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Pickleball is fast becoming one of America’s most popular sports, and if you don’t have a pickleball court nearby, you might feel like you’re missing out!

Pickleball is a fun and, for the most part, accessible sport, that appeals to all ages and genders. So, if you want to jump into the pickleball craze, you might be wondering how much it costs to build a pickleball court.

A pickleball court can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, with the cost depending on materials used, and labor hired.

Check out this guide to learn more about building your own pickleball court.

The Basics Of The Pickleball Court

There’s no clear and obvious price tag when it comes to building a pickleball court. The cost will be affected by what structures you have in place, the quality of the finish, and who you hire to complete the work.

Let’s start by looking at the basics of the pickleball court. A pickleball court measures 20 by 44 feet, and this can be used by both singles and doubles players.

However, the overall pad should be 30 by 60 feet at least. If you want to host tournament pickleball, or you’re building a single court, the total pad size should preferably be 34 by 64 feet.

In terms of surface, an outdoor pickleball court often uses a concrete or asphalt base. However, you may prefer a cushion or gel option. These are the courts the pros use, and they are significantly more expensive.

With these basics in place, it’s time to consider the extras. A net and court lines are necessary, but fences and lights are dependent on where and when you intend to play.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pickleball Court?

The average cost for building a pickleball court is around $25,000. This is roughly the same cost of installing a swimming pool.

The price can be bought up or down, depending on if you choose a basic court, or if you prefer something with a little more luxury.

Laying The Pad

Laying the pad for the pickleball court is likely to be your largest expense, and it’s an unavoidable one.

A pickleball court measures 20 by 44 feet, but the pad should be at least 30 by 60 feet, or 180 square feet.

Once the area is cleared and leveled, it’s time to lay the pad. The surface you choose will greatly affect the cost.

Asphalt and concrete are both relatively inexpensive options, and concrete requires little maintenance.

However, if you want a gel court or cushioned court, like the pros use, then expect to pay a lot more.

A concrete pad can cost around $10,000. A cushioned court might cost upwards of $40,000.

Perimeter Fencing

The importance of fencing really depends on where the pickleball court is.

In a public area, fencing is a must. It will prevent passersby from injury, and stop people from walking across the court.

Chain link fencing is priced at roughly $25 per foot, so you can expect installing a fence to cost around $5,000.

However, for a home court, fencing might not be a necessity. For a start, you might already have a fence in place.

Pickleballs also don’t have the roll and bounce of tennis balls. Surrounding your court with grass can stop the balls from traveling too far.

Pickleball Net

Order your net in advance of laying the pad, and you can ask the contractor to cut footers to set the poles. Expect the net to cost around $1000.

Alternatively, you can use a portable net. These are cheaper and easier, but do require more day to day upkeep.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pickleball Court

Surfacing

Sport court paint provides a professional surface that looks and feels good to play on.

A coat of sport court paint on top of a primer can extend the life of your surface, requiring less upkeep for the pad underneath.

Don’t forget, you’ll also need to add your pickleball lines. The USAPA has provided all the necessary dimensions for laying a pickleball court.

It’s recommended the court orientates north-south, for better protection from the elements.

Lighting

The necessity of lighting for your pickleball court is very much dependent on where your pickleball court is, and how you intend to use it.

USAPA provides lighting guides, to help you install the correct amount of lighting for optimum play. Standard lighting is likely to cost around $5,000.

If you’re building a pickleball court in your backyard, you may not need any lighting.

For public pickleball courts, make sure to consider your local guidelines regarding outdoor lighting.

Contractors

Building a pickleball court isn’t necessarily the most complex construction job, particularly as once the pad is in place, most of the essential work is done.

However, installing that initial pad can be highly technical. This is the foundation of your pickleball court, and the biggest part of the total expense.

Hiring contractors might up the overall cost of building a pickleball court, but it can reduce the eventual upkeep expenses.

Upkeep

From time to time, your pickleball court will need to be resurfaced. This is a necessity, and frequent use of the court will wear down both the surface and the pad.

Converting A Tennis Court Into A Pickleball Court

Building a pickleball court from scratch is likely to cost you around $25,000. However, if you have a tennis court already in place, you can bring those costs right down.

A full-size tennis court including the fence will measure roughly 120 feet by 60 feet. This space can comfortably hold two pickleball courts (see also ‘How Big Is A Pickleball Court?‘).

If you intend to convert a tennis court to a pickleball court, the primary expense will be removing the net, and installing a new one. Further expenses will include resurfacing, and adding the pickleball lines!

Final Thoughts

A basic pickleball court is likely to cost around $25,000 to install, although for a premium surface, you can potentially double the expense.

Most of your budget will go towards laying the initial foundation, but once that is in place, you can be playing pickleball for years!