Is pickleball the real deal? This paddle sport has taken the nation by storm, sweeping across cities and suburbs. And multifamily owners and operators have taken note.
The rise of pickleball
Pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is attracting players of all ages and skill levels. Thanks to its relative simplicity and comfortably paced gameplay, pickleball has been picking up new players by the millions.
And it’s even displacing more traditional sports. In 2023, pickleball surpassed tennis for the first time ever, based on data from a recent Apple Heart and Movement Study. The number of pickleball courts has also been growing, with over 50,000 known courts, according to the organization USA Pickleball.
The demand for pickleball courts is growing. Up from 22 percent only two years ago, 28 percent of renters today are interested in having a pickleball court on site at their community, according to a 2024 renter survey from the National Multifamily Housing Council.
And renters are willing to pay nearly $57 more a month for access to a pickleball court, according to the same survey.
The nation’s fastest-growing sport is on track for continued growth in 2024, with renter demand for sports courts and outdoor space outpacing supply.
How multifamily communities are embracing pickleball
Pickleball has seen exponential growth among multifamily communities. Since 2021, the number of Apartments.com listings with a pickleball court has increased more than seven-fold, with the number of pickleball courts doubling or tripling each year.
But what if you already have an onsite tennis court? Some multifamily communities are modifying their tennis courts for pickleball use. Since pickleball requires less space than tennis, courts can accommodate more pickleball players at a time — up to four pickleball courts per tennis court
How to appeal to pickleball fans
If your community offers a pickleball court, don’t forget to show this amenity on your listing.
As of August, pickleball is now a standard amenity on Apartments.com listings. Renters interested in having a pickleball court handy can easily find communities that offer this amenity. Get ready to rally!
Explore more multifamily trends
Access to pickleball isn’t the only amenity renters love. Check out what else is new in renter trends:
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