Starting your own pickleball club might feel like a big leap, especially if you’ve never run a business before. But if you’re passionate about the game, have noticed crowded public courts, and have a vision for a better playing experience, you’re already ahead of the curve.
This guide is for entrepreneurial beginners who want to turn their love of pickleball into a thriving club with real facilities, memberships, and a buzzing community. Here’s what the journey looks like, from idea to grand opening.
Step 1: Dream Big, Then Get Specific
It all starts with an idea. Maybe you wish there were more courts near you, or you’re tired of long waits at public parks. Take that spark and start shaping it into something real.
Get clear on what kind of club you want to build:
- Will it be indoor or outdoor?
- Will you focus on social play, competitive leagues, or both?
- Will it be private with memberships or open to the public?
- Do you want to include amenities like a lounge, pro shop, or snack bar?
Sketch your concept on paper or in a simple document. Outline what your ideal club would include: how many courts you’ll need, what kind of players you want to attract, and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. Consider drafting a mission statement that captures your purpose and values—it will guide decisions and keep your vision clear.
Step 2: Do the Research
Before you invest time or money, you need to know whether there’s demand. Ask yourself: Are there enough players in your area who would join this club?
Here are some ways to validate:
- Visit local courts and talk to players. Are courts full? Do players travel far to play?
- Join local Facebook groups and ask if people would join a new club.
- Create a free survey using Google Forms or Typeform.
- Host a pop-up play day or mini-tournament at a rented court to test interest.
Check the USA Pickleball Places2Play database to see what other facilities exist nearby. Identify gaps you can fill.
Helpful Resources
- SBA: Market Research and Competitive Analysis
- SFIA Pickleball Participation Reports: National and regional trend data
Step 3: Write a Simple Business Plan
You don’t need a formal business background to create a strong business plan. Start with a one-page summary that lays out your vision, then build on it with more detail as needed. A clear business plan will help you stay focused, guide decisions, and support funding or loan applications.
Your plan should cover the following:
- What you want to build: Describe your club, number of courts, location type, and unique features.
- Your target audience: Who are your ideal members? Retirees? Young families? Competitive players?
- Revenue streams: These could include memberships, court rentals, lessons, events, clinics, merchandise, etc.
- Startup costs and operating expenses: Include one-time construction costs and recurring monthly expenses.
- Projected income: Estimate how many members or players you’ll need to break even.
- Goals for year one: Include realistic benchmarks for member sign-ups, revenue, and events.
Tips for Success
- Keep your language simple and direct.
- Include visuals if possible, e.g., mock court layouts, membership tier charts, and example schedules.
- Ask a friend or advisor to review it for clarity.
Helpful Resources
- SCORE Business Plan Template: Free and beginner-friendly
- LivePlan: Step-by-step software for business planning
- Bplans Sample Plans: Real examples from different industries
- US Chamber of Commerce Business Plan Guide – Helpful for structuring your plan
Your business plan doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to help you take the next step with confidence.
Step 4: Calculate Startup Costs
Understanding your startup costs is essential to avoid financial surprises and to prepare for funding. Start by breaking expenses into two categories: one-time startup costs and ongoing monthly costs.
One-time costs may include the following:
- Land purchase or leasing deposits
- Site preparation and court construction
- Initial equipment: nets, paddles, balls, fencing
- Legal fees, permits, and insurance
- Marketing and launch event costs
Ongoing monthly costs include the following:
- Payroll for staff or instructors
- Utility bills (especially for indoor clubs)
- Facility maintenance and cleaning
- Software subscriptions (like RacquetDesk)
- Insurance renewals and business licenses
Tip: Always add a 10–15% contingency buffer. Knowing your costs early helps you stay grounded during the location and fundraising phases.
Step 5: Raise Money
With your startup budget in hand, the next step is securing funding. For many first-time entrepreneurs, this is the most intimidating part of the process. The key is to understand your options, explore all possible sources, and prepare a simple, confident plan for how much you need and how it will be used.
Start by determining your total funding need: take your cost estimate from Step 4, then add a 10–15% buffer. Next, identify what you can contribute personally and what you’ll need to raise from outside sources.
Common Funding Options
- Personal savings: Many clubs are funded at least partially by the founder’s own investment.
- Small business loans: Visit SBA.gov for government-backed loan programs, including microloans and 7(a) loans. Also, check with local credit unions or community banks.
- Private investors: Reach out to people who understand pickleball’s growth potential—local entrepreneurs, real estate investors, or community leaders.
- Crowdfunding: Platforms like Fundable and Indiegogo allow you to raise funds in exchange for perks or early memberships.
