How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pickleball Court? Indoor VS Outdoor

Pickleball’s popularity has exploded in recent years as one of the fastest growing sports. With its fun and social nature, more and more people want to get in on this paddle sport. So naturally, the demand for pickleball courts has also skyrocketed.

If you’ve caught the pickleball bug and are dreaming of your own home or community court, a major question arises – how much does it cost to build a pickleball court? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the expenses step-by-step.

Whether you want the most basic backyard court or a top-of-the-line tournament facility, understand the factors that influence pickleball construction costs. Use this information to budget for your ideal court and get ready to dink, volley, and spike your way to fun!

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun sport that is becoming more and more popular. It is easy to learn and play. Pickleball takes some things from tennis, badminton, and ping pong.

You play pickleball on a small court with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The court is about the size of a badminton court. It has a net in the middle that is a little lower than a tennis net.

Pickleball can be played either indoors or outdoors. It can be played as singles with one person on each side. Or it can be played as doubles with two people on each side.

Pickleball is great exercise and recreation for all ages. The rules are simple so beginners can start playing quickly. It is also social since you can play doubles. No wonder pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports!

Many cities are building public pickleball courts in parks for people to play on. Lots of folks also want to build pickleball courts at home so they can play whenever they want. But building a pickleball court costs money. Read on to learn what goes into the costs.

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Pickleball Court Size and Setup

Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts. The area inside the lines on the court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. This is called the playing area.

Around the playing area, you need some extra space. So the total court size should be at least 30 feet wide by 60 feet long.

For big tournaments, they may make the court even bigger – up to 34 feet wide by 64 feet long. This gives more room around the playing area.

The net goes across the middle of the court. It hangs down to 36 inches high on the sides. In the center, it dips down to 34 inches high.

The court surface needs to be smooth and flat. Most outdoor courts are paved with asphalt or concrete. Indoor courts can have special cushioned flooring.

Courts should be oriented north and south if possible. This prevents the sun from being in the players’ eyes. Good lighting is also important for indoor and outdoor courts.

Painted lines mark the playing area and service boxes. Permanent posts hold up the net tightly. These are key parts of a quality pickleball court setup.

What Affects the Cost to Build a Pickleball Court?

Many things go into the total cost when you build a pickleball court. Here are some of the main factors:

Location

Building a court outdoors in your backyard is different than building one at a park. Converting an existing tennis court also saves money over totally new construction.

Number of Courts

One court is the minimum, but most places want multiple courts. More courts allow for games, lessons, leagues, and tournaments. But extra courts add more to the project cost.

Amenities

Basic amenities include fencing, nets, and surface. Extra amenities like lighting, seating, and landscaping add more expenses. Public facilities may also need restrooms, storage, concessions, and parking.

Court Surfacing

For outdoors, asphalt is the most affordable surface. But concrete is more long-lasting. Indoors, cushioned vinyl or sport flooring is used. Fancier surfaces cost more to install.

Construction Factors

Local labor and material costs make a difference. Framing, grading, drainage, soil preparation, and demolition of an old surface all add costs if needed. Permits and fees must also be paid.

Now let’s look at sample budgets for different types of pickleball courts. This will give you an idea of the range of costs.

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Sample Costs for Outdoor Pickleball Courts

Here are some examples of budget, mid-range, and high-end outdoor pickleball courts and their estimated costs:

Budget Outdoor Court

• Asphalt surface
• Basic court markings
• Portable net system
• No amenities
• Cost: $15,000 – $25,000

This affordable option has a basic asphalt playing surface and portable nets. It gets you playing pickleball with minimal costs.

Mid-Range Outdoor Court

• Asphalt or concrete surface
• Permanent net posts and net
• Court fencing
• Cost: $25,000 – $40,000

An upgraded outdoor court adds fencing and permanent nets. It still uses affordable asphalt or concrete surfacing.

High-End Outdoor Court

• Post-tension concrete surface
• Stadium lighting
• Landscaping
• Bleacher seating
• Restrooms/storage shed
• Cost: $40,000 – $60,000+

This deluxe outdoor court has premium surface, lighting, amenities, and aesthetic details. It’s built for tournaments and serious play.

Outdoor courts can range from simple to elaborate. Plan your budget based on your needs and how much play the courts will get.

Sample Costs for Indoor Pickleball Courts

Indoor pickleball courts have different considerations than outdoor courts. Here are some sample indoor court budgets:

Budget Indoor Court

• Cushioned vinyl flooring
• Court markings
• Portable net system
• Cost: $10,000 – $15,000

This basic indoor court has affordable flooring and a portable net system. Great for limited budgets.

Mid-Range Indoor Court

• Cushioned sports flooring
• Electronic scoreboard
• Permanent net system
• Cost: $20,000 – $35,000

This upgraded court has better flooring, permanent nets, and an electronic scoreboard. Provides a quality playing experience.

High-End Indoor Court

• Advanced sports flooring
• Electronic scoreboard
• Stadium lighting
• Viewing area
• Cost: $35,000 – $50,000+

For indoor competitive and tournament play, this court has premium flooring, lighting, and amenities.

Since indoor courts don’t require the same land grading and preparation as outdoor courts, the costs tend to be lower overall.

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How to Save on Your Pickleball Court?

There are some ways to reduce the costs of building a pickleball court:

• Convert an existing tennis court – Adding pickleball lines and nets to a tennis court is cheaper than building from scratch.
• DIY construction – Doing some of the work yourself like surface prep and painting lines saves on labor costs.
• Grants – Apply for grants from pickleball associations and community recreation programs.
• Crowdfunding – Many communities have used crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for public pickleball courts.
• Court kits – Purchase a complete portable court kit for a backyard court on the cheaper end.
• Basic amenities – Keep your court simple without a lot of extras until more funds are available.

While it requires an investment, a quality pickleball court provides years of enjoyment. Do your research to keep construction costs reasonable for your needs and budget.

Is a Pickleball Court a Good Investment?

Building a pickleball court is a major project and costs a fair amount of money. Is it worth investing in?

Here are some of the benefits that come with having your own pickleball court:

• Pickleball is increasing in popularity and demand. Courts get lots of use in most communities.
• It provides fun recreation and exercise for players of all ages. Great activity for families.
• Courts allow you to play whenever you want instead of waiting to reserve court time.
• Private and public pickleball courts can host competitive events and tournaments which draw visitors.
• Adds value to schools, clubs, HOAs by offering members popular amenity.
• Creates a community around a shared interest – great for making friends!

While the upfront cost seems high, the amount of use and enjoyment a home or community gets from quality pickleball courts makes it an investment that pays off over time. The sport’s popularity is only rising, so pickleball courts are likely to get even more use.

Careful planning and budgeting allows you to build a great pickleball court that fits your needs and budget. So grab a paddle and start your pickleball court project today!

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Conclusion:

Building a shiny new pickleball court takes planning, effort, and a carefully thought out budget. But the rewards are well worth it. Quality pickleball courts provide endless hours of recreation, exercise, and community bonding for years to come.

Use this guide to understand pickleball court costs based on your needs. From simple backyard courts to deluxe tournament facilities, you can make your pickleball dreams a reality. Mind your budget, but don’t let high price tags deter you – there are ways to save on construction. With pickleball’s popularity soaring, your new court is sure to get loved by players for decades to come!