The popularity of pickleball has exploded in just the last few years, with millions of people picking up a paddle and diving headfirst into all the fast-paced action this sport offers.
In fact, pickleball has become so popular that more and more homeowners are looking for ways to add a court to their property, too. A lot of these folks are trying to figure out just; how much does it cost to build a pickleball court? – and many are surprised at the answer (a lot cheaper than they thought)!
On average, a professional grade pickleball court is going to set you back between $10,000 and $25,000 or so. If you really want to get fancy (and add a bunch of extras that only improve the experience and the value of the court) the cost might bounce up to $40,000 or more.
Below we run through just about everything there is to know about how much these courts cost, the different factors that play a role in the final price tag, as well as a couple of other things you want to think about before you take the plunge.
Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pickleball Court?
According to the folks at the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the average cost of a new pickleball court installation – an outdoor installation – in the United States sits between $10,000 and $25,000.
There are obviously a handful of things that go into figuring out the final price tag for your pickleball court project, though. We highlight the most important ones below.
1. Indoors or Outdoors?
For starters you need to think about whether or not you are going to be building a pickleball court outdoors or fully enclosing it and making it an indoor arena.
The price tag between these two projects is wildly different.
The outdoor pickleball court (to the surprise of no one) is considerably less expensive than the indoor pickleball court. You may not have full year-round usage of those pickleball courts the way you would with indoor options – but you can save tens of thousands of dollars (if not more) by keeping your project outdoor only.
At the end of the day, though, this is your pickleball court project and you’ll want it built to your exact specifications.
2. Site
The next thing you’ll need to consider is the site where you’ll situate your pickleball tennis court as well as any site work that may need to be done to get that patch of land ready for the pickleball tennis court installation.
If you’ve already got the land ready to rock and roll, and it’s generally pretty flat and pretty level, you can expect to pay anywhere between $4 and $12 a square foot for site work to prep the surface of your pickleball tennis court.
If you’ve got to bring in a bunch of dirt or gravel, if you have the level and grade your land, or if you have to clear-cut a spot to build your pickleball court you’re probably going to be spending considerably more than that on-site work alone.
3. Size
The standard size for the playing surface of a pickleball court is 20’ x 44’. But you’re going to need a bit of extra room than that for your players to maneuver.
The USA Pickleball Association recommends that folks building their own pickleball court set aside at least 36’ x 64’ of their property to be completely finished with a pickleball court surface. This gives players tons of room to roam as they play the game.
Some folks are perfectly fine adding a single pickleball tennis court to their property, but others want to add at least two (and maybe a couple more). That’s obviously going to influence the final price tag of your project and is something to consider.
4. Surface
Even though there’s a standard court size for pickleball there’s no real standard surface material the game has to be played on – not like there is in hockey, basketball, baseball, football, and soccer.
Pickleball can be played on asphalt and concrete, clay and rubber, and a whole host of synthetic surfaces as well.
The kind of service you choose heavily influences the final price tag of your project. Your surface material choice also influences the amount of money you’ll spend annually on court upkeep and maintenance (more on that in just a little bit).
Low maintenance and high-performance options are usually made of some sort of blend of acrylic and rubber synthetic materials. Talk to your pickleball court builder about the right material choice for your site and your area, though.
5. Fencing
Unless you and your playing partners feel like chasing down pickleballs every time they are bounced outside the playing area boundaries you’re going to want to put up fencing that fully encases your court.
You don’t have to go crazy here, but you will want to get quality fencing that is high enough to keep all different kinds of shots in bounds.
Be sure to have your fencing installed properly, too. You want these fencing panels straight, stiff, and built to last.
6. Lighting
Finally, it’s a good idea to think about lighting up your pickleball court so that you can get some games even after the sun goes down.
LED outdoor lighting is more affordable today than ever before and it’s perfect for these kinds of applications. You’ll pay less to run these lights (they consume less energy), they won’t get hot and blow out on you, and they are about as maintenance-free – and as bright – as sports lighting gets.
Expect to pony up a decent amount of money on pickleball lighting, though. Especially when you’re trying to light the playing surface evenly without it becoming a distraction for the people playing.
7. Extras
Netting
Pickleball courts require nets to be run across them (kind of like tennis court) and it’s not a bad idea to have a couple of them in reserve.
Your net isn’t typically going to see a lot of wear and tear, but it is going to break down into grades over time. Having a couple of nets in reserve guarantees that your pickleball games (and maybe even your pickleball tournaments) don’t shut down just because of a netting accident.
Expect quality nets to set you back between $250 and $400 or so.
Windscreen
Outdoor pickleball court owners swear that adding windscreens to the fencing surrounding their playing surface dramatically improves the overall experience – and it’s not hard to see why.
If you live in a particularly windy area it doesn’t take a whole lot for a stiff breeze to start moving your pickleball all over the place. Although, the kind of ball used in pickleball is differ from indoor and outdoor play. That can make for some pretty frustrating gameplay.