- Grants: Look into recreation, health, and youth development grants from city, county, and state programs. Start with Grants.gov and your local parks and recreation department.
Tips for Funding Success
- Create a basic pitch deck that explains your mission, market opportunity, facility plan, financial projections, and funding needs.
- Practice your pitch with friends or local business mentors (try SCORE for free mentoring).
- Don’t be afraid to mix sources—many clubs combine loans, savings, and small investor backing.
- Keep a separate business bank account and clear records from day one.
Additional Funding Education
- SBA Learning Center: Free courses on funding, business planning, and managing finances
- Kiva: Offers zero-interest microloans that can build credibility with other lenders
- Hello Alice Grants & Resources: Curated opportunities for small business owners
Getting funded might take time, but it becomes much easier when you have a realistic budget, a clear plan, and a willingness to ask for help. This is where your passion and preparation meet opportunity.
Step 6: Find a Location
Armed with funding guidelines, you can now evaluate properties with confidence. Your location will affect your visibility, accessibility, member convenience, and operating costs, so it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.
Start by thinking about your ideal member. Where do they live? Where do they currently play? Your club should be within 15 minutes of the areas where most players already gather or where there’s a known shortage of courts.
Key Factors to Consider
- Zoning and land use laws: Contact your city planning office to confirm if your preferred properties are zoned for recreational or commercial use.
- Size and scalability: You’ll need space for multiple courts, plus room for circulation, seating, and potential amenities. Allow space for future expansion if possible.
- Accessibility and parking: Is there convenient parking, ADA access, and good visibility from major roads?
- Indoor vs. outdoor options: Consider local weather, seasonality, and cost. Indoor locations often require repurposing warehouse or gym space, while outdoor builds need suitable ground conditions and drainage.
To Begin Your Search
- Explore listings on LoopNet or Crexi.
- Reach out to local brokers who specialize in retail, recreation, or industrial space.
- Contact property owners directly if you see vacant land or underused gyms.
When reviewing sites, be sure to check the following:
- Property condition and renovation potential
- City permit requirements for courts, lighting, fencing, and signage
- Utilities, e.g., electricity (especially for lighting), water, and internet
- Lease or purchase terms, e.g., renewal and triple net (NNN) obligations
It’s wise to engage a commercial real estate broker who understands sports, hospitality, or recreational facilities. They can help you find hidden gems, negotiate better terms, and avoid zoning or permitting pitfalls.
Tip: If you’re unsure where to build, consider heat-mapping your area using free tools like Google My Maps to plot player density, nearby amenities, and competitive facilities.
Step 7: Form a Legal Business
Formalizing your business sets the foundation for everything to come. It ensures that your operations are legal, protected, and financially sound. Most pickleball clubs form as an LLC because it provides personal liability protection while keeping setup and management simple. However, you should always evaluate your own goals and consult a legal expert.
Each US state has different requirements for registering and maintaining a business. Some states require publishing your business name in a local paper, while others charge annual franchise taxes or filing fees. Visit your state’s Secretary of State website to confirm the exact steps and documents required.
Then, follow these key steps:
- Register your business name with your state or local government.
- Apply for an EIN (tax ID) from the IRS. This is required to hire employees or open a business bank account.
- Open a business bank account to keep finances clean and tax-compliant.
- Create an operating agreement. This is especially important if you have multiple partners or investors.
- Consult an attorney to draft liability waivers, service contracts, and review lease agreements.
If the budget is tight, online legal services like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, or ZenBusiness can help you get started.
Also consider reaching out to local small business support centers, such as SCORE or your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), for free guidance on business formation in your area.
Step 8: Build Your Facility
Now it’s time to turn your plan into a physical space. This is one of the most exciting—and complex—steps in starting your club. It involves selecting trustworthy contractors, refining your layout, navigating construction timelines, and ensuring that the final result matches your vision.
How to Find the Right Contractor
- Look for firms with experience in recreational or sports facility construction.
- Ask other local club owners (pickleball, tennis, or gyms) who they used and what their experience was like.
- Check reviews on platforms like Angi, HomeAdvisor, or local builder associations.
- Always get multiple bids—ideally three to five—to compare pricing and timelines.
- Ask for a detailed scope of work and timeline and check references.
Key Facility Design Decisions
- Number of courts and spacing (allowing for social areas and safety zones)
- Indoor vs. outdoor (or hybrid) courts
- Surface type, e.g., cushioned acrylic, modular tiles, or asphalt
- Lighting for evening play, fencing, and shade structures
- Amenities, including locker rooms, restrooms, the front desk, a lounge, a snack bar, and a pro shop
Pro Tips
- Start with a scalable design. Maybe you open with four courts and plan space for eight.
