Pickleball Franchise Costs & Opportunities, Top Brands (2025)

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Pickleball Franchise Costs & Opportunities, Top Brands (2025)

Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, with millions of players fueling demand for new courts, clubs, and leagues. For entrepreneurs, investing in a pickleball franchise is a chance to enter a high-growth market with proven systems and brand recognition.

This guide breaks down the investment requirements and leading pickleball franchises based on their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). At the end, you’ll also find free links to the FDDs you can download to help compare opportunities.

What Is a Pickleball Franchise?

A pickleball franchise is a membership-based franchised business that lets you operate a facility dedicated to the sport. Most include:

  • Indoor or outdoor courts designed for pickleball communities

  • Membership programs with recurring revenue

  • Leagues, tournaments, and clinics

  • Retail sales of paddles, apparel, and gear

  • Optional food & beverage or event space

Franchising gives you the advantage of an established franchise system, recognized brand, and ongoing training based on the franchisor’s operating manual. By following this model, franchise owners can scale more quickly than starting from scratch.

Pickleball Franchise Costs

According to 2025 FDDs, here’s what prospective franchisees can expect to invest:

  • Pickleball Kingdom: $940,000 – $2,257,600 total investment; initial franchise fee $60,000.

  • Ace Pickleball Club: $817,750 – $2,404,850 total investment; initial franchise fee starts at $60,000.

  • PickleRage: $797,800 – $1,783,200 total investment; initial franchise fee $65,000.

These ranges include real estate, leasehold improvements, court construction, technology systems, signage, training, advertising fees, and three months of working capital.

Investment Breakdown

The Item 7 tables in the FDDs provide more detail:

  • Pickleball Kingdom: Facilities feature 10–20 courts and may include beer & wine service. Leasehold improvements and court build-out are the biggest expenses.

  • Ace Pickleball Club: Centers average 25,000–40,000 sq. ft. with 8–16 courts, a café, and a retail pro shop. Court construction and leasehold improvements make up the majority of costs.

  • PickleRage: Combines pickleball with other racquet sports and tournaments, offering a lower starting range compared to competitors.

Revenue Potential

Pickleball franchises benefit from multiple revenue streams:

  • Memberships: Reliable recurring revenue

  • Leagues and tournaments: Community engagement and event hosting fees

  • Clinics and private lessons: Coaching programs for all skill levels

  • Retail sales: Paddles, balls, and branded apparel

  • Food & beverage: Snacks, concessions, and in some cases, alcohol service

  • Event rentals: Birthday parties, corporate outings, and social gatherings

  • Court reservations: Premium scheduling for peak times

With strong retention rates and cultural momentum, these models are built for recurring cash flow.

Comparing the Top Pickleball Franchise Brands

Franchise Brand Investment Range Franchise Fee Typical Facility Key Features
Pickleball Kingdom $940K – $2.25M $60K 10–20 courts Leagues, clinics, optional alcohol, multi-unit deals
Ace Pickleball Club $818K – $2.40M $60K+ 8–16 courts Café, retail pro shop, tournaments, strong corporate team
PickleRage $798K – $1.78M $65K Flexible layouts Combines pickleball & racquet sports, instruction, clinics

Why Invest in Pickleball Franchises Now?

  • Explosive Growth: Participation is up 150% in just 3 years across the United States.

  • Broad Appeal: Popular with retirees, families, and Millennials.

  • Territory Availability: Prime locations are still open compared to mature sectors.

  • Cultural Buzz: Pickleball dominates TikTok, ESPN, and national media.

Search trends for “pickleball franchise cost” and “pickleball franchises near me” continue to rise, signaling both investor and consumer demand.

Download the Free Pickleball Franchise FDDs

Before you invest, reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is essential. By law, franchisors must provide it at least 14 days before any binding franchise agreement or franchise sale. It’s regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect prospective franchisees.

To save you time, we’ve gathered the 2025 FDDs for:

Inside, you’ll find:

  • Startup investment ranges (Item 7)

  • Franchise fees, royalties, and advertising fees

  • Training, support, and the franchisor’s obligations

  • Key financial statements and risk factors

How to Get Started

Exploring a pickleball franchise means more than just checking costs. You need to review territories, evaluate the franchise system, and consider legal protections. Many candidates also choose to consult a franchise attorney to review agreements and disclosures.

As a consultant, I can:

Ready to explore? Contact us today to review pickleball franchise opportunities and see if they fit your goals.

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