Sony LIV to Exclusively Stream WPBL Season 2's 120 Matches in India

Sony LIV has secured exclusive digital rights to stream every match of World Pickleball League Season 2, a move that substantially raises the sport's profile in India and across the region. The league announced the deal on January 20, 2026, confirming live and on-demand coverage of an expanded 120-match schedule staged over 13 days in India. The season features 56 players from multiple countries across seven franchise teams backed by high-profile owners and is organised under the All India Pickleball Association and affiliated regional bodies.

The broadcast agreement converts a fast-growing niche into mainstream viewing potential. For fans, live streaming and on-demand access mean more opportunities to follow tactical intricacies such as dink exchanges, third-shot drops, and rapid volleying that define high-level pickleball. For players and franchises, the platform amplifies exposure and commercial value for athletes who previously relied on local tournaments and social media to build profiles.

Season 2's festival-style matchday presentation alters team dynamics and performance demands. A compact schedule of 120 matches across 13 days places a premium on roster depth, rotation strategies, and recovery protocols. Coaches will have to balance aggressive pairings with workload management to avoid fatigue while exploiting matchups. The presence of 56 international players raises competitive standards and should produce sharper on-court narratives as teams test combinations and specialist lineups.

From an industry perspective, Sony LIV's exclusive rights signal growing OTT appetite for alternative sports content in India. Streaming platforms are increasingly courting live sports to boost subscriber engagement and advertising inventory, and pickleball's fast-paced, social-media-friendly format fits neatly into short-form content strategies and in-app highlight reels. Franchise-backed ownership and a longer match calendar provide clearer sponsorship inventory and merchandising opportunities, which can drive franchise valuations and local partnerships.

Culturally, hosting Season 2 in India and broadcasting it widely bolsters pickleball's accessibility. The sport's low-cost, low-barrier entry and intergenerational appeal have driven rapid grassroots uptake; national streaming will likely accelerate court construction, club formation, and youth programs. The All India Pickleball Association's role in coordinating the league with regional bodies reinforces governance and talent pathways, potentially feeding talent into international competition.

Socially, broader visibility fosters inclusion by showcasing diverse athlete profiles and increasing role models for women and men alike. As matches reach living rooms across cities and towns, community courts and school programs may see higher participation, linking health, social interaction, and talent discovery.

What comes next is viewership data and sponsor traction. Season 2 is now set to be the first major test of pickleball's commercial scalability in India: strong streaming numbers would validate franchise investment, deepen broadcast partnerships, and turn festival-style matchdays into must-watch programming for an expanding audience.