Pickleball Brands Keep Expanding As Boom Shows No Signs Of Slowing

Other racket sports like Padel may be gaining momentum in the U.S., but developers and operators are still all-in on pickleball

It’s become a challenge to go anywhere without spotting a pickleball court, or, to the dismay of some basketball players, finding their familiar courts converted for pickleball play.

The all-ages-friendly sport may feel saturated, yet the reality is very different as developers and operators continue to build pickleball into their long-term plans as both an amenity and a social experience.

If anything, the infrastructure around pickleball is getting bigger and harder to ignore, based on the latest developments.

The Biggest Indoor Player Keeps Growing

Pickleball Kingdom, which calls itself “the world’s largest indoor pickleball entity,” is adding nine new clubs before the end of 2025 and five more in January.

The rapid buildout is happening across established and emerging markets and now includes international expansion. Earlier this month, the brand announced India as its first global move, with more than 400 locations already awarded across the U.S.

Founder and CEO Ace Rodrigues says the speed at which clubs are opening is growing at an exponential level.

“Our growth has built worldwide momentum,” he said. “The demand for playing the sport in one of our quality facilities reflects how strongly our model is connecting with players.”

Rodrigues expects 2026 to be the brand’s biggest year yet, predicting hundreds of thousands of new members.

The brand is also leaning into accessibility. Pickleball Kingdom Watchung in New Jersey is set to open next month with 15 courts, including two designed for wheelchair pickleball players, according to NJ Advance Media.

Pickleball Enters the Luxury Tier

Beyond franchising, pickleball’s staying power is also showing up in communities known for established sport and lifestyle programs.

Windsor, a 416-acre private sporting community in Florida where King Charles once played polo, and the Swarovski family owns a home, is expanding its pickleball and padel offerings to meet demand.

The new courts are slated to open in spring 2026, while a fitness and wellness Center featuring dedicated studios for cardio, strength and flexibility training, along with sauna, steam and spa treatment rooms, is expected to be completed in late 2027.

“Pickleball and padel are bringing a new energy to racquet sports, and we’re excited to offer our members premier facilities for both,” Windsor’s director of racquets Jony Leitenbauer said. “These additions are part of our continuous effort to thoughtfully evolve our sporting amenities in ways that enrich the daily lives of our members.”

Low-Price Gyms Are Getting On Board

Value gyms are also folding pickleball into their accessible, budget-friendly model.

YouFit Gyms, a Southeast-based high-value, low-price (HVLP) chain with 53 locations, is opening two new clubs in South Florida, including a Boynton Beach site that will feature two full-size pickleball courts. In Queens, New York, Retro Fitness of Forest Hills introduced two pickleball courts this past August, kicking off the launch with a community celebration.

HVLP giant Crunch Fitness has taken a different route, exploring pickleball programming. Last year, the fitness franchise hosted an eight-week, circuit-based fitness class called “Pickleballers” at six locations across New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles in collaboration with sports booking platform Break the Love.

Pickleball as a Social Venue

There’s also a growing category treating pickleball less like a sport and more like a night out with a “stay, play and engage” approach with something for everyone.

The Pickle Pad, a pickleball entertainment concept, is expanding nationally with venues that combine the sport with complementary brands such as Altitude Trampoline Park and chef-driven dining, along with curated group events and family-friendly social environments. The brand has seven locations in development, with new sites slated to open in North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia and Alabama in 2026.

“As we close out the year, we’re seeing incredible momentum and enthusiasm for The Pickle Pad,” said Chris Kuehn, president of the brand’s parent company, Indoor Active Brands. “Each new signing and opening reflects how powerfully our concept resonates with today’s consumers who crave connection, play and memorable experiences.”

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