If you like pickles and sports, you’re going to love pickleball! Okay, so maybe there aren’t any guaranteed pickles, but there is guaranteed fun! In fact, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and smart investors are starting to take notice.

Whether you want to capitalize off of pickleball’s popularity, or you simply want a backyard court so that you can play to your heart’s content, your #1 question is probably, “How much does it cost to build a pickleball court?”

Get started on a pickleball facility of your own!

There isn’t a one-size fits all answer, so we’re going to break it down based on outdoor courts and indoor facilities.

Cost to Build an Outdoor Pickleball Court

cost to build a pickleball court outside courts

Building a simple, regulation-sized outdoor pickleball court will cost between $25,000-$40,000. Pickleball courts have a playing area of 30 x 60 feet, but the actual court is only 20 x 44 feet. So, this court is small enough to fit in a spacious backyard. Some homeowners install basketball courts in their backyards— why not a pickleball court if it’s your favorite hobby?

Various factors that contribute to the overall cost of an outdoor pickleball court include:

Site preparation (clearing and grading)
Concrete installation
Paint
Net
Labor costs

Optional additions include a fence around the court and lighting for nighttime play. You can forgo these additions if you want to keep costs as low as possible when building a backyard court.

Keep in mind that these are the costs involved if you already own the property on which you want to build the court. If you need to acquire the property, you’ll have to factor in the price to purchase the plot of land.

1) Site Preparation & Grading

You’ll need to find an ideal location for your outdoor pickleball court. Be sure to align the court north to south. This configuration is common practice for tennis courts and pickleball courts alike. You don’t want to be starting directly into the sun at sunrise or sunset!

We’re going to go ahead and assume that you don’t have an excavator or bulldozer in your garage. So once the location is confirmed, you’ll need to hire a contractor to clear out trees, bushes, grass, and other obstructions. Then, the contractor will need to create a 1% slope to avoid standing water. This entire task costs roughly $5,000-$10,000.

2) Concrete Installation

Pouring the concrete or asphalt for the court is the most expensive part of the project. 4×6 concrete slabs are an affordable and easy-to-work-with solution. Going this route will cost $6,000-$10,000 without including labor costs. Be sure to apply an acrylic resurfaced to prevent cracks long-term.

3) Paint the Court

cost to build a pickleball court painting the courts

Now for the fun part! Once the concrete has set, you can start bringing your pickleball court to life. Now, you can still hire a paint contractor to ensure a clean and precise result, or you can save some money by going the DIY route.

All paint on pickleball courts needs to be 100% acrylic. You can opt for a blue or green court, which is the most common, or you can pick any other color that tickles your fancy! Just make sure you can still see the white boundary lines.

Once the paint has dried, you can install the net and call your outdoor court good! Fencing and lighting are smart ideas for public courts, but they’re optional for backyard courts.

Cost to Build an Indoor Sports Facility

Now, what if you want to turn pickleball into a business venture, but you live somewhere (like the Midwest) where winters are intense every year? If you want to build a pickleball sporting facility that can be used all year round, indoor courts are your best option.

Building an indoor pickleball court will cost more than an outdoor court because you have to account for building the structure itself. However, if making money is your long-term goal, this is a fantastic option because you can incorporate other activities under one roof, which we’ll touch on more below.

You have a couple of options for building an indoor pickleball court:

Purchase and convert an existing building or;
Build one from the ground up.

If you have a unique vision for your sporting facility, it’s more advantageous to start from scratch. However, you can acquire an old warehouse for a lower price and build out the facility as necessary.

The bones of the sporting facility will cost you anywhere between $200,000 and $2 million dollars, depending on the size and features you want. If all you want is 3 or 4 simple indoor courts and nothing more, you’ll be on the lower end of the price scale.

But if you want luxurious locker rooms, a full restaurant and bar, and other sporting courts? Budget a for a few million dollars.

Many sporting facilities can be built in the same vein as a warehouse. For more information on warehouse pricing, check out our guide here.

Consider Incorporating Other Sporting Courts or Activities

cost to build a pickleball court adding courts

If you want to have the best chance at profiting off of a new pickleball court, consider going above and beyond pickleball for your indoor court. Pickleball can absolutely be the star of the show, but don’t be afraid to get creative and build a gathering place that attracts all walks of life.

Consider adding these features and activities:

Spa and/or sauna
Other sporting courts (basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc.)
A rock climbing wall
Weight room
Yoga or group fitness classes
Cafe, bar, and/or restaurant
Arcade games
Bowling lanes

Ready to Help as Your Commercial Construction Partner

Here at APX Construction Group, we’re so excited to see how pickleball is growing in popularity and offering a new opportunity for entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to build an indoor pickleball court in the Upper Midwest, APX is the most reliable general contracting partner you can find.

With a 5-star rating and countless referrals, we know you can feel confident working with us on any sporting facility project. Reach out to our responsive team today to schedule a free consultation!