Pickleball Social Clubs: What’s Driving Success in 2025?
With pickleball's popularity exploding, 2025 is poised to be the year of the pickleball entertainment club. These venues are popping up across the country, offering more than just courts – they're becoming full-fledged entertainment destinations. But with so many new clubs entering the scene, what will separate the winners from the also-rans? Here's what we at Pickleball in the Sun believe will drive success in this evolving landscape:
1. More Than Just Pickleball: While the sport is undeniably the main draw, smart clubs are diversifying their offerings for wider appeal. Think family entertainment like Pickle N Pins with its duckpin bowling and arcade games, or full-service dining and bars like California Smash and Chipshot. This creates a sustainable model that caters to all ages and interests, ensuring revenue streams even if pickleball's popularity shifts.
2. Top-Notch Facilities: Aesthetically pleasing spaces matter! Clubs like Rally Pickleball with its gorgeous indoor and outdoor courts are setting a high bar. The Fort in Fort Lauderdale takes it a step further, boasting 43 courts and a championship arena, making it ideal for large-scale events and tournaments.
3. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations are key. Chipshot's partnership between a PGA Tour pro and a brewery owner is a recipe for success, combining sports expertise with a thriving food and beverage program.
4. Catering to All Skill Levels: Clubs need to attract both casual players and serious competitors. Offering a mix of open play, organized leagues, and advanced training opportunities is crucial.
5. Embracing Corporate Events: Pickleball is becoming the "new golf" for corporate outings. Clubs that actively market themselves for team-building events, sales meetings, and retreats will have a significant advantage.
6. Prime Location and Event Space: Location, location, location! Clubs in easily accessible areas with ample parking have a major advantage. SPF Chicago, with its surface lot parking and mezzanine overlooking the courts, is a prime example. This setup creates excellent opportunities for events, like the recent Smirnoff SMASH event Pickleball in the Sun hosted with Proof Media Mix that featured custom PickleRoll courts and a live DJ.
7. Capitalizing on Seasonality: Successful clubs will tap into the spirit of the season. Pickle and Social Gwinnett is doing just that with their "Reindeer Room" holiday experience, complete with festive cocktails and "Glow Pickleball" nights on Fridays in December. This creates a sense of community and encourages repeat visits.
Ones to Watch:
Chipshot (Jacksonville, FL): Founded by PGA Tour pro Thomas Walsh and Strings Sports Brewery owner Scott Adeeb, this club is combining top-tier sports with a fantastic food and beverage program. With Pickleball in the Sun's headquarters in the Jacksonville area, we're especially excited about this one! Expect to see us there almost daily – and who knows, maybe Laura Gainor will even find her new office space there. 😉
Pickle N Pins (Metairie, LA): Created by Drew Brees, this entertainment complex truly sets the standard for pickleball social clubs. Having visited Pickle N Pins personally, I can confidently say that this is the club to visit when you are thinking about building a pickleball social club. It seamlessly combines pickleball with bowling, arcade games, and more, ensuring fun for the whole family and offering a blueprint for success.
California Smash (El Segundo, CA): A social club with a full-service bar and restaurant, featuring nine pickleball courts. I am honored to be visiting California Smash in person next week, so be sure to follow Pickleball in the Sun on Instagram for highlights from our visit as they get set to open soon!
Rally Pickleball (Charlotte, NC): This club knows how to make a statement! With stunning indoor and outdoor courts (featured in our Girl Tribe Collab photoshoot!), Rally Pickleball is the perfect choice when you want to impress your clients or employees with a social pickleball event that includes great pickleball, food, and cocktails.
Pickle and Social (Gwinnett, GA): This 4.5-acre complex offers a truly unique experience. With 16 pickleball courts (indoor, outdoor, and covered), a full-service restaurant and bar, a rooftop bar, a Biergarten, an ACL Cornhole Yard with 26 lanes, and a live music stage, Pickle and Social Gwinnett has something for everyone. They also know how to create a buzz with seasonal events like their "Reindeer Room" holiday experience and "Glow Pickleball" nights.
The Fort (Fort Lauderdale, FL): A massive facility with 43 pickleball courts, including a championship court, The Fort is truly a pickleball mecca. Located within the 93-acre Snyder Park, it boasts a stunning lakefront setting and offers a range of amenities beyond the courts, making it an ideal destination for large-scale events and tournaments.
SPF Chicago (Chicago, IL): Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, SPF Chicago is an indoor facility dedicated to pickleball. With eight state-of-the-art courts, ample parking, an indoor turf field, multiple bars, a cafe, and luxurious locker rooms complete with showers and saunas, SPF Chicago offers a premium pickleball experience. Their mezzanine level provides a fantastic vantage point for viewing the action and is an ideal space for hosting events. Check out the Before & After photos of SPF Chicago before we brought in our temporary Smirnoff SMASH courts.
Pickleball in the Sun's Take:
As a company specializing in pickleball events, we're excited to partner with these clubs to offer our clients unforgettable experiences. The Fort, in particular, will be a go-to for large corporate retreats and events. SPF Chicago also offers a fantastic venue for unique and engaging events. And as our headquarters are in the Jacksonville area, we can hardly wait to welcome Chipshot to our local Pickleball in the Sun lifestyle.
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for pickleball social clubs. Those that prioritize diverse offerings, high-quality facilities, strategic partnerships, and cater to all skill levels will be best positioned for success.
