October 5, 2026
Headlines

fitness

The Power of a Warm Welcome: Front Desk Excellence

Mary Ellen Dowd05 mins

A successful pickleball club isn’t just about the courts and paddles. It’s also about the experience. And a big part of that experience is the front desk.

Afterall, first impressions are everything, and the front desk is the first thing that members experience when they walk through a club’s doors. Research continually shows that a good first impression of a business will lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. In fact, 72% of customers will generally tell six or more people if they are having a satisfying experience with a business.

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How to Open a Successful Pickleball Facility

Facility Ally313 mins

You love pickleball. Everyone you know loves pickleball. Your community really wants/need more places to play. So why not open a pickleball facility?

Pickleball has exploded in popularity, creating exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs to open dedicated pickleball facilities. Whether you’re launching a standalone pickleball club or a multi-sport facility with additional entertainment options (or “EATertainment”), the journey involves careful planning, brand building, and operational setup. This guide will help you evaluate your options, develop a business plan, and execute on opening a thriving pickleball facility.

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Small Town, Big Impact: Fostering a Thriving Pickleball Community at Ridgway Pickleball Club

Mary Ellen Dowd06 mins

For the third consecutive year, pickleball has claimed the title of America’s fastest-growing sport, with participation having grown an average of 223.5% over the last 3 years.

It’s clear that the demand for pickleball is here, but how can club owners keep members happy enough to keep coming back? According to experts in the field, the key is community. 

A strong foundation is crucial for any successful pickleball club. By creating a welcoming environment, organizing social events, and fostering a sense of community, you can attract and retain members.

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How Eastside Paddle Builds Community and Breaks Aesthetic Barriers

Joseph Peshek08 mins

Eastside Paddle Club in Austin, Texas is providing a fresh approach to pickleball. Its dynamic community and intentional approach to aesthetics make the Eastside experience one of a kind.  Eastside Paddle is an “exclusive community dedicated to providing the ultimate pickleball experience.” The owners at Eastside Paddle are building an exciting community around a high-quality…

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Indiana University Pickleball: Patience Pays Off

Joseph Peshek011 mins

College pickleball has exploded over the past three years, and its explosion is a microcosm of the explosion of pickleball as a whole. The Indiana University Pickleball Club stands as an excellent example of the stirrings happening at the college level. Indiana University is a very large college with almost 50,000 undergraduates, yet three years ago, students wouldn’t have been able to find a club on campus. Fast forward to the present. IU Pickleball has hundreds of members, recreational and competitive play, and is currently ranked ninth overall on DUPR. 

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The HUB Brings Top-Notch Pickleball to the Golden State

Joseph Peshek08 mins

Despite the typical challenge of expanding a business in California, the owners at the HUB, a pickleball club quickly gaining steam, have opened three unique facilities in San Diego, Alameda, and Silicon Valley. Simply put, the HUB is doing a lot of things right, as each club offers exceptional pickleball courts, tasty food, and a lively community at each location. Business expansion can be difficult in any state, let alone in California, but the HUB’s prudent philosophy of growth has yielded several fruitful facilities. The current owners, Ted Angelo and Pat Rolfe hope to further their club’s growth by franchising to other states in the near future. 

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