How To Invest In Pickleball: Smart Strategies For 2026

Buy shares in exposed brands, back courts or leagues, or build local pickleball businesses.

Pickleball is booming and still early. This guide shows how to invest in pickleball with smart, simple steps. I will share the best paths, real numbers, and lessons I learned in the field. If you want clear answers on how to invest in pickleball, you are in the right place.

Why pickleball is investable now

Pickleball is the fastest growing paddle sport in the United States. Reports from major sports groups show rapid growth over the last three years. Some show tens of millions have tried it. Regular players now number in the high single digits to low teens, depending on the report. The exact count varies by source, but the trend is clear.

Why is this growth sticky? It is social, low impact, and easy to learn. Courts fit in small spaces. Older and younger players can play together. This is rare in sports.

Growth drivers to watch:

Strong word of mouth and community clubs
Conversions of old tennis courts to pickleball
Employer and city wellness programs
Content on social media and streaming

What this means for investors is simple. Demand is rising, and the market is wide. You can invest in equipment, courts, leagues, media, or local services. In short, there are many lanes for how to invest in pickleball today.

The main ways how to invest in pickleball

You can take part at many levels. Some are passive. Some are hands-on. Below are the main paths for how to invest in pickleball.

Public stocks with pickleball exposure Buy companies that sell paddles, balls, shoes, or build courts.
Private brands and startups Back paddle makers, ball tech, booking apps, or training platforms.
Facilities and real estate Build, buy, or convert spaces into courts. Sell memberships and court time.
Leagues and teams Take a stake in team rights, leagues, or event operators.
Local businesses Start coaching, a pro shop, tournaments, or resurfacing services.
Media and software Build channels, newsletters, or court SaaS for clubs.
Debt financing Lend to facilities for buildouts with collateral and interest.

Each path has its own risks, returns, and time needs. Choose the one that fits your budget, skills, and goals. The rest of this guide details how to invest in pickleball in each lane and what to avoid.

Public market exposure to pickleball

Pure public plays are rare. But you can gain exposure through brands and operators that benefit from the sport.

Examples to research:

A global sports group that owns Wilson. It sells pickleball paddles and balls.
Escalade, Inc., which owns Onix. It focuses on paddles and nets.
Retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports. They benefit from equipment demand.
Shoe brands like Skechers. They sponsor pros and sell court shoes.
Fitness club operators like Life Time Group. They add pickleball courts and events.

How to review these stocks:

Product mix Check what percent of sales is from pickleball. Many do not break this out, so look for call notes or investor decks.
Growth drivers Track product launches, store space, and court buildouts.
Margins Paddles can have good margins. Retailers may have lower margins but stable cash flow.
Channel risk Watch for inventory swings and discounting after the holidays.

The upside is market liquidity and easy entry. The downside is mixed exposure and market swings. If you want a set-and-forget way for how to invest in pickleball, this can work, but expect broad risk.

Private deals and startups in pickleball

Private brands can grow fast. But they also carry more risk. I have reviewed early paddle brands and apps. Some were great. Some were all hype.

Ideas to explore:

Paddle and ball makers Focus on tech like thermoformed frames and carbon faces.
Booking platforms Tools for clubs to manage reservations and payments.
Coaching and training apps Video lessons and remote feedback for players.
Event tech Brackets, streaming, and sponsorship tools for tournaments.

What to check before you invest:

USA Pickleball approvals Paddles must be on the approved list for serious play.
Unit economics Gross margin over 55 percent is a good sign for gear. For SaaS, aim for high retention and low churn.
CAC and LTV Keep customer acquisition cost below one third of lifetime value.
Supply chain Can they ship on time and manage returns?
Brand moat Pros, club partners, and strong content help a lot.

I once backed a small paddle line for a test run. We used a simple pre-order and a demo day at two clubs. Sales were strong for three weeks. Then it slowed. The fix was not ads. It was coaching partnerships and weekly clinics. That raised repeat sales and kept returns low. The lesson is clear for how to invest in pickleball brands. Build community first. Push ads second.

Investing in pickleball facilities and real estate

Courts are the backbone. You can convert old warehouses, big-box shells, or tennis courts. You can also add courts to existing gyms. I helped a group convert 12,000 square feet into four indoor courts. Here is what we learned.

Basic unit economics:

Build cost Light conversion runs 35 to 80 per square foot. Premium builds go higher.
Pricing Court time runs 20 to 60 per hour per court by market.
Hours 12 to 16 hours per day is common in peak season.
Occupancy Mature sites can reach 55 to 75 percent on weekdays. Weekends can be higher.
Extra revenue Memberships, lessons, leagues, events, and food and drink add a lot.

A sample pro forma:

Four courts at 28 per hour, 14 hours per day, 60 percent use
Monthly hours 4 courts x 14 x 30 x 60 percent = about 1,008 hours
Monthly court revenue About 28,000
Add lessons, events, and memberships Another 12,000 to 20,000 per month
Monthly rent, staff, and utilities 25,000 to 40,000, depending on city
Result A lean site can break even in 8 to 14 months if ramp goes well

Key risks and fixes:

Noise Plan for acoustic panels and neighbor outreach.
Parking Off-peak leases help. Share with churches or offices.
Staffing Train reliable coaches. Protect your brand with safety and smiles.
Cash Make a pre-sale. Lock in early members before you open.

