How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pickleball Court

Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. As pickleball’s popularity continues to rise, more and more people are looking to build pickleball courts. But how much does it cost to build a pickleball court? Let’s break it down.

The Basics of a Pickleball Court

Chapters

A regulation outdoor pickleball court is 20′ x 44′ – slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court. The court is striped similar to a tennis court, with a net in the middle that hangs at 36″ at the sidelines and 34″ in the middle.

Unlike tennis, pickleball is played with a plastic perforated ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and composite or wooden paddles. The ball moves slower than a tennis ball, allowing the game to be played on a smaller court.

The court surface can be asphalt, concrete, or sports court tiles. How much does it cost to build a pickleball court near depends largely on the surface type.

Asphalt Courts

Asphalt is one of the cheapest ways to build a pickleball court. Installing an asphalt court costs $3-$6 per square foot on average.

With pickleball courts requiring 880 square feet, you can expect to pay $2,640-$5,280 for asphalt. This doesn’t include site prep, fencing, nets, and painting. With all factors included, budget $5,000-$10,000 for a basic asphalt pickleball court.

Asphalt pros:

Cost-effective option
Easy to maintain
Works well for casual play

Asphalt cons:

Can crack, fade, and deteriorate over time
Not ideal for competitive/tournament play
Limited color options

Concrete Courts

Concrete courts are more durable than asphalt. They hold up better over time and withstand heavy use.

Concrete pickleball courts cost $4-$8 per square foot installed. For an 880 sq ft court, expect to invest $3,520-$7,040 in the concrete alone. With other expenses, plan on $8,000-$15,000 total.

Concrete pros:

Very durable surface
Withstands heavy use
Minimal maintenance

Concrete cons:

More expensive than asphalt
Cracks can still develop
Limited color options

Sport Court Tiles

Sport court tiles provide a cushioned playing surface in a modular tile system. Tiles are interlocked together and installed over a flat, stable base.

Sport court tiles run $10-$20 per square foot installed. For a complete pickleball court, costs range from $8,800-$17,600. With other expenses, budget $15,000-$25,000 for a tile court.

Sport court tile pros:

Cushioned playing surface
Customizable colors
Easy-to-repair sections

Sport court tile cons:

Most expensive option
Tiles can become damaged/dislodged
Not ideal for areas with extreme weather

Resurfacing Existing Courts

You may be able to save money by resurfacing an existing tennis or basketball court into pickleball courts. This involves re-painting lines, adjusting the net height, and potentially applying an acrylic resurfacing system or sport court tiles on top.

Resurfacing costs $2-$4 per square foot on average. To convert a standard tennis court into 2-4 pickleball courts, budget $3,500-$7,000 for resurfacing. This is often the most affordable way to add pickleball if you already have a suitable court.

Indoor Pickleball Courts

Indoor pickleball courts provide a weatherproof place to play year-round. They are built using the same sport court tile systems used for outdoor installations.

You may be wondering, how much does it cost to build an indoor pickleball court? Well, Indoor pickleball courts cost $15,000-$30,000 on average. The main expenses are the flooring system and converting/building an indoor space if needed. Operating costs are also higher for indoor lighting, climate control, etc.

Pickleball Court Cost Factors

Here are some other factors that influence the overall cost of a new pickleball court:

Site prep: Grading, excavation, drainage, landscaping etc. Can add $2,000-$5,000.
Fencing: Chain link fencing costs $15-$20 per linear foot. For a 20′ x 44′ court, figure $1,500-$2,000.
Nets & equipment: Regulation nets, balls, paddles etc. $500-$1,500.
Court surface color: Color coating adds $0.25-$0.75 per square foot.
Court lighting: For night play. $2,000-$4,000.
Contractors: Some homeowners DIY, but most hire contractors to install courts.
Location: Costs vary by region. Rural areas are cheaper than urban areas.
Multi-court complexes: Building multiple courts together is more efficient.

How many square feet is a pickleball court?

A regulation-size pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, equaling 880 square feet. This allows for the proper court dimensions including doubles sidelines and safety runoff space beyond the baselines.

The total dimensions for a singles court are smaller at 15 feet wide by 44 feet long, equaling 660 square feet.

For recreational play, often a smaller court size may be used. Mini-courts can be as small as 16 feet by 30 feet.

So in summary:

Regulation pickleball court: 20′ x 44′ = 880 square feet
Regulation singles court: 15′ x 44′ = 660 square feet
Mini recreational court: Variable, around 480-500 square feet.

When planning to build a dedicated pickleball court, be sure to check your local building codes for required court dimensions and safety margins. The standard 880 square feet allows ample room for doubles play.

Backyard Residential Pickleball Courts

Many homeowners are building pickleball courts right in their own backyards. Backyard courts typically range from $3,000 for a simple DIY court up to $15,000+ for a decked-out court with lighting, fencing, etc.

The ease and cost depend on the slope and drainage of your property, permitting requirements, surface type, access to equipment for prep and installation, and special features.

Backyard pickleball is great for family recreation and practicing at home. But be mindful of noise if close to neighbors, as the popping sound of the pickleball paddle can carry.

How much does it cost to resurface a pickleball court?

The cost to resurface a pickleball court can vary depending on the size of the court, the condition of the existing surface, and materials used. However, as a general estimate, resurfacing a regulation-size pickleball court (20′ x 44′) can range from $3,000-$7,000. Factors that affect the cost include:

Surface area – Larger courts will require more materials and labor.
Surface type – Some surfaces like asphalt are cheaper than others like acrylic or post-tension concrete.
Repair work needed – Fixing major cracks, holes, drainage issues will add to the cost.
Location – Prices are affected by contractor availability and materials cost in different regions.
Coating system – More durable systems with cushioning underlayment, multiple layers of acrylic, etc. cost more.
Additional features – Logos, lining for multiple courts, fencing can increase the price.

To get an accurate quote, have contractors inspect your existing court and provide estimates for the specific resurfacing work required. Be sure to get multiple bids for comparison.

How to build a pickleball court?

Building a dedicated pickleball court requires planning, preparation, and the right materials and tools. The basic steps are:

Plan the court location and orientation – Allow at least 30′ x 60′ for a regulation-size court with safety runoff areas. Orient north-south if possible.
Grade and prepare the ground – The area should be flat, sloped for drainage, and have a compacted base. Install edging to delineate the court area.
Pour asphalt or concrete – Asphalt is cheaper while concrete is more durable. Allow time for it to cure properly.
Apply color coating – Acrylic resin coatings create the smooth playing surface and can be customized with colors and logos. Apply 2-3 layers.
Line the court – Use taping, vinyl, or paint to create the 2” wide pickleball court lines as per specs. Allow proper curing time.
Add fencing and net system – Install fencing, net posts, center strap, and nets per regulation height and tensioning.
Allow curing time before play – Let coatings fully cure before use, usually 5-7 days.

Proper planning, prep work, materials selection, and installation techniques are needed to build a regulation-sized and playable pickleball court. Hiring experienced contractors is recommended.