News DeskDubai, UAE – Pickleball, the world’s fastest growing sport, has announced the launch of the new Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), the PWR World Series, and the PWR World Tour. The announcement was made during a significant event held in Dubai, UAE, highlighting the sport’s global surge in popularity. The GCC region was named as the host for the first PWR World Series in March 2025, an event backed by Pickleball League Asia Private Limited in partnership with The Times Group.
The PWR aims to unify regional bodies under a single structure to enhance governance and ensure the sport’s longevity. The announcement featured key figures from international Pickleball bodies and some of the world’s top players, including Megan Fudge DeHeart, the women’s world number one on the APP Tour.
Pranav Kohli, CEO and Founder of PWR, emphasized the sport’s humble beginnings in the backyards of America in the sixties and its evolution into a global phenomenon. He expressed his honor in being part of the creation of the Pickleball World Rankings, PWR World Series, and PWR World Tour, and his excitement for taking the sport to the next level both on and off the court.
Kohli announced that the PWR World Tour will offer USD $15 million in prize money, with USD $1.5 million allocated for the GCC stop in the PWR World Series. This prize pool is the highest ever offered in the sport. He hopes that current stars and future champions from the United States and around the world will rise through the rankings and reach their full potential, engaging millions of global followers.
He also highlighted the strategic choice of the GCC region for the announcement, citing its ambition, visionary leadership, and positive societal changes that align with the sport’s growth.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, expressed pride in being an anchor investor in PWR, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative that unifies the global Pickleball community. Jain believes that Pickleball will soon overtake Tennis in terms of participation and views PWR as a platform that will empower players worldwide to compete and showcase their talents on an international stage.
Pickleball has already gained worldwide recognition, enjoyed by celebrities such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Taylor Swift. It is the fastest-growing sport in the USA and is poised to become the fastest-growing sport globally.