- Think long-term. Run utility lines and plan infrastructure for future additions during the first phase.
- Involve your contractor in the permitting process—they can help navigate local approvals.
- Walk the site often during construction to ensure quality and adherence to your plan.
If possible, talk to other facility owners about their construction process—what they wish they had done differently, how they phased their growth, and what design features members appreciate most.
Share your progress publicly through social media or email updates. This keeps your audience engaged and builds momentum toward opening day.
Step 9: Build Your Brand and Website
Your brand is more than a logo: It’s how your club makes people feel, and it starts shaping public perception long before you open your doors. A compelling brand conveys your mission, your values, and the type of experience players can expect.
Begin by researching other clubs and sports facilities. Visit their websites, explore their social media, and take note of logos, colors, messaging, and tone. Ask yourself: What stands out? What feels welcoming, premium, or community-driven? This will help you identify what style fits your club.
Brand building includes steps like the following:
- Naming your club (make sure the domain name is available)
- Crafting a tagline that reflects your mission
- Designing a logo, color palette, and font style
Pro tip: Consider working with a marketing or branding agency that specializes in the sports and recreation industry. They can help you define your brand identity and ensure consistency across your signage, digital assets, merchandise, and member communications.
You don’t need to wait until your facility is finished to start. Begin building your brand early—ideally during the construction or fundraising phase—so you can grow awareness and excitement in the lead-up to your grand opening.
Your website should include the following:
- High-quality renderings or photos (even if under construction)
- Membership info and pricing
- Court booking tools (integrated through RacquetDesk)
- An email capture form to collect interest and send updates
- An event calendar and FAQ page
Use platforms like Squarespace, WordPress, or Wix to launch a clean, responsive site—or work with a freelance designer or agency. A strong web presence and clear branding will help establish credibility and create momentum as you prepare to open.
Step 10: Start Hiring
Your staff will shape your club’s culture and daily experience, so building the right team is critical. Start by deciding which roles you want to fill yourself and which you plan to outsource or hire for. If you’re hands-on and enjoy management, you might serve as the club’s general manager in the early months. If you prefer to focus on growth or have another full-time job, you’ll need strong hires from the start.
Owner-Operator Roles vs. Hired Staff
Many founders start by wearing multiple hats: scheduling, customer service, cleaning, and coaching. This keeps costs low and builds firsthand understanding.
If you’re not planning to be on-site daily, hire a trustworthy manager with experience running recreational or hospitality-based businesses.
Core Roles to Consider Early
- Club manager or assistant manager: Handles daily operations, scheduling, and staff coordination.
- Certified instructors: Use professionals with credentials from PPR to lead clinics and lessons.
- Front desk and member services staff: Manages check-ins, membership sales, and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
- Maintenance staff: Ensures the cleanliness, safety, and functionality of your courts and facility.
As your club grows, you may add roles such as the following:
- Event coordinators
- Marketing support
- Administrative or bookkeeping help
When to Hire
- Begin recruiting four to six weeks before opening.
- Staff up in stages—start lean and expand once you’ve identified peak hours and programming needs.
- If you’re offering lessons or clinics, prioritize hiring coaches early to promote offerings in advance.
How to Find Great Candidates
- Post jobs on Indeed, LinkedIn, or in local Facebook groups.
- Network through local tennis or pickleball communities.
- Reach out to nearby colleges, hospitality programs, or rec centers.
- Offer referral bonuses to current staff or members for qualified candidates.
What to Look for in Candidates
- Customer service or hospitality experience
- Background in fitness, recreation, or sports
- Enthusiasm for pickleball, even if they’re new to the game
- Strong communication skills and a team-first attitude
Hiring the right team early on will reduce stress, improve member satisfaction, and give your club a strong foundation to scale.
Step 11: Market and Launch
Start marketing at least 60 to 90 days before opening and develop a clear promotional roadmap that builds interest over time. Your goal is to warm up your local community so that, by the time you open your doors, you have players ready to walk in and join.
Start with a Phased Approach
- 90 days out: Launch your website and social media channels. Announce your club’s concept and begin collecting emails. Share your origin story and what makes your club different.
- 60 days out: Offer early-bird memberships, sneak peeks, and exclusive invites. Publish behind-the-scenes photos and updates to build excitement.
- 30 days out: Ramp up with countdown posts, launch event details, and paid ads targeting local audiences.
