Pickleball in Arizona is on the rise as many Arizonans start playing America's fastest-growing sport. In Phoenix, Pebblecreek Pickleball Club offers everything a new or seasoned pickleballer could require. There are also excellent facilities in Chandler (Pickleball Kingdom), Mesa (Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Club), and Tempe (Tempe Sports Complex).
Pickleball in Arizona
New facilities are popping up everywhere in Arizona to accommodate the growing interest in pickleball in the state. Arizona recently celebrated the opening of Pickleball Kingdom, a dedicated indoor pickleball sports complex, complete with indoor courts and everything a pickleball player might need.
With the demand for indoor and outdoor courts on the rise, many pickleball facilities are starting to take the places traditionally held by other hobbies – such as tennis courts and golf courses – in community parks. AZ Big Media reported on the huge demand for places to play pickleball among players of all skill levels.
One of the reasons for pickleball’s popularity in Arizona is the large percentage of retired residents. This is similar to places such as Florida, which is also a stronghold for pickleball. Though pickleball players come in all ages, and casual players trend younger, the majority of core players fall into the over 55 category, making it a very popular game among the retired adult community.
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball Kingdom
Pickleball Kingdom is an exciting, brand-new pickleball facility found in Chandler, Arizona. They offer memberships to be paid monthly or annually, with fun offerings for those who only want to play pickleball in the morning or evening. Drop-in play runs every day, three times a day (6am-10am, 11am-2pm, and 5pm-8pm), with events, lessons, and tournaments taking place around these sessions.
Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Center
The Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Center is a fantastic pickleball facility serving the pickleball players of Mesa, Arizona. They have drop-in match play running multiple times a week throughout the year. You can either pay a monthly fee ($12-$15) or $3 per event you play in.
If you already have playing partners and want to play a more serious, organized match, it’s also possible to hire the courts for $5 an hour.
Tempe Sports Complex
Tempe Sports Complex has eight outdoor courts for pickleball play. The City of Tempe also offers lessons and clinics and provides pickleball facilities at a number of venues.
Paradise Valley Community Center
The Community Center in Paradise Valley provides four indoor gym courts for pickleball play. These are great value for residents of Paradise Valley, with only the $20 per year pass needed to play anywhere in the city (or $40 a year for non-residents!).
Pickleball Clubs & Organizations
Pebblecreek Pickleball Club
Pebblecreek Pickleball Club is based in Phoenix and is an absolute mecca for pickleball players throughout Arizona.
With incredible court facilities, player development programs, open play schedules, and loads of tournaments (including both Round Robins and Ladders), this is an excellent place to play pickleball.
Lifetime membership of the club is available for just $600, while yearly membership – giving you unlimited play and access to all the events! – only costs $107 a year. You won’t find a better bang for your buck for pickleball in Arizona.
Palm Creek Pickleball Club
One of the best pickleball clubs in Arizona outside of Phoenix is the Palm Creek Pickleball Club, situated in beautiful Casa Grande.
With affordable dues of only $35 a year, the club has over 1300 members and 32 dedicated pickleball courts! Check out their website for information on how to join and get involved.
Pickleball Tournaments
Arizona hosts a large number of pickleball tournaments. Some are professional events, while others are aimed at amateurs, and many cater to both communities. Some of the biggest tournaments in the state of Arizona are:
- The Annual Legacy Classic
- The Carvana PPA Desert Ridge Open
- The Tucson Senior Olympic Festival
- The Pebblecreek Tournament
- Annual Leisure World Pickleball Tournament
Pickleball Lessons
If you are a new player looking for pickleball lessons, there are a number of solid options available to you in the state of Arizona.
- If you become a member of Pickleball Kingdom, you gain access to their Pickleball 101 program – a free “intro to pickleball” course for new players! Even better, you can bring along a friend who isn’t a member – so if you’ve got a buddy who needs convincing to pick up a paddle, this is the perfect way to get them hooked on America’s fastest-growing sport!
- Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Center offers three levels of instruction for pickleball players living in Mesa. Adult Skills and Drills 101 is for players of skill level 1 and below; Adult Skills and Drills is for those at level 2; and Adult Liveball is a fast-paced, instructor-led game for skill level 3 and above players who want to get their heart racing!
