Big Brands Go Sporty! McDonald's, Zomato & ITC Invest in Pickleball & Padel Boom - Is This India's Next Marketing Goldmine?

Consumer Products

|

Updated on 13 Nov 2025, 08:33 am

Major Indian consumer companies are strategically shifting their marketing focus towards emerging sports like pickleball and padel to enhance consumer engagement and cultural relevance. McDonald's India (West and South) is supporting padel infrastructure, while Nazara Technologies' subsidiary acquired an Indian Pickleball League franchise. Zomato's parent, Eternal Ltd, plans to integrate court booking for premium sports, and ITC Foods has partnered with the All India Pickleball Association. This trend is driven by the appeal of sports, offering emotional intensity and built-in communities, making them potent marketing vehicles, described as the 'new Bollywood'. Emerging sports like pickleball, padel, and teqball signal a shift in India's recreational culture and offer significant opportunities in the fitness and leisure market. The pickleball market, for instance, is projected to grow at a 26% CAGR from 2024-2029, with participation expected to surpass one million players in India by 2028. Companies benefit from sharper reach on digital channels, better brand recall, and increased loyalty, although clear metrics for ROI remain crucial. Athlete endorsements are also growing, reaching ₹1,224 crore in 2024.

Impact This trend is likely to positively impact the brand perception and potential revenue of companies investing in these sports, particularly in the consumer discretionary sector. It also indicates growth opportunities in the sports infrastructure and related services market within India. The indirect impact on the Indian stock market could be seen in consumer-focused stocks and companies venturing into sports tech or event management. Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms: Padel: A racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court smaller than a squash court, combining elements of tennis and squash. Pickleball: A paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played on a smaller court. Franchise: A business owner's legal right to use a franchisor's system and brand for a fee, typically involving royalties. Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, such as roads, power, and communication systems. CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): The mean annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year, providing a smoothed rate of return. Brand recall: The extent to which consumers can correctly recall or recognize a brand and its products or services. ROI (Return on Investment): A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or compare the efficiency of a number of different investments.