A pickleball court usually costs $12,000 to $60,000 installed, depending on features.
If you are asking how much is a pickleball court, you want real numbers you can act on. I’ve helped plan and price courts for backyards, HOAs, and clubs, and I know where the money goes, where it doesn’t, and how to save without regrets. This guide breaks down how much is a pickleball court in plain English, with proven budgets, itemized costs, and smart tips that come from the field, not a spreadsheet.
What drives the price of a pickleball court
Asking how much is a pickleball court is like asking the price of a car. It depends on the model and options. These are the big drivers:
- Site conditions Your dirt, drainage, access, and slope decide how much prep you need.
- Surface choice Asphalt, post-tension concrete, or modular tile set the base price.
- Location Labor and materials cost more in some regions.
- Fencing and lighting Fences keep balls in; lights extend play. Both add a lot.
- Indoor vs. outdoor Indoor needs a building or gym space. That changes everything.
- Single vs. multi-court More courts lower the per-court price due to shared items.
- DIY vs. turnkey Doing some work yourself can trim thousands.
If you want a fast sense of how much is a pickleball court, first check your site and decide indoor or outdoor. Those two choices set your range.
Typical price ranges and sample budgets
For most people asking how much is a pickleball court, these tiers fit real projects I’ve helped price:
- Budget outdoor backyard $12,000 to $25,000
- Convert an existing slab or install asphalt, basic acrylic coat, portable net, simple 4–6 ft fence on two sides, no lights.
- Standard outdoor $25,000 to $60,000
- New post-tension concrete or quality asphalt, premium acrylic system, full 6–10 ft fence, windscreens, permanent net posts, lines, maybe conduit for future lights.
- Premium outdoor $60,000 to $120,000
- Top slab, full lighting, shade, windscreens, benches, storage, landscaping, and drainage upgrades.
- Multi-court complexes $18,000 to $35,000 per court
- Shared fencing, lighting, and walkways reduce per-court cost.
- Indoor courts
- Using an existing gym: $500 to $5,000 per court for lines, nets, and divider curtains.
- New steel building with one court: often $150,000 to $400,000 all-in with slab, shell, lights, HVAC, and finishes.
If you want to pin down how much is a pickleball court for your property, matching your project to a tier is the fastest first step.
New build vs. conversion: which is cheaper?
If you have a slab, you win. The cheapest answer to how much is a pickleball court is often a conversion.
- Tennis court conversion
- Restriping and portable nets: $1,000 to $5,000.
- Resurfacing plus lines and posts: $6,000 to $25,000, depending on repairs.
- Four courts on one tennis slab is common and cost-effective.
- Old basketball or parking slab
- Crack repair, leveling, acrylic surfacing, lines: $5,000 to $20,000.
- Permanent fencing and lights add more.
- Full new build on dirt
- $25,000 to $60,000+ for one outdoor court, driven by slab type and site work.
I’ve seen HOAs save tens of thousands by converting tennis. But if the slab is failing, it is often smarter to rebuild than to chase cracks year after year.
Indoor vs. outdoor pickleball court cost
Many readers asking how much is a pickleball court really mean, how much is it indoors versus outdoors.
- Outdoor
- Most single-court builds land between $20,000 and $60,000.
- Weather, frost lines, and drainage can push it higher.
- Indoor using an existing gym
- Lines, nets, divider curtains: $500 to $10,000 per court.
- You may need floor coating upgrades to improve grip and ball bounce.
- Indoor in a new shell
- A small pre-engineered metal building for one court can run $120 to $250 per square foot for the shell, slab, and basic utilities.
- All-in totals of $150,000 to $400,000 are common once you add lighting, HVAC, bathrooms, and code items.
If your key question is how much is a pickleball court for year-round play, indoor is the priciest path but gives the best scheduling and revenue options.
Court size, layout, and space needs
Dimensions affect cost because they set your slab size and fencing length.
- Playing area 20 by 44 feet.
- Minimum court pad 30 by 60 feet (1,800 square feet).
- Ideal pad 34 by 64 feet for safer run-off.
- Orientation Aim north–south to avoid sun in players’ eyes.
- Access and code
- Plan for ADA paths, gates, and clearances.
- Leave room for benches, shade, and storage.
When people ask how much is a pickleball court, I start by sketching the 30 by 60 pad on their lot. Fit often decides budget more than anything else.
Itemized cost breakdown per line item
Here is where your money goes on a standard outdoor court. Actual prices vary by region and contractor, but these ranges are current across the US:
- Site work and grading $3,000 to $20,000
- Base and drainage $2,000 to $10,000
- Slab
- Asphalt: $4 to $7 per square foot
- Post-tension concrete: $8 to $18 per square foot
- Acrylic sport surfacing and striping $1.50 to $4 per square foot
- Fencing and gates $25 to $45 per linear foot
- Lighting (LED, 2–4 poles) $12,000 to $30,000 per court
- Net posts, center strap, anchor $600 to $1,500
- Portable net (if used) $200 to $500
- Windscreens $1 to $2 per square foot
- Benches, shade, storage $1,000 to $8,000
- Design, permits, and inspections $1,500 to $6,000
- Contingency 10% to 15%
Example standard build, 30 by 60 feet, post-tension slab:
- Slab at $12/sq ft: $21,600
- Surfacing and striping: $4,000
- Fencing 180 linear feet at $35/lf: $6,300
- Lighting, 4 LED poles: $18,000
- Site work and drainage: $8,000
- Nets, windscreens, benches: $3,500
- Design and permits: $3,000
- Contingency at 10%: $6,240
- Estimated total: $70,640
This example shows why how much is a pickleball court can land above $60,000 with lights and solid site work. Skip lights and extras, and you can drop into the $30,000 to $50,000 range.
