PlayBlue Gets KL Rahul as Investor and Brand Ambassador
Cricketer KL Rahul has invested an undisclosed amount in PlayBlue, which raised a $2.7 million seed round co-led by Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global in July.
Key Takeaways
- KL Rahul has invested in PlayBlue and joined as its brand ambassador.
- The size of Rahul's investment was not disclosed.
- PlayBlue raised $2.7 million (Rs 25.7 crore) in seed funding in July 2026.
- Its 20,000 sq ft Koramangala flagship store and app launch on November 14, 2026.
- PlayBlue said it plans more than 100 stores across 25 Indian cities in five years.
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Cricketer KL Rahul has invested in PlayBlue, a multi-brand sports retailer opening its first store in Bengaluru, and has joined the company as its brand ambassador. The size of his investment was not disclosed. The deal was announced on November 12, 2026, two days before PlayBlue's planned launch of its flagship store and mobile app on November 14.
Rahul joins PlayBlue's earlier backers. In July 2026, the startup raised $2.7 million (Rs 25.7 crore) in a seed round co-led by Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global, with WEH Ventures also taking part. Rahul has also backed other startups, including Boldfit, Flam, XYXX and Metaman.
PlayBlue funding at a glance
| Detail | PlayBlue |
|---|---|
| New investor | KL Rahul, cricketer |
| Amount | Not disclosed |
| Rahul's role | Investor and brand ambassador |
| Earlier round | $2.7 million (Rs 25.7 crore) seed, July 2026 |
| Seed lead investors | Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global |
| Other seed investor | WEH Ventures |
| Sector | Multi-brand sports retail, in stores and online |
| First store | Koramangala, Bengaluru |
What PlayBlue does
PlayBlue sells sports gear from many brands under one roof and through its own app. Its range covers sports apparel, footwear, equipment, accessories, recovery products and sports nutrition, for everyone from beginners to experienced athletes.
Its first store is a 20,000 sq ft flagship on 80 Feet Road in Koramangala, Bengaluru. The store has three retail floors, a cafe level and a rooftop terrace, and will carry more than 75 sports and lifestyle brands. Shoppers can try gait analysis, treadmill-based footwear testing and cricket bat sensors, and get racquet stringing, bat knocking and cycle servicing. The rooftop, called The Playground, has a pickleball court, a one-on-one futsal turf and a cricket net with a bowling machine. The PlayBlue app will offer quick deliveries across Bengaluru and two-day delivery to the rest of India.
PlayBlue's journey so far
| When | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Founded by Satyam Trivedi, former CEO of GMR Sports, and Jayam Vora, a former Cult.fit executive |
| July 2026 | Raised $2.7 million (Rs 25.7 crore) in a seed round co-led by Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global, with WEH Ventures |
| November 12, 2026 | Announced KL Rahul as investor and brand ambassador |
| November 14, 2026 | Planned launch of the Koramangala flagship store and the PlayBlue app |
KL Rahul and PlayBlue's founders on the new partnership
"What I like about PlayBlue is its vision of making quality sports products more accessible while building a stronger sporting culture."
"Having worked closely with KL over the years in the IPL, partnering with him for a third time at PlayBlue is truly special."
"We’re building the store we wanted to walk into ourselves. Having KL Rahul on board as both an investor and our ambassador gives us a partner who knows what the right gear means to someone who plays."
Where PlayBlue stands before its Bengaluru launch
PlayBlue now counts KL Rahul among its investors, alongside the backers of its $2.7 million seed round from July 2026. It opens its first store in Koramangala and its app on November 14, and the company said it plans to grow to more than 100 stores across 25 Indian cities over the next five years.
More funding news
Frequently Asked Questions
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