Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years, quickly becoming one of the fastest growing sports in North America. Combining elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is a fun game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Many pickleball enthusiasts are now looking to build courts in their own backyards to be able to play whenever they want. However, building a dedicated pickleball court takes up a lot of space. A great solution is to build a combination of pickleball and basketball court that allow you to play both sports.
How Many Pickleball Courts Fit on a Basketball Court?
Pickleball basketball court size is the first thing to consider when planning your combination court. A regulation basketball courts is 50 feet wide by 94 feet long, equaling 4,700 square feet of playing space. A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, totaling 880 square feet. So a full-sized basketball court can fit five pickleball courts side-by-side across the width. You can also fit two lengthwise pickleball courts end-to-end inside a regulation basketball court.
Most residential pickleball basketball courts will be smaller than the regulation size. But the proportions still allow you to fit multiple pickleball courts on a backyard basketball court. For example, a 40×60-foot backyard basketball court could accommodate two side-by-side pickleball courts. And a 30×40 basketball court could fit one lengthwise pickleball court. Get creative with the layout to maximize your play space.
Pickleball Basketball Court Measurements
The dimensions of a regulation pickleball court are 44 feet long by 20 feet wide (13.41 m x 6.1 m). This is the total playing area, including safety margins beyond the actual pickleball lines. The court itself has the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court.
For casual recreational play, smaller court sizes can be used. But for competitive tournament play, the full 44 x 20 feet court is required.
The net height should be 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center. The court is striped similar to a tennis court, with a non-volley zone extending 7 feet back from the net on each side. Courts can be painted on asphalt or concrete surfaces, or marked using removable court lines.
Designing Your Combination Court
When it comes to Pickleball basketball court design, think about how you want to divide up the space. Here are some options for laying out a combination court:
- Side-by-side courts – Paint pickleball court lines across the width of the basketball court and put up a movable net to divide the space. This allows quick conversion between sports.
- Half-court setup – Create a full-sized pickleball court on one half of the basketball court. Use the other half for basketball play. Install a permanent pickleball net in the center.
- Lengthwise courts – Paint pickleball lines lengthwise on the basketball court and use portable nets to divide the space. This maximizes the number of pickleball courts.
- Multipurpose design – Use tape or chalk lines to mark out pickleball courts instead of permanent paint. This creates a flexible space with adjustable court dimensions.
Building Your Combination Court
Once you’ve settled on the layout, you can start constructing your backyard pickleball and basketball courts. Here are some key steps:
- Clear and level the area – Just like a regular basketball court, the ground needs to be flat and free of obstructions. Clear away any trees/shrubs and use a grader to level the surface.
- Install drainage – Plan for proper drainage with a slight slope or drainage pipes so water doesn’t accumulate on the court after rains.
- Add base and surface – A stone base covered by an asphalt or concrete surface creates a flat, smooth playing field. Asphalt is cheaper while concrete is more durable.
- Paint court markings – For permanent pickleball courts, paint the lines with acrylic latex sports court paint. Start with basketball then add pickleball lines in a contrasting color.
- Put up fencing – Install chain link or privacy fencing around the perimeter to keep stray balls contained. Leave room for a gate to access the court.
- Add nets and equipment – Install permanent pickleball nets if needed. Have portable basketball nets at each end to practice shooting hoops.
Saving Space with a Combination Tennis and Pickleball Court
For those with even less room to spare, a combination tennis and pickleball court is another great option. Here’s how it works:
- A regulation tennis court is 60 feet wide by 120 feet long. This is enough space for two side-by-side pickleball courts.
- Paint the pickleball lines lengthwise down the middle of the tennis court. Use a temporary net to divide the space for pickleball play.
- When you want to play tennis, simply take down the pickleball net and use the full width of the court.
- The court surface and fencing only need to be built once to accommodate both sports.
- Look for tennis court builders experienced with adding combination designs.
Building a multipurpose backyard court takes more planning but allows you to enjoy both pickleball and basketball or tennis. With the right design and setup, you’ll have a dynamic recreation space the whole family can use for years to come. Get ready for hours of fun and fitness right at home.