If you want a hands-on path for how to invest in pickleball, courts are powerful. But treat it like a real business. Not a hobby.

Franchises, leagues, and teams

Team ownership can be exciting. Major tours and leagues have grown fast. Some merged and restructured to fix costs and align calendars. This is all normal in new sports. But it adds risk.

What to know:

Revenue Leagues make money from media, tickets, sponsors, and team fees.
Costs Team ops, travel, player pay, marketing, and venues add up fast.
Liquidity These stakes are illiquid. Exits are not clear yet.
Governance Mergers and delays can happen. Read the terms twice.

Ways to play this lane:

Buy a minority stake in a team with a seasoned lead owner
Back event operators who run local and regional tournaments
Sponsor players or events for brand lift and sales

If you are set on how to invest in pickleball teams, cap your exposure. Use side letters on reporting and budgets. Tie more funding to clear milestones.

How to invest in pickleball through small local businesses

You do not need millions. You can start small and grow.

Ideas from my playbook:

Coaching Stand up clinics and junior programs. Use packages and referral rewards.
Pro shop Sell paddles, balls, and shoes on site. Add demo days.
Court services Offer resurfacing, lines, and acoustic fencing for HOAs and schools.
Events Run round robins and corporate team days. Sell sponsor banners.
Content Create a local channel with tips and match highlights. Use affiliate links.

I helped a coach launch a weekend clinic series with a 2,000 budget. We pre-sold 40 spots. He then sold 12 paddle bundles on site. Simple, clean, and low risk. This is a great way for how to invest in pickleball with little cash and a lot of hustle.

Due diligence checklist for how to invest in pickleball

Use this checklist before you wire a dollar.

Market and demand:

Local player counts and club waitlists
Court supply and new builds in the pipeline
Demographics by age and income

Business model:

Clear pricing, tiers, and packages
CAC, LTV, margins, and payback period
Supplier terms and inventory controls

Operations:

Staffing plans and training
Software stack for bookings and payments
Safety, waivers, and incident response

Legal and risk:

Zoning, permits, and noise rules
Insurance for injury and property
Strong contracts with vendors and partners

Financials:

Cash runway for delays
Sensitivity tests on rent, rates, and use
Exit paths if growth slows

Check each box. If two or more areas are weak, pause. This is the safest rule I use for how to invest in pickleball.

Step-by-step plan: how to invest in pickleball at any budget

Here is a simple plan by size.

If you have 500 to 5,000:

Take local clinics and meet club managers
Start a small content channel and test affiliate links
Lend paddles for demos and gather emails

If you have 5,000 to 50,000:

Partner with a coach on events and memberships
Launch a pop-up pro shop at clubs
Buy a small stake in a local tournament operator

If you have 50,000 to 500,000:

Convert a small space into two courts
Invest in a growing paddle brand with coach partners
Build a booking or league management tool for your region

If you have 500,000 plus:

Build a four to eight court site with food and drink
Buy a controlling stake in a regional operator
Back a tech platform that serves many clubs

At every level, track a simple scorecard. Leads, conversions, recurring revenue, and court hours. This is the heartbeat of how to invest in pickleball with discipline.

Risks, myths, and how to protect capital

Common myths:

Myth It is a fad. Fact Participation has grown for years across ages.
Myth Courts always print money. Fact Poor sites fail on noise, parking, and staffing.
Myth Ads solve sales. Fact Community and coaches drive repeat sales.

Main risks:

Oversupply Too many courts in one area can crush rates.
Seasonality Outdoor sites can slow in winter or rainy months.
League shake-ups Contracts and payment terms can change.
Injury and liability Use strong waivers and safe surfaces.

How to protect your capital:

Start small and test demand first
Build pre-sales before you sign a long lease
Diversify across gear, services, and events
Keep cash for delays and slow quarters

Follow these steps, and you cut the downside. You also build a real edge in how to invest in pickleball.

Frequently Asked Questions of how to invest in pickleball

Is pickleball growth slowing?

Most data still shows healthy growth, but pace varies by market. Look at local waitlists, not just national headlines.

What is the best first step with a small budget?

Help a coach run clinics or start a local event series. You learn fast and earn while you learn.

Are there any pickleball ETFs?

There are no pure pickleball ETFs yet. Use broader sports or retail funds, or pick single stocks with exposure.

How profitable are indoor courts?

Margins can be strong with high use and add-on sales. Profit depends on rent, pricing, and how well you program leagues and lessons.

How do I vet a paddle brand?

Check USA Pickleball approvals, margins, and supply chain. Talk to coaches and test paddles with players before you invest.

Should I buy a team?

Only if you can handle illiquidity and higher risk. Start with a small stake and clear reporting rights.

What insurance do I need for a facility?

You need general liability, property, and workers’ comp at minimum. Ask a broker who knows sports facilities.

Conclusion

Pickleball is not a trend. It is a community sport with real cash flow paths. You can buy stocks, back brands, build courts, or start a small local service. The key is simple. Start with demand, test small, and grow with data.

Pick one lane from this guide and take a first step this week. Book a site visit, call a coach, or review one brand’s numbers. If this helped, subscribe for more guides on how to invest in pickleball and other sports assets. Then share your plan in the comments so we can help you refine it.