Marketing Tactics and Why They Work
- Create a content calendar: Plan consistent posts, giveaways, and countdowns to launch.
- Behind-the-scenes videos or construction updates: Build transparency and emotional buy-in. People love watching a dream come to life.
- Founding member discounts or perks: Drive early revenue and give your first supporters a reason to commit.
- Press releases to local outlets: Build local buzz and establish credibility. Try tools like PRLog or contact your city’s news stations and lifestyle blogs.
- Run ads on Google or Facebook: Use location-based targeting to reach local pickleball players and fitness enthusiasts. Allocate a small test budget first and optimize based on results.
Free vs. Paid Marketing
- Free channels include organic social media, community partnerships, email newsletters, and word-of-mouth.
- Paid channels offer faster reach, which is especially helpful in the final month before launch. Even a modest ad spend can generate leads if targeted well.
Resources to Boost Your Marketing
- Canva: Create branded social media graphics easily
- Mailchimp: Build and automate your email list
- Buffer or Later: Schedule social media posts
- Meta Ads Manager: Set up Facebook and Instagram ads
Plan Your Soft and Grand Openings
- Soft opening: Invite early members, local players, and staff families. Test your booking systems and gather feedback.
- Grand opening: Make it festive. Offer free play sessions, food vendors, music, giveaways, and live demos. Set up a membership sign-up booth and hand out branded swag.
A well-executed launch creates energy that carries into your first few months of operation. It’s your chance to show off everything you’ve built and start turning interest into loyal members.
Step 12: Run and Grow
Opening day is just the beginning. The most successful clubs don’t just open their doors—they build a culture that keeps people coming back, engaging regularly, and inviting others. To grow, focus on consistency, community, and responsiveness.
Start by maintaining momentum from your grand opening. Use that early excitement to promote recurring programs and get your first regular players locked in. Focus on building routines—weekly events, leagues, and lessons—that become part of your members’ schedules.
Offer programming that keeps members engaged and excited:
- Weekly leagues or drop-in mixers to build social bonds
- Coaching clinics for different skill levels, especially beginners
- Round robins and monthly ladder challenges
- Family days, youth programs, or themed events
Encourage referrals by rewarding members who bring in friends or family. Share event recaps, member spotlights, and behind-the-scenes updates through social media and email newsletters to keep your community informed and invested.
Use RacquetDesk to streamline daily operations and deliver a professional, seamless experience:
- Court reservations and waitlists
- Membership management and renewals
- Automated communications (reminders, announcements, promotions)
- Event registration, payment tracking, and performance data
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide decisions:
- Court utilization rates: Are courts busy during peak and off-peak hours?
- Membership retention: How many members renew month-to-month or annually?
- Event participation: Which events are consistently popular?
- Net promoter score (NPS): Are your members likely to recommend your club?
Collect informal feedback often and schedule formal member surveys quarterly or biannually. This helps you adapt programming, hours, or amenities based on real user needs. Take advantage of RacquetDesk’s partner integrations to elevate the player experience at your club as well.
Growth doesn’t always mean adding more courts—it can also mean deepening relationships, improving service, and creating a place people love to be. When your members feel seen, valued, and connected, they’ll become your biggest advocates.
Step 13: Celebrate and Improve
Your club is open—now it’s time to make it even better! The most successful clubs continue to refine their experience, invest in their members, and adapt based on real-world feedback.
Stay on track by setting quarterly or annual goals. These might include membership targets, event participation rates, or satisfaction benchmarks. Track progress using software tools and revisit goals often with your team.
Keep your finger on the pulse of your community. Host regular member feedback sessions, provide anonymous suggestion boxes, or send digital surveys twice per year. Use responses to improve programs, services, and amenities.
Ways to Evolve Your Club
- Add new court features, lighting, or lounge areas.
- Expand coaching programs, events, or age-specific sessions.
- Launch branded merch or cobranded events with local businesses.
- Improve benefits like member referral rewards or loyalty perks.
- Celebrate milestones with anniversary events, awards, or community tournaments.
As you grow, plan for the future. What’s your vision for year two—or year five? Keep a list of potential upgrades, partnership ideas, and expansion opportunities. Stay adaptable but always grounded in your club’s original mission.
Above all, keep showing up—as a leader, a listener, and a player. Your presence and commitment will be the heartbeat of your club’s long-term success.
Final Thoughts
Starting a pickleball club with facilities may feel overwhelming, but it’s absolutely doable—especially if you take it one step at a time. The key is to start small, stay organized, and keep the community at the center of everything.