Ongoing costs and maintenance timeline
How much is a pickleball court to maintain each year? Plan for small, steady care instead of big, surprise bills.
- Annual cleaning and minor crack repair $200 to $1,000
- Net, strap, and hardware replacement Every 2–4 years, $200 to $800
- Windscreens Every 3–5 years, $400 to $1,500
- Acrylic resurfacing Every 4–8 years, $4,000 to $8,000
- Lighting maintenance LEDs last long, but plan for drivers and controls over time
Tip from the field: the best way to protect your court is water management. Keep water off the slab, keep edges clean, and repair hairline cracks early.
Project timeline, permitting, and process
The timeline also shapes how much is a pickleball court, because delays cost money.
- Planning and bids 2 to 6 weeks
- Permits 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your city
- Site work 1 to 2 weeks
- Slab install and cure Asphalt can be played on sooner; concrete needs cure time
- Surfacing 3 to 7 days, best above 50°F and dry weather
- Fencing and accessories 2 to 5 days
- Lighting and electrical 2 to 7 days
- Total build time 4 to 10 weeks, plus permits
Ask your contractor to schedule surfacing during the right weather window. Rushing coatings in cold or wet weather leads to early failures.
Smart ways to reduce cost without regret
You can cut cost without cutting quality. When someone asks how much is a pickleball court on a tight budget, I share these ideas:
- Use an existing slab Fix it, then resurface and stripe.
- Choose asphalt over post-tension If soil is stable, asphalt is cost-effective.
- Go portable for nets Save on posts and sleeves.
- Prewire for future lights Install conduit now. Add lights later.
- Share fences and lights Build two courts side by side.
- Phase your project Start with the court, add windscreens and shade later.
- DIY what is safe Paint lines or install windscreens yourself.
- Buy during off-season Contractors may offer better pricing.
Mistakes to avoid from the field
I’ve seen these missteps inflate how much is a pickleball court more than anything else.
- Skimping on subgrade The slab is only as good as the dirt under it.
- Wrong slope Courts need about 1% slope for drainage. Flat is bad.
- Poor orientation Set north–south to control glare.
- Thin coatings Cheap paint systems wear fast and chalk.
- Short fences Balls fly. Underbuilding fencing frustrates play.
- No conduit If you think you might want lights later, plan the conduit now.
- Ignoring neighbors Add windscreens or landscaping to control noise and glare.
Do it right once. Fixing water and cracking issues later costs far more.
ROI, funding, and revenue ideas for clubs and cities
If your board is asking how much is a pickleball court and why to fund it, bring a simple business case.
- Revenue ideas
- Memberships, punch cards, and court rentals
- Leagues, ladders, and tournaments
- Clinics, private lessons, and youth programs
- Pro shop, concessions, or sponsorship banners
- Savings and grants
- Local grants for recreation and health
- Sponsorships from businesses eager to reach active adults
- Volunteer days for fencing windscreens and landscaping
A well-run 4 to 8 court complex can pay for upkeep through modest fees while serving the community all week.
Frequently Asked Questions of how much is a pickleball court
How much is a pickleball court if I only paint lines in a gym?
If your floor is good, lines and a portable net can be $500 to $1,500 per court. Divider curtains or better lighting add cost but improve play.
How much is a pickleball court to convert from tennis?
Simple restriping and portable nets can be under $5,000. Full resurfacing with posts and fencing upgrades can run $10,000 to $25,000 per court.
How much is a pickleball court with lights?
Plan $12,000 to $30,000 per court for quality LED lights and poles. Trenching, wiring, and controls add to that number.
How much is a pickleball court in my backyard with asphalt?
Many backyard asphalt builds land between $18,000 and $40,000. Site work and fencing are the main variables.
How much is a pickleball court to maintain each year?
Budget $200 to $1,000 for cleaning and small repairs. Resurfacing every 4–8 years adds $4,000 to $8,000 when due.
How much is a pickleball court if I choose modular sport tiles?
Tiles themselves are often $4 to $10 per square foot. You still need a flat, well-drained base, which can be the larger cost.
How much is a pickleball court to build indoors from scratch?
A single-court building can total $150,000 to $400,000 with the shell, slab, lights, HVAC, and code items. Using an existing gym is far cheaper.
Conclusion
You now have a clear picture of how much is a pickleball court, from bare-bones conversions to lit showcase builds. Start with your site, choose the right surface, and phase extras to match your budget and goals. A little planning prevents big costs later.
If you are ready to take the next step, sketch your space, pick your tier, and request two or three bids using the line items above. Want more help? Subscribe for templates, checklists, and real budget examples, or drop a comment with your project details.