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There are countless ways to find pickleball courts.

You can scout out your local parks or make your own court in a parking lot. You can find pickleball courts through Facebook groups or online event lists. Regardless of how you choose to find your local pickleball courts, the bottom line is that it can be an overwhelming task! How can a lady — or anyone, for that matter — possibly find pickleball courts without spending hours browsing the web?

Worry not!

Pickle Goddesses has you covered. Keep reading to learn the basics of finding nearby pickleball courts.

The Best Places to Find Local Pickleball Courts

There are a few places to start your search. These locations are prime real estate for pickleball courts, and you’ll usually find at least one play area there. So, before searching far and wide, consider the following hotspots:

  • Colleges and schools
  • Gymnasiums and sports clubs (like the YMCA)
  • Local parks
  • Pickleball clubs
  • Recreational areas
  • Sports centers

Got that? Great!

Now, let’s get more specific.

Find Permanent Nets at Your Local Colleges

Colleges and universities have plenty of space, and some even have dedicated pickleball teams. In fact, USA Pickleball has a handy list of collegiate pickleball clubs, and there are plenty of easy-to-access campuses on the list. Some notable entries include…

  • Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama
  • Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama
  • James Madison University in Harrisonville, Virginia
  • Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey
  • Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
  • Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah
  • Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan
  • … and more! (72 more, to be exact!)

You may also find pickleball courts at your local elementary, middle, and high schools. It’s not as prevalent as football, soccer, or softball, but it’s a rising physical education star!

However, these courts will likely be packed with eager players. Moreover, grade school courts will likely be occupied by active young students; avoid going to these courts when class is in session! For collegiate campuses, you’ll want to know how to share the court before you arrive. You may even want to connect with local players to discuss house rules.

Going during the summer will thin the crowds, as students won’t be on campus.

Is There a Local Court at the Gym?

If schoolyard pickleball courts are too packed, seek out your local gyms or community center! Both public and private gymnasiums have plenty of indoor space to play pickleball. Some even have dedicated pickleball courts.

While it’s easy to start playing pickleball at gyms with permanent nets, generalized gyms require extra effort. Get permission to set up a temporary indoor pickleball court before you start. Aside from being courteous, proof of permission guarantees the longevity of your games. You’ll also need some court lining tools and a measuring tape.

Find a Pickleball Court at the Park

Fans of outdoor pickleball can find plenty of places to play at local parks.

Most public parks have pre-established clay tennis courts. If these are unoccupied, you can safely set yourself up for some pickleball games! Again, be sure to bring chalk or tape to lay down your lines. However, many public parks — particularly in the United States — are riding the pickleball wave and setting up permanent courts.

Places2Play — sponsored by USA Pickleball — is one of your best pickleball court locator tools. The site hosts a live list of every public pickleball court in America, and it’s always being updated.

Hit Up Your Local Pickleball Club

For a wider variety of options, you can contact your local pickleball club. These organizations have lists of places to play, and some have their own dedicated pickleball courts.

We can’t possibly list the hundreds of pickleball clubs that exist, but we can highlight some of the most popular examples! These notable clubs are located in the most populous US cities, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your location on our list. You can find a complete (and searchable!) list of American pickleball clubs on the USA Pickleball website.

So, without further ado, check out these popular pickleball clubs:

Keep in mind that many tennis clubs also have space for pickleball courts. The relationship between these sports may be contentious, but you may find some local pickleball courts by following some tennis players!

Check Out Local Recreational Centers

Many recreational and community center buildings have plenty of space to draw your own lines. However, many may not have dedicated courts. You’ll probably need to draw your own lines and bring your own net.

Nonetheless, you can find some pickleball-only locations. Local clubs are your best bet, and spots with indoor tennis courts are your next likely candidate. For those seeking adventure, you can also check out some of America’s largest indoor pickleball courts, including…

  • House of PicklebalL (Leland, North Carolina): A pickleball-only facility with 6 indoor pickleball courts
  • Oxford Pickleball (Oxford, Connecticut): A 16,500 square-foot complex with 4 indoor courts and a fully functional club.
  • Pickleball Island (Grand Rapids, New York): A professional pickleball shop and lounge with 7 attached indoor playing areas.
  • Pickleball Kingdom (Chandler, Arizona): A sprawling sports center with 8 outdoor courts, 4 indoor courts, and space for many other sports!
  • Pickleball Zone (Bend, Oregon): A trampoline park with 8 indoor pickleball courts.
  • Pickleplex (Punta Gorda, Florida): Though still under construction, Pickleplex currently has 16 of its 32 planned outdoor courts and 8 indoor courts. A bar, fitness center, restaurant, and store are also underway.
  • Smash Park (Des Moines, Iowa): 2 indoor and 4 outdoor courts pair well with this rec center’s beer gardens!

Learn More About the Sport

Regardless of where you play pickleball, you’re bound to have fun!

Don’t go in without some tips. Join Pickle Goddesses and prep yourself for the competition. Browse the blog and explore America’s fastest-growing sport. We don’t just tell you where to play pickleball; we’ll teach you how to play it, too!

Visit the site regularly; we’re constantly updating. And be sure to share this post if it helped you find pickleball courts