Pickleball, a racket sport that originated in the United States, is experiencing strong growth in France and offers great potential for commercial spaces. Let’s break down this trend that’s spreading across our regions!

IS Pickleball THE NEW Padel?

Pickleball, a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is played with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball, either in singles or doubles. Easy to learn, it appeals to both young and old because YES: pickleball is accessible - even for those over 70. And trust me, you don’t want to be on the other side of the net !

Why are more and more pickleball courts opening?

Beyond its fun aspect, pickleball is also gaining popularity because… it’s trendy. Indeed, in France, its popularity has increased by more than 150% in recent years! Supported by the French Tennis Federation (FFT), online searches have exploded: from 5,400 in September 2021 to 90,500 in May 2025. A real gem !

In addition to the enthusiasm of the French public, pickleball is also attracting the attention of commercial property owners, who see in it:

A sports leisure opportunity on “small surfaces”: a pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court (13.41 meters long, 6.10 meters wide, and 9 m ceiling height).
Accessibility and inclusivity: its “gentleness” on the joints makes pickleball accessible to everyone, promoting social and intergenerational connections in the heart of the city.
Temporary activation: courts can be installed temporarily, transforming any available space into a permanent play area or event location.

Pickleball: a way to make commercial spaces profitable

For municipalities and project developers, integrating pickleball can be done in several smart ways:

Places with high ceilings (>9 m): How can a tall space be converted? With tape, portable nets, and loaner equipment! Turn your hosts into paddle suppliers and you’re good to go.
Outdoor events in summer: More and more padel courts are outdoors—the same goes for pickleball tournaments!
Event spaces: Do you rent your spaces to companies? Check the dimensions—you might have the opportunity to include pickleball courts in your programming. With nearly 100% full sessions, pickleball proves to be a great way to make your venues or temporary sites profitable.

Pickleball: an activity booster for cities

More and more cities are exploring pickleball, particularly to create summer activities. Why? Here are 3 positive impacts shared by our clients:

Public Health: Pickleball is a moderate but complete physical activity, ideal for combating sedentary lifestyles, especially among seniors.
Social Connection: Doubles play is very popular, encouraging interaction and the creation of strong local communities.
Modern Image: Adopting this trendy sport positions the municipality as dynamic, innovative, open to new trends, and eager to offer diverse leisure activities to its residents.

Pickleball vs Padel: comparison

Pickleball is often compared to padel, but these sports are actually very different. While padel is closer to squash, pickleball is more similar to tennis and badminton.

On one hand, walls are excluded (to the delight of the neighbors!): pickleball is played strictly within the court boundaries.

On the other hand, pickleball balls are “holed”—like a mix between a tennis ball and a badminton shuttle—whereas padel balls are closer in size to tennis balls but have the elasticity and bounce of squash balls.

Finally, let’s talk about cost. Pickleball is an affordable sport; in fact, it’s a true social connector in the United States, where it serves as a community meeting point in parks—just like soccer fields.

Simpler and cheaper to install, pickleball also adapts particularly well to existing spaces, whereas padel requires an enclosed and expensive structure, along with noise reduction systems.

Everything you need to know before investing in pickleball: costs, surfaces, and prices

What surface is needed for a pickleball court?

An official pickleball court measures 13.41 meters long and 6.10 meters wide—the same as a doubles badminton court.
The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, extends 2.13 meters on each side of the net. The net itself is 0.91 meters high at the posts and 0.86 meters at the center.

How much does it cost to install a pickleball court?

Includes: delivery, installation, line marking, and standard net.

Mini court --> Surface: 84.4 m². Price: from €3,700 excl. tax
Medium court --> Surface: 138 m². Price: between €4,900 and €6,000 excl. tax
Standard court --> Surface: 174 m². Price: between €6,900 and €8,700 excl. tax

Find all information and prices at : terrain-pickleball.com

Average pickleball session prices in France

Pickleball Club (Paris) --> €9.90/person for a 1h30/2h session
4Padel (Paris/Vaires-sur-Marne) --> €8/person for a 1h30 session
Country Club Nantais (Nantes) --> €12/person for a 1h session
Pickle Arena (Bordeaux) --> €8.50–€11/person for a 1h session
1NPICK (Lyon) --> €7–€9/person for a 1h session

So, if you weren’t already convinced, you probably are now. Whether as a player, entrepreneur, investor, property owner, municipality, or even king of the world… pickleball is a sporting gem not to be missed!

Want to learn more about urban and sports trends? Contact us now !