Key Takeaways
- Pickleball participation in the U.S. reached an estimated 19.8 million players in 2024, a 311% jump over three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
- Pickleball courts were the single most popular new amenity added by recreational properties in 2024, outpacing pools, dog parks, and even Wi-Fi upgrades.
- Major hotel and resort brands, from Sandals and Margaritaville to boutique city properties, have already added courts or are actively building out programs.
- A well-run pickleball program doesn't require a massive footprint. Portable net systems can convert existing hard surfaces in under 10 minutes.
- Selecting the right wholesale equipment supplier matters for durability, guest safety, and consistent replenishment across multiple properties.
The hospitality industry is always chasing the next amenity that makes guests choose one property over another. For a while, it was the spa. Then the rooftop bar. Then the fitness center with Pelotons. Right now, for a growing number of hotels and resorts, it's pickleball.
That's not a guess. There were an estimated 19.8 million pickleball players in the U.S. in 2024, an increase of 45.8% from the previous year and a staggering 311% jump over the past three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. When a sport grows that fast across nearly every age group, hospitality operators take notice. And they should.
So what's actually driving this shift, what do strong hotel pickleball programs look like in practice, and how do properties make sure the equipment holds up? Let's get into it.
Why Hotels Are Paying Attention to Pickleball Right Now
Amenities come and go, but this one has data behind it. According to The Dyrt's 2025 Camping Report, 17% of private campgrounds and recreational properties that added amenities in 2024 chose to install pickleball courts, nearly doubling the second-most-added amenity, Wi-Fi, at 9.8%. Properties were 29% more likely to add pickleball courts than any other amenity, including swimming pools, hot tubs, and dog parks.
That's a signal the broader hospitality sector is already acting on.
Part of the appeal is demographic. The SFIA report broke down participation into core players who play eight or more times per year, totaling 6.2 million, and casual players at 13.6 million, a 56% increase from the year before. These aren't niche numbers. Guests arriving at a resort for a long weekend are genuinely looking for things to do, and a sport that's approachable for beginners but genuinely fun for experienced players checks a lot of boxes.
There's also a social dimension that hotels are starting to recognize. Pickleball courts create natural gathering spots. Games are short, people rotate in, conversations start. That's the kind of organic energy that keeps guests on property longer and leads to stronger reviews.
What a Hotel Pickleball Setup Actually Looks Like
Here's where a lot of properties get it wrong: they assume they need to build dedicated permanent courts before they can launch a program. That's not the case for most hotels.
Portable Nets vs. Permanent Courts
A portable net system on an existing tennis court, pool deck, or hard-surface area works well for most hotel programs, especially at the start. Among space-constrained city hotels, creative solutions have proven viable. Kimpton La Peer Hotel, for example, converted a former rooftop event space into a pickleball court, which has become a popular guest amenity. Many institutions are converting tennis courts or creating flexible multi-use surfaces with temporary lines.
The advantage of portable equipment is flexibility. Courts can go up for a weekend tournament and come down for a private event. That adaptability is especially valuable for smaller properties or those in urban settings.
Permanent courts make more sense for large resorts with the space and the guest volume to justify the construction. Some luxury resort operators have moved toward purpose-built pickleball facilities with professional-grade surfaces and tournament-quality amenities, replacing converted tennis courts entirely. But most hotel programs don't need that level of infrastructure to deliver a genuinely enjoyable guest experience.
Equipment for Guest Programs
What guests actually interact with matters: the net, the paddles, and the balls. Beat-up equipment reflects poorly on the property. Paddles that feel cheap or unbalanced frustrate new players before they've even had a chance to enjoy the game.
For hospitality programs, durability is the main filter. Equipment gets used by dozens of different people each week, often by players who don't know exactly how to handle or store it. The nets need to withstand repeated assembly and breakdown. The paddles need to stay playable without warping or delaminating after a few months of guest use.
That's a different set of requirements than what individual players are shopping for, which is exactly why many properties turn to a dedicated pickleball wholesale supplier rather than buying retail.
The Business Case for Adding Pickleball
Is it worth the investment? For most properties, yes, and the return shows up in more ways than just guest satisfaction scores.
First, there's the marketing angle. A resort with pickleball courts can target a rapidly growing segment of travelers who now actively search for properties with courts when planning trips. Sandals Resorts became the first official all-inclusive partner of USA Pickleball in 2024, offering exclusive programming and concierge services. That's a brand alignment decision, not just an amenity decision, and it signals to a specific audience that pickleball is taken seriously at the property.
Second, pickleball extends guest dwell time. When guests have an engaging, low-barrier activity available, they stay on property instead of heading out. That benefits food and beverage, retail, and overall spend per guest.
Third, it builds repeat business. Margaritaville Hotels and Resorts has been adding pickleball courts across multiple locations to provide entertainment, competition, and social opportunities for their guests. When a guest has a great time on the court and knows the same setup is available at other properties in the same brand family, that's a reason to rebook.
And the cost of entry is relatively low. A portable net system, a set of paddles, and some balls represent a modest line item compared to, say, renovating a fitness center or adding a spa treatment room.
