Pickleball Australia’s first ever Facility Guidelines

The Pickleball Australia Facilities Guidelines are a user friendly guide to help shape the future of Pickleball Facilities in Australia.

The unprecedented growth of Pickleball has seen the Pickleball Australia membership skyrocket from just over 4,000 in 2023 to an impressive 17,000 members in February 2025. There is an urgent need for well-planned and strategically located Pickleball facilities across Australia.

The accessibility and inclusive nature of Pickleball have made it a favourite among Australians of all ages and abilities, with over 92,000 players nationwide in 2024 and over 100,000 in 2025. From seniors looking to stay active to young athletes aspiring to compete professionally, Pickleball has something for everyone. This diversity in our player base necessitates a thoughtful approach to facility development that caters to various skill levels and community needs.

In 2024, there were over 380 Pickleball facilities across Australia, 62% of those facilities are indoors or undercover, and 32% are outdoor. 80% of facilities have permanent line marking and 20% of facilities are played on with temporary lined courts with tape, chalk or drop downs. The most common surface is an indoor timber surface, followed closely by a hard court surface.

The guidelines will assist local governments, sporting organisations, facility operators, and community groups in planning, designing, funding, and implementing Pickleball facilities to meet their specific needs for indoor and outdoor facilities.

As Pickleball Australia look to the future, this resource will :

Guide local governments in their sports infrastructure planning, policy and strategy
Assist clubs and associations when upgrading existing facilities
Support funding applications for new Pickleball court developments
Ensure consistency and quality in Pickleball facilities nationwide

The Challenge

Pickleball is exploding in popularity across Australia, with Pickleball Australia (PA) membership skyrocketing to impressive numbers in 2025. This surge demands well-planned, strategically located, and high-quality pickleball facilities to meet the diverse needs of players of all ages and abilities.

The Solution

Urbankind partnered with the Pickleball Australia to develop comprehensive Facility Guidelines. These guidelines serve as a user-friendly resource to shape the future of Pickleball in Australia. They provide a framework for planning, designing, funding, and implementing pickleball facilities that meet international standards, promote safety, and support the increasing demand for the sport.

Key Deliverables and Scope

The Pickleball Australia Facility Development Guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to help local governments facilitate the growth and development of Pickleball facilities across Australia.

Facility Hierarchy and Structure: Provides a clear structure of facility types in Australia, ranging from social/community spaces to elite national venues.
Planning and Design Considerations: Addresses site considerations, court types (including conversions), sustainability, fencing, lighting, and more.
Technical Recommendations: Offers guidance on court dimensions, run-off areas, equipment, and amenities.
Conversion Guidance: Provides advice for efficiently converting existing facilities like tennis, netball, and basketball courts into pickleball venues.
Community Engagement: Encourages community input throughout the planning and development process.
Cost Understanding: Helps identify essential infrastructure requirements and to develop initial cost estimates for funding applications.

Outcomes and Benefits

These guidelines will:

Guide local governments in sports infrastructure planning, policy, and strategy.
Assist clubs and associations in upgrading existing facilities.
Support funding applications for new pickleball court developments.
Ensure consistency and quality in pickleball facilities nationwide.
Support recreational and competitive facilities to cater to the diverse needs of the Pickleball community.
Support local, regional, and national tournaments fostering a vibrant Pickleball culture and attract tourism.
Articulate at a high level the community and social benefits of investing in Pickleball facilities (Increased activation, usage of public spaces and revenue from tournaments), improve community health, increase social interaction, and more active lifestyle.