The venture will bring together more than 75 brands, equipment-testing services and recreational sports facilities across its Bengaluru flagship and digital platform
Indian cricketer KL Rahul has invested in PlayBlue, a multi-brand sports retailer entering the Indian market with a 20,000 sq ft flagship store in Bengaluru and a digital platform scheduled to launch on November 14. The company has also appointed Rahul as its brand ambassador, although the amount of his investment has not been disclosed.
Located on 80 Feet Road in Bengaluru’s Koramangala neighbourhood, the flagship store will bring together more than 75 sports and lifestyle brands across apparel, footwear, sporting equipment, accessories, recovery products and sports nutrition. The facility will span three retail floors, a café level and a rooftop terrace.
PlayBlue is looking to extend its offering beyond conventional sports retail by incorporating services that allow customers to assess products before purchasing them. These include gait analysis, treadmill-based footwear testing and cricket bat sensors. The store will also offer racquet stringing, bat knocking and bicycle servicing.
Its rooftop space, called The Playground, will feature a pickleball court, futsal turf and a cricket net equipped with a bowling machine. The area will also host community classes and sporting events, adding recreational and community-led activities to the retail experience.
Alongside its physical presence, the company’s digital application will offer quick deliveries across Bengaluru, while orders placed from other parts of India will have a two-day delivery timeline. Through its online and offline channels, PlayBlue aims to bring product selection, equipment testing, expert guidance and delivery together under one platform.
Rahul’s association with the company will involve both an investment in the business and representing the brand through marketing campaigns and consumer-facing initiatives. He is not expected to attend the flagship store opening as he is currently in New Zealand with the Indian cricket team. According to media report, the wicketkeeper-batter is among the players who have moved from the ODI squad to join the Test contingent for red-ball preparations.
Commenting on his association with the venture, Rahul said, “For any athlete, the right equipment and preparation matter the most. Whether it’s finding the right bat, the right pair of shoes or the right training gear, these things can make a real difference to how you play and perform. What I like about PlayBlue is its vision of making quality sports products more accessible while building a stronger sporting culture. PlayBlue is creating a space that makes that journey easier and more exciting. I’m happy to come on board as an investor and brand ambassador, and excited to be part of what they’re building,” Rahul was quoted as saying in an official press release.
The investment adds to Rahul’s portfolio of startup associations across sports, apparel and athlete wellness. His other investments include XYXX, 4CAST and Boldfit, which operate across innerwear, sports-related products and fitness and wellness.