Real Examples From the Hospitality Industry
The list of properties adding pickleball keeps growing. Among U.S. hotel brands that have added courts, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, Solage Auberge Resorts Collection in Napa Valley, La Quinta Resort and Club in Greater Palm Springs, and the Ojai Valley Inn now offer guests pickleball in upscale settings.
It's not just luxury resorts, either. All-inclusive properties in the Caribbean have added dedicated courts, and RV resorts across the country have followed the same path. The common thread is that the sport works for a wide range of travelers, ages 25 to 65, families, couples, and solo guests looking for something social to do.
The Majestic Resorts complex in Punta Cana updated all four of its shared pickleball courts in 2024 with new surfacing and fencing, making equipment and play fully included for guests across all three of their properties. That kind of investment signals a long-term commitment to the amenity, not just a test run.
What to Look for in a Wholesale Equipment Partner
Not all pickleball equipment is built the same, and that gap becomes obvious in high-traffic hospitality settings. Cheap nets sag. Paddles with weak edge guards crack. Balls that aren't designed for outdoor use wear quickly.
When sourcing equipment for a hotel or resort program, a few things matter most:
- Durability for frequent use. Commercial settings mean different stress than personal use. Nets and paddles need to be rated for it.
- Consistent availability for reorders. Running out of equipment mid-season isn't an option. A supplier with reliable inventory and fast replenishment makes that easier to manage.
- Safety certifications for youth equipment. If the property runs kids' programming or a family-oriented facility, the gear for younger guests needs to meet appropriate safety standards.
- Support that actually responds. Property managers don't have time to chase down equipment issues. A supplier with clear warranty terms and responsive support is worth paying attention to.
How PicklePro Shop Supports Hotels and Resorts
We launched our pickleball wholesale program for hotels and resorts specifically to address the needs of commercial properties, not individual players. That means regulation-size portable net systems, USAP-approved paddles for all skill levels, balls for both indoor and outdoor use, court markers for flexible setups, and junior equipment for family and youth programs.
Everything we supply is designed, tested, and quality-controlled out of South Florida. We're pickleball people, based in Fort Lauderdale, and we built our wholesale operation to support facilities across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America. We ship from Florida, which means fast turnaround for domestic orders and straightforward logistics for resort markets in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the broader Caribbean.
Our pickleball net systems are built for commercial use, with stable frames and easy assembly. Every paddle we sell comes with a fitted protective cover included. And our gear and accessories line covers everything a property needs to stock a full program, from balls and bags to court markers.
For properties that run kids' clubs or family programs, our junior equipment is lab tested and certified for safety, including flammability and heavy metals standards. That's a detail that matters when gear goes into the hands of children whose parents are trusting your property to look after them.
We also offer custom branding options for select equipment, so hotels can create a more cohesive guest experience with their logo on gear and bags.
Wondering what a setup looks like for your specific property? We work with hotels, resorts, HOAs, recreation centers, and vacation rental groups. Whether you're equipping one court or a multi-property portfolio, we can put together a package that fits. Reach out to us here and we'll get back to you within two business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes pickleball a good amenity for hotels and resorts? Pickleball is easy for beginners to pick up in minutes, which makes it accessible to guests of all skill levels. It's also social by nature, keeps guests on property longer, and appeals to a broad demographic from young adults to active seniors. With nearly 20 million players in the U.S. alone, demand for the sport among travelers is growing quickly.
Do hotels need permanent courts to offer pickleball? No. Many properties start with portable net systems that can be set up on existing hard surfaces like tennis courts, pool decks, or open patios. Portable systems are cost-effective, flexible, and don't require construction. Permanent courts make sense as a program scales, but they're not required to launch.
What type of pickleball equipment holds up best in hotel settings? Look for regulation portable nets with stable frames and easy breakdown mechanisms, paddles with durable edge protection and comfortable grips, and USAP-approved balls built for the playing surface, outdoor or indoor. Equipment designed for commercial or high-traffic use tends to last significantly longer than consumer-grade gear.
How many paddles and balls does a hotel typically need? That depends on court count and expected guest volume. A general starting point is four to eight paddles per court and at least two to three dozen balls to account for wear and the occasional loss. Having extra inventory on hand avoids disrupting play when items need to be replaced.
Can PicklePro Shop supply equipment to resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America? Yes. We support wholesale customers in the U.S., the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and other Caribbean resort markets. Our most common approach for international orders is shipping to a Florida-based freight forwarder, which then handles customs and local delivery. If you already have a freight partner, we can coordinate directly with them.
Is it worth offering equipment to guests at no charge? In most cases, yes. Properties that include paddle and ball rentals as part of the court experience tend to get better participation, which leads to stronger guest satisfaction and more review mentions. Some resorts offset the cost by offering paid clinics or lessons alongside the free court access.
What's the difference between pickleball wholesale suppliers and buying retail? Retail options are designed for individual buyers. Wholesale suppliers like PicklePro Shop offer tiered pricing based on volume, commercial-grade equipment built for frequent use, consistent reorder programs, and account support for multi-property operators. For a hotel or resort running an active guest program, the wholesale route generally makes more sense on cost, durability, and logistics.