Windscreens knock down the negative impact of wind whipping across your court without becoming ugly or obtrusive. They are a huge quality-of-life upgrade you’ll want to seriously consider.
Different windscreen materials will have different price tags attached but anticipate spending between $800 and $2000 extra for proper windproofing.
Line Work
Line work – painting out your pickleball court playing surface, or even having custom court work done for you – is something you have to factor into the price of your pickleball project, too.
This usually isn’t the most expensive part of the project (not by a long stretch) but you don’t want to blow your budget on every other aspect of your pickleball setup without having lines down so that the court is actually playable.
Quality line work can be done for between a few hundred dollars and $600-$700.
Scoreboard
The scoreboard can be as simple or as complex as you like, with 100% manual operation or fully electronic and automatic. It’s a good idea to have at least a rudimentary scoreboard on your pickleball court, though, even if it’s just to keep track of points during friendly games.
Seating and Bleachers
Finally, you might want to add some seating (and maybe even some bleachers) to your pickleball court. Seating for athletes to take a break and take a breather will dramatically improve the time you spend out there on the court.
Bleachers can be a lot of fun for friends, family members, and spectators you invite over to watch these matches (or to set up before it’s their turn to play on the court).
What About Maintenance and Upkeep?
A big part of learning how much it costs to build a pickleball court is realizing that your initial upfront costs – actually building the court itself – are just the beginning.
Pickleball courts (like any other outdoor sports court, including tennis courts) are going to require regular maintenance and upkeep on an annual basis.
You’ll want to power wash and deep clean your pickleball court a handful of times each year. You might need to patch or resurface your pickleball court every few years. It’s not a bad idea to repaint the court and the lines every now and again to freshen them up.
When all is said and done, expect to spend about $1800-$2000 or so on annual maintenance.
Your Pickleball Court Might Need to Be Resurfaced in the Future
Every pickleball material has a finite “shelf life” – even the top-notch material options like acrylic and rubber toppers.
Playing on the pickleball court on a regular basis is going to impart normal wear and tear. But weather conditions (especially harsh winters and hot summers) are going to do a number on your pickleball surface as well.
Resurfacing is usually only necessary every handful of years or so (maybe even every decade), but the chances are pretty good you’re going to have to resurface your pickleball court at least once or twice.
The material you are resurfacing, the severity of the wear and tear, and even the contractor you choose to resurface your pickleball project will impact the final price.
Anticipate spending anywhere between $1000 and $5000 on resurfacing every 5 to 10 years.
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered “how much does it cost to build a pickleball court” hopefully you’ve found the inside information we highlighted above useful.
Pickleball courts are unbelievably popular today and the sport is only going to grow and grow as time goes on.
Perfect for folks of all ages (from kids to our elders and everyone in between) this is a game – and a sports court – that the whole family can enjoy.
Best of all, you don’t have to spend a mountain of money to transform a patch of your backyard into a full-blown pickleball court that you’ll be able to use all year round.
As we highlighted above, the average cost of a pickleball court (a brand-new project, built to your exact specifications) will set you back between $10,000 and $25,000 or so. Average maintenance and upkeep are another $1800, give or take.
That’s not a ton of money to dramatically overhaul your outdoor space, turning maybe previously unused spots in your backyard into a focal point for your family, friends, and neighbors.
Best of all, the odds are pretty good you’ll see a decent return on your investment if you ever sell your property with a pickleball court on it. It’ll definitely help attract buyers that are in love with the game themselves!
FAQ
Can I Build a Pickleball Court on My Property?
While specific rules, laws, and regulations dictating whether or not a pickleball court can be built on your property will need to be researched with your local building code authorities, the odds are very good that you’ll be able to put a pickleball court on your property with no issue.
Can I Finance a Pickleball Court Project?
Yes, believe it or not you should be able to secure funding and financing for your pickleball project without a lot of headache or hassle. Talk to your bank, credit union, or private lender for more information.
How Do I Find a Pickleball Courts Contractor?
While the internet will be your best friend to find the best local pickleball court contractor in your area, if you need a little more help you might reach out to the USA Pickleball Association or the American Sports Builders Association for their recommendations.
How Much Does It Cost for a Pickleball Court Construction?
The costs of pickleball court construction vary widely depending on your vision. On the low end, to get started with a simple home set including a portable net, 4 paddles, balls, and a roll of court tape, you’ll be looking at roughly $200 – $400.
Also, consider fundraising (online or in-person), to generate the funds you need to create your pickleball court. The excitement surrounding the sport of pickleball means finding donors could be easy.
Further reading: Mapping out grant opportunities for pickleball court construction and resurfacing Get a cost estimate for your project at an early stage There is a long list of factors determining the total cost of pickleball court construction. To help you plan more efficiently, getting a cost estimate early in the process is crucial.
