At this point, you know Pickleball has become a cultural phenomena that has captured the attention of young and old players alike. The sport, which was invented in 1965, was played by 36.5 million people in the United States in 2022. Known as the “fastest growing sport in America”, Pickleball spots and clubs have been sprouting up to accommodate the growing number of players across the nation.

So if you’re interested in the game and would like to franchise a Pickleball club near you this guide will help explain the current franchising options. Read on below to get all the details you need in starting your own Pickleball club or take our 7-minute franchise quiz to find a custom opportunity built for you. 

Can You Franchise a Pickleball Club?

A Pickleball club is a facility where courts are available for people to play the game. The game is often described as a mix of badminton and tennis wherein a ball is hit by paddles across a net. The court looks similar to a tennis court, but is smaller in size. Clubs can have indoor and outdoor courts. Demand for Pickleball clubs have been increasing as the number of new players discover and grow to love the game.

In the United States there are several Pickleball clubs that have already popped up. Here are a small handful of them:

• Ace Pickleball Club (Fort Wayne, Indiana and Roswell, Georgia)
• The Pickleball Club (Lakewood Ranch)
• Dill Dinkers Pickleball (Columbia, Finksburg, North Bethesda, Rockville, Manassas)

In response to increased demand, more franchise opportunities are becoming available to entrepreneurs and investors.

What Pickleball franchises are available right now?

You can franchise a Pickleball club near you but each franchise has their own set of guidelines and requirements. Here are some of the requirements you can expect from the clubs mentioned above:

Ace Pickleball Club

• Sizes vary but the area is approximately 25,000 to 40,000 square feet
• 8 to 16 courts
• Multiple franchising available (minimum 3)

The Pickleball Club

This club does not offer franchises as of the moment but they are open for investors to build 15 clubs. No rate has been posted but they have the following details made available about the size of their facilities:

• 34,000 to 40,000 square feet
• 12 to 16 indoor pickleball courts and multiple outdoor courts

Dill Dinkers Pickleball

• The fees above are for a single-club development and depend on the size of the courts.
• Royalty fee is 8% of sales

Pickleball racket as a gift.

How Do Pickleball Franchises Work & Make Money?

Here are the main ways a Pickleball business will generate revenue.

Courts

To play Pickleball, you’ll need a space that’s 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. You’ll also need a net with a certain height of 36 inches at the sides and 34 inches in the middle. Similar to other sports like golf, you need the correct space and facilities to accommodate playing Pickleball. This is why you need courts in a dedicated place.

Indoor Pickleball facility.

Pickleball franchised clubs earn money from renting these courts to players. Clubs also offer indoor and outdoor courts so players can choose which area they can play year rounder, including the winter months or rain.

Membership Fees

Just like going to the gym to avail of the equipment and facilities, Pickleball clubs also charge monthly membership fees. These monthly fees can range from $200 a month per player. A membership usually comes with access to showers, a locker room,, free water, and common areas where players can mingle. The fee is paid on a monthly or yearly basis.

Training and Classes 

If you’re already a pro at Pickleball, you can become a trainer and hold clinics or classes on-site at the facility. You could offer classes for beginning players to experts. Pickleball ratings range from 1.0 to 5.5+, with 1.0 representing beginners and 5.5 or above indicating players of professional caliber. Of course, you could also charge for 1 on 1 training from an expert coach.

Equipment

To play Pickleball, you’ll need a paddle, a net, and a Pickleball which is usually small yellow ball with holes. There are special balls for indoor and outdoor use. Pickleball franchises make money by either selling pickleball equipment and apparel or making items available for rent.

Hosting Tournaments

To generate revenue from a pickleball tournament, start by charging participants an entry fee for registration. You could charge for different categories of players (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) and age groups to maximize revenue. Charging players for entry fees is one of the top ways to profit from an event like this.

Approach local businesses and Pickleball equipment brands for sponsorships, offering them advertising opportunities during the event. Charge spectators an entrance fee and consider offering premium seating or VIP packages.

Of course, you can also allow food and beverage vendors to set up stalls for a fee or a percentage of their sales. Sell tournament-themed merchandise, such as t-shirts and caps. Organize raffles or auctions with prizes donated by sponsors. Lastly, if possible, live stream the matches and monetize through ads or pay-per-view options. The skies the limit in terms of revenue from an event like this.

How big is the Pickleball industry?

As mentioned above, the Pickleball sport is played by over 36.5 million people. The global market on pickleball equipment is also valued at $65.64 billion in the year 2022 and is expected to reach $155.4 billion in 2033. And if that isn’t enough to impress you, big time athletes such as Tom Brady, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant are reported to be investing in professional Pickleball teams.

So how big is this industry? Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in the United States with an estimated value of more than $2.3 billion by 2028.

Why is pickleball growing so fast?

Pickleball has been around since 1965 but the sport is seeing a surge in popularity right now. Some attribute its popularity when the pandemic hit. Since people were required to socially distance themselves, people turned to playing pickleball to find a way to stay outdoors and still have fun. Another reason is that a wide age range of players can compete in the sport. I regularly compete with my father and mother in law who are in their 60s and 70s.

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Since the sport is also a mix of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, the sport is easy to learn. Equipment also come at an affordable rate so it’s not too expensive to own a paddle unlike for example golf.

Who is playing Pickleball?

Here are some well-known personalities who have picked up Pickleball in recent years:

• Tom Brady
• Lebron James
• Kevin Durant
• Selena Gomez
• Emma Watson
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• George Clooney
• Will Ferrel
• Luis Guzmán
• Kelly Rowland
• Billie Eilish
• Matthew Perry
• Serena Williams
• The Kardashians

What age range?

The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) report that the average age that plays pickleball is 34.8 years old. Boomers used to dominate the age group that played pickleball but recently, the sport is starting to be dominated by younger players.

Is Pickleball a fad?

Pickleball is huge as of the moment but many are wondering if it’s just a fad. One Reddit post says that it could be between a yes and a no. The sport may be surging in popularity now and it might just level out through the years. However, many still do believe that the sport will still be well-known and played by many in the coming years.

While it’s impossible to accurately predict the future, Pickleball looks like its here to stay for the next 5 – 10 years. As more people continue to play the game and then tell friends about it, the game will continue to expand.

What’s the demand for Pickleball facilities?

According to a report by Sportico, the popularity of pickleball has led to a demand for more courts to be built. The construction in the United States may exceed $900 million to accommodate the needs of the players across the country.

Players need a place to play year round.

Is Pickleball a Profitable Business?

As of the moment, Pickleball remains to be a profitable business because of the demand and popularity it brings. As you can see above there are a variety of ways that Pickleball businesses can increase their revenue from equipment sales to membership fees, coaching classes, and hosting tournaments. If you live in an area that doesn’t have enough courts this could be a lucrative business opportunity.

Before investing in a Pickleball franchise, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research due to the rising competition in the industry. As pickleball gains popularity, more entrepreneurs are recognizing its potential, leading to an influx of new franchises and independent courts.

This heightened competition means that certain markets may become saturated, making it challenging for new entrants to secure a significant market share or achieve profitability. Additionally, consumers will become more discerning, seeking out the best facilities, services, and experiences. Without proper research, you risk investing in a location or market segment that’s already oversaturated or not aligned with consumer preferences.

Understanding the competitive landscape, consumer demographics, and market trends will enable you to make informed decisions, optimize your offerings, and position the franchise for multi-year success.