Idle pickleball courts during off-peak hours present both a challenge and an opportunity. Over my years working with sports facilities, I’ve seen firsthand how creativity and community-focused programming can transform slow times into some of the most rewarding hours on your schedule. To stand out and maximize your facility’s potential, here are three impactful strategies to fill your courts, boost revenue, and engage your community:
1. Private Events – Company Team Building and Nonprofits
One of the biggest missed opportunities for pickleball facilities is hosting private events. Businesses are constantly looking for engaging, team-building activities, and your facility is the perfect solution. It doesn’t have to be just pickleball. You can incorporate other fun games that don’t take up much space, like Speed Jenga, Cornhole, and more. Companies often prefer to hold these events during work hours so they don’t encroach on employees’ personal time. Additionally, a weekly corporate league or networking pickleball event is another great way to bring in businesses during the mornings, lunch breaks, or happy hour.
Nonprofits are always searching for fresh fundraising ideas. Offering pickleball charity tournaments, silent auctions, or percentage-of-sales donations can position your facility as a community hub while also bringing in new players. Your courts, paddles, and more offer great sponsorship opportunities to increase nonprofit fundraising efforts. Partnering with local chambers of commerce and optimizing your website for SEO with relevant event pages can help businesses and nonprofits find your facility when searching for team-building or fundraising opportunities.
2. Youth Programs – Growing the Next Generation of Players
Youth programs not only introduce the next generation to the sport but also create long-term customers for your facility. Hosting youth clinics, school partnerships, and seasonal pickleball camps can drive revenue and build community engagement. Parents are always on the lookout for active, structured programs for their kids, making this an excellent opportunity to fill courts during slower hours. With homeschooling on the rise, there are plenty of kids and groups looking for activities in the morning and during the day outside of peak hours.
To maximize the impact, work with schools, community centers, and local youth organizations to introduce pickleball as an alternative sport option. You can also offer beginner leagues specifically for kids, ensuring they have a pathway to continue playing as they grow. Sponsoring junior tournaments or “Parent & Me” events can further strengthen your program’s appeal.
3. Fitness Programs – Pickleball as a Health and Wellness Tool
Pickleball is more than just a game—it’s an incredible fitness tool. With its low-impact yet high-cardio nature, it appeals to players of all ages. Adding fitness-oriented pickleball sessions, such as cardio pickleball classes or skill-and-drill sessions, can attract a new audience to your facility. Retired seniors with extra time are a great target for a senior-specific fitness program during the day. There are even options for Medicare Advantage to cover some of your pickleball programs, making it an accessible and beneficial offering.
Consider partnering with local gyms, personal trainers, or physical therapists to promote pickleball as a cross-training workout. Hosting pickleball-specific fitness challenges or open workout sessions for beginners can help bridge the gap between casual players and long-term members. Promoting these offerings through targeted social media campaigns and partnerships with wellness organizations can boost participation and brand visibility.
Real-World Experience. Proven Strategies.
Opening a pickleball facility can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The approaches I share here aren’t theories—they’re strategies I’ve used firsthand while building KC Crew, helping launch venues like The Pickleball Factory, and learning from top industry leaders on The Facility Playbook podcast.
If you’re looking for ways to make your facility a go-to destination, I’d love to help. Whether you’re refining your programming or exploring new revenue streams, let’s strategize together and ensure your courts are always active.
Reach out to Luke Wade at Facility Ally for more information.
