Table of Contents
It’s not just a fad: Pickleball is exploding in popularity across the US. In communities coast to coast, public tennis courts are transforming into 2x2 grids of pickleball courts, and indoor facilities are popping up just as rapidly.
USA Pickleball reports that 4,000 new pickleball locations and over 18,000 new courts opened in the U.S. in 2024.
As the pickleball industry grows, so does the need for pickleball leagues and clubs. That’s where you come in: starting a pickleball club is a great investment in your community, one that helps to develop players and grow a love for the game. Here’s what you need to know about how to get started, including a step-by-step guide to launch and sustain a successful pickleball club in your community.
Who is the target audience for pickleball clubs?
One of the appeals of pickleball is its broad approachability: most people from ages 8 to 88 can pick up a paddle and play. But if your goal is to start a pickleball club, your target audience wouldn’t be quite this broad.
Successful pickleball clubs tend to narrow their audiences, or at least keep them relatively separate:
- Pro and pro-aspiring players want competitive play, regimented schedules, and competition-grade courts and court surfaces. They don’t want to compete with casual players for court space.
- Serious regulars want flexibility amid structure, but these pickleball enthusiasts don’t want to feel self-conscious around pros or frustrated by casuals.
- Social players play for fun and exercise. They prefer open play and relaxed court environments, and they may seek some training (often in groups).
- Beginners and casual players might not know what they want yet, but they may be uncomfortable around pros and serious players.
So before you launch a pickleball club, think through which of these audiences you want to court, plus how you’ll cater to or integrate them.
What makes a good pickleball club?
Building a successful, sustainable pickleball club takes more than courts and nets. Clubs that stand out include elements like:
- Welcoming atmosphere: No matter which audience you cater to, players want to feel valued and welcome.
- Attractive programs and events: Players appreciate active clubs that put on a variety of interesting programs and events.
- Social interaction and community-building: Pickleball is a highly social sport, so lean into its friendly, community-oriented element.
- Quality equipment and facility: Players can find free courts at the local park. They come to you (and pay you) for a better experience, which extends to your pickleball facility and equipment.
- Fair and transparent policies: Create a fair and inclusive club, document your rules and policies, and clearly communicate them to your players.
Steps to start a successful pickleball club
Considering launching a pickleball club where you live? Here’s your step-by-step guide to starting a successful one:
1. Define your vision and create a business plan
First up is focus. It might seem exciting to go after every pickleball player in a 30-mile radius, but there’s a better way. Instead, focus on the type of player that’s right for the kind of club you want to run.
In other words, define your vision:
- What’s your purpose?
- What audience are you pursuing?
- What are your members/prospective members focused on?
- What do you want your club’s culture to be like?
- What are your long-term goals (what does success look like in a year, in five years, etc.)?
Here’s why it’s a good idea to focus: you can’t be the best club for every single player or type of player. But chances are you can be the best for certain members.
By defining your vision and crafting a business plan to match, you’ll create a clear roadmap for growth that will guide you for years to come.
Speaking of business plans: this is a document that describes how your business will function, including what services it will offer, how it will make money, who its customers are, and how you’ll structure your pickleball business.
Elements to include in your pickleball business plan:
- Target pickleballers (audience/customers)
- Business model
- Membership and pricing models
- Hours and seasonality (e.g., year-round or seasonal)
- Programming
- Unique selling points (USPs)
2. Gauge local interest
Next up is determining the level of interest in the community, along with where, geographically, that interest is. Pay attention to how many local pickleball clubs already exist, where they are, and what kinds of players they cater to. This is a great way for entrepreneurs to identify market gaps that show which type of new club would perform best in a location.
Other ways to gauge local interest include informal conversations at public courts in your area, introductory events at a rented facility (existing sports facilities may be able to accommodate temporary courts, for example), or market surveys.
3. Evaluate legal and administrative considerations
If you haven’t already outlined these elements in your business plan, now’s the time to decide how you’ll structure your organization and maintain legal compliance.
First, structure. Your club will either be a nonprofit or a for-profit entity. If it’s a for-profit business, you’ll need to work out which entity/structure is best for your situation. Most clubs are set up as an LLC to give the owner some liability protection. If you’re in a partnership or have outside investors, make sure your legal structure accounts for those elements as well.
Second, permits and licenses. You’ll likely need a business license and may need a permit to run this type of business, depending on state and local regulations. If you’re building a new facility or retrofitting an old one, you’ll also need the right building permits.
