LEAPMOTOR, which launched in Australia just last year, has announced a sponsorship deal that has seen the Chinese importer become the official automotive partner for the National Pickleball League (NPL).

Throughout 2026, the brand will be represented at every major NPL event – including the ahm NPL Season Finals and the Leapmotor NPL Championships for which it serves as the title sponsor – and at key venues such as The Jar South Melbourne and The Jar Maidstone; the latter opening in June of this year.

The sponsorship deal also entails community activations, a shared content program, a courtside presence, and exclusive benefits for members of both Leapmotor and the NPL.

Both the NPL and Leapmotor are relatively new to the Australian market. The NPL was founded in 2022, while Leapmotor’s first model – the C10 SUV – was launched locally in late 2024.

Led by the B10 small electric SUV, Leapmotor has delivered 420 cars in Australia in 2026, more than double that of the same period last year. The NPL appears to recognise this momentum.

NPL CEO Ron Shell said: “Leapmotor is a brand that has arrived in Australia with real momentum and a genuine point of difference – and that’s exactly the kind of partner we want alongside us as we grow. Our community is young, active, and increasingly mainstream. They care about the brands they associate with.

“Having Leapmotor as part of the NPL – not just at our events, but inside our venues and woven through our content – is a partnership we think both communities will feel.”

Pickleball is considered to be the fastest growing sport in Australia, which is reflected in the NPL’s own plans for growth.

NPL CEO Ron Shell

Announcing a partnership with Tennis Australia last year, Mr Shell spoke of plans for the NPL to reach “one Million players by 2028.”

This growth – along with Pickleball’s urban-based, health and value-conscious demographic – aligns with Leapmotor’s brand values according to its Australian marketing and communications director Joanne Stogiannis.

“Pickleball’s growth reflects a shift toward more social, accessible and active lifestyles, which aligns strongly with Leapmotor’s brand and our approach to the Australian market,” she said.

Joanne Stogiannis

“Partnering with the National Pickleball League allows us to connect with a community that’s open to innovation and smart value, while supporting the continued growth of one of Australia’s most exciting emerging sports.”

The NPL isn’t the only organisation that Leapmotor has recently added to its sponsorship portfolio, having announced a partnership with surf park operator URBNSURF at the end of March of this year.