As the pickleball and padel industries grow rapidly, the need for courts is also accelerating.
Builders, real estate investors, hospitality brands, and developers have gotten creative with where to put those courts.
The ideal courts require spaces that are easily accessible, have convenient parking, are well-lit for night play, and can withstand changes in weather. Although padel requires a relatively small footprint, high ceilings are required. Racquetball needs a wall. The only racquet sport that's "plug and play" is table tennis.
We at RacquetX have curated some of the unique court developments in existence and underway.
Here are our top five discoveries:
- Pickleball at Sea: The entire Holland America fleet has pickleball courts and other cruise lines are getting on board with the trend.
- On the Water: Cruise ships aren't the only way courts can float. This luxury floating padel court is in a Dubai marina. Not enough land to build? Look at a lake.
- Padel in an Old Train Yard: In the UK, a site that originally housed 20 locomotives may soon be the home to 10 Padel Courts.
- Shopping Malls: Picklemall is the most aptly-named brand, but developers also have their eyes (and wallets) set on large spaces previously occupied by anchor stores in U.S. shopping centers. Strip malls are as likely to house indoor pickleball facilities as hair salons and fast-food restaurants. Holding companies are even offering investors opportunities to buy into indoor pickleball franchises.
- Electric Plant: Known as "Padel Plant," this new Virginia development will also offer a social gathering place. The structure combines both historic charm and modern-day appeal.
- Prisons, Airports, Office Buildings, Rooftops, and Even On-Stage at Music Concerts: The demand for gameplay is so great that wherever large populations hang out, you might find consumers dinking. And, of course, home builders and developers are putting courts into backyards, gathering areas, and other locations.
- Pop-ups: are a great way to build traffic to public spaces and showcase pro talent. Check out this one, featuring Andy Murray in Europe's biggest shopping center.
But the opportunities aren't limited to the courts.
Many new facilities are also offering food and beverage options. The eatertainment sector has been given a huge boost by the racquetsports surge as consumers of all ages meet to dine, drink, and play.
What if you can find a great place but lack a court time or partner? New technology is helping players find matches wherever they are!
The oddest location we found?
A refurbished manure plant in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania probably wins that point!
So, whether you're building a pickleball or padel court...using abandoned land or building...or just thinking about how to place or expand a facility you can learn from the best at RacquetX.
We built nine courts inside the Miami Convention Center! Not quite as quirky as a train yard, but fun and challenging none-the-less.
HUGE shout-out to the companies that helped make this vision a reality!