Third, insurance. You should consult with a lawyer who specializes in new business formation and understands sports contexts. In general, you’ll need liability insurance and policies to protect the property and/or structure your athletes use.
4. Secure a location
Next, you’ll need to nail down where your club will play its matches. If you’re building your own facility, then location is more about real estate, market saturation, and strategic placement.
But if you’re looking to rent or reserve suitable space for your club to play (space you don’t own or manage), then your considerations are a little different. You’ll need to balance cost, location, facility size (number of courts), and schedule availability. USA Pickleball and Pickleheads offer a global court finder that can help you locate possible facilities near you.
5. Organize leadership and roles
Your club likely won’t be a one-person operation — at least not for long. Separating responsibilities into defined roles (even if many are volunteer roles at the beginning) helps to spread out the workload and ensure everything gets done.
Now is the time to do this organizational work and to start filling up those slots as you’re able.
6. Create club rules and structure
Based on your answers to the questions about vision laid out in step 1, create your club’s guidelines for membership. For example:
- Do you have skill level requirements?
- What does good etiquette look like for your club?
- What play formats does the club use? Are any prohibited?
- What policies do you have for fairness and safety?
- What rules must a member follow to remain in the club?
This might not come naturally, but it’s worth the effort. Defining these elements clearly now will likely reduce disagreements and hassles once your club is up and running.
7. Secure and set up finances
Even if you’re setting up a club as a volunteer, your pickleball club’s expenses have to be paid. And if you’re creating a for-profit business, you need to bring in enough money to cover expenses, pay yourself and staff, and maintain a profit.
Membership fees and sponsorships are as old as club sports themselves. Make sure your projected revenues from these sources are sufficient to keep the lights on.
Consider collecting dues and other fees through a club website. Some sports website builders, including Jersey Watch, allow you to create forms and collect funds directly on your site.
Fundraisers are another strong option, especially for nonprofit clubs and youth organizations. Post your fundraiser on your club site or blog, and share it on social media and with your audience of players, members, and parents.
8. Choose club management software
Managing your club well takes the right digital tools. You need club management software to register athletes and teams, communicate effectively with club members, collect online payments and forms, and more.
Jersey Watch is an ideal club management software solution for pickleball clubs. It makes creating a club website simple and fast, and all the other tools you need are here, too:
- Communication
- Registration
- Scheduling
- Payments
- Updates and media
- Website builder
👀 See Jersey Watch in action: Explore our sports club management tools
9. Get equipment and supplies
While the specifics depend on factors like your venue and player level, every pickleball club needs some equipment. It’s a good idea to have plenty of extra pickleball paddles and balls for use as loaners. If your club plays in spaces that aren’t purpose-built for the sport, a portable net set or two could be a worthwhile investment.
10. Promote the club
As you launch your club, it’s crucial to get the word out. Use every available channel to spread the word about your club so you can attract the members you need and keep interest growing in the community.
In-person networking and marketing are key. Ask to put cards or flyers in local sports shops, cafes, and any other relevant businesses where your target audience shops. Attend events and spread the word about your club. As you start attracting members, encourage them to spread the word with their personal networks.
The other main method to reach prospective members is through digital promotion. Social media, paid search advertising, and organic content marketing and SEO can all help more people find — and hopefully join — your club.
11. Build community and retain members
As members join, you’ll work on nurturing your pickleball community, adding new members, and keeping the ones you have.
The culture of your club goes a long way here: when a pickleball club feels like an extended family, people enjoy the camaraderie and relationships. When it feels like cutthroat competition, not so much. (Unless you’re building an elite, highly competitive club, of course. It all depends on your audience!)
Recognizing member contributions (such as volunteerism or donations) can show members how they’re valued, and seeking feedback from members gives them a voice that encourages them to stay in the club.
Launch and manage your pickleball club with Jersey Watch
Launching a new pickleball club can be a great way to invest in your community, nurturing a love of the game. Getting the launch right is a vital first step, but make sure you’re prepared for what comes next. Many club leaders and volunteers may struggle with managing the day-to-day details, communicating with club members, scheduling facility usage, handling court reservations, and the list goes on.
Jersey Watch’s club management software helps club managers cut through the chaos. Our all-in-one platform equips you to manage well, giving you a central hub built around a club website where you can handle registrations, schedules, communication, payments, and sponsorships and donations.
Explore a better way to manage your pickleball club with Jersey Watch: Sign up now.
