BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Sri Lanka has taken a major step into the rapidly growing world of pickleball with the official launch of the inaugural Ceylon Pickle League (CPL), the country’s first-ever franchise-based pickleball competition.
The groundbreaking league was officially unveiled during a press conference held at Havelock City Mall on May 27, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of emerging sports in Sri Lanka.
Scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18 at the Colombo Pickle Club, the league promises to introduce a new sporting and entertainment experience by combining professional competition, franchise ownership, player auctions, live broadcasting, and fan engagement initiatives under one platform.
The tournament is owned and organised by Eventistry Sports in partnership with the Ceylon Pickle League, with organisers aiming to establish pickleball as one of the country’s fastest-growing sports properties.
Even before its inaugural season begins, the league has generated strong interest, with all eight franchise teams reportedly sold out ahead of the official launch.
Eight Franchise Teams Confirmed
The inaugural CPL season will feature the following franchises:
- Colombo Aces
- Trinco Titans
- Weligama Sharks
- Ella Archers
- Kandy Knights
- Yaal Dinkers
- Bentota Nyners
- Galle Kings
Matheesha Pathirana Invests in Franchise
Adding significant star appeal to the league is Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who has officially acquired ownership of the Yaal Dinkers franchise.
Pathirana’s involvement represents a major crossover between mainstream professional cricket and the rapidly expanding pickleball ecosystem, highlighting the growing commercial appeal of the sport.
International Participation and Multiple Categories
The inaugural edition will feature competition across several divisions, including:
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Men’s Singles
- Masters Doubles
Organisers have also confirmed the participation of international players from India, adding further competitive depth and regional appeal to the tournament.
A professional player auction is also expected to be held later this year, bringing a franchise recruitment model similar to leading global sports leagues and adding another layer of excitement to team-building strategies.
Building the Future of Modern Sport
Speaking at the launch, Eventistry Sports Founder Karin Wijeratne said the vision behind the league extends well beyond pickleball itself.
According to Wijeratne, the objective is to create a modern sports property that combines competition, entertainment, franchise culture, media production, personalities, and fan engagement into a single experience.
He noted that pickleball is experiencing explosive global growth and believes Sri Lanka has a genuine opportunity to become part of that international movement.
Eventistry Sports has established itself as one of Sri Lanka’s leading sports marketing and entertainment companies through its involvement in major events such as the Lanka Premier League, Davis Cup, Asia Rugby tournaments, and Olympic-related campaigns, while also creating original sports properties including the Sri Lanka Padel League and Ceylon Golf League.
Representing the league, Co-Founder Subraja Subramaniam described the launch as a landmark moment for pickleball in Sri Lanka and a major step toward establishing the sport on a larger national platform.
With franchise ownership now secured and anticipation building ahead of the player auction, organisers are expected to announce additional team owners, player signings, commercial partnerships, and fan experiences in the coming months.
The launch of the Ceylon Pickle League signals the arrival of a new era for pickleball in Sri Lanka and could potentially transform the way emerging sports are developed, marketed, and consumed in the country.
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