Pickleball popularity is growing in Charlotte. Here’s where and how to play

Evan Moore
Updated ·4 min read

Pickleball is gaining steam around the country, and Charlotte is no exception.

More than 36.5 million people in the U.S. played pickleball, a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, from August 2021 to August 2022, CNBC reported. That’s a 630% increase during that period.

A year-round pickleball league, Play the Ladders, was recently created in Charlotte to allow players to get active and meet new people, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Charlotte is also home to Rally, a massive pickleball and entertainment complex that is expected to open in June, the Observer reported. The 27,000-square-foot facility will include eight pickleball courts, a full-service restaurant, two signature cocktail bars, event spaces, and plenty of lounge and spectator seating areas.

If you want to get involved in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, here are the basics of the game and what equipment is needed to play.

How to play pickleball

According to the USA Pickleball Association, games with two players per team are the most common, and the exact size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles. Here are the basics, according to USAPA:

  • To start the game, the player standing behind the right square has to deliver an underhand serve to the player in the diagonal court.

  • The first serve and the return must bounce. From there, players can volley the ball.

  • Players should be aware of the non-volley zone or the rectangular area in front of the net. Hitting the ball while standing in this area is not allowed.

  • Points are won if the opposing team hits the ball out of bounds, into the net, or fails to return a live ball.

  • Points can only be earned by the team that is serving.

  • The first team to reach 11 points with at least a two-point advantage wins.

The official pickleball rulebook can be found at usapickleball.org.

RELATED: A massive pickleball entertainment complex with restaurant, 2 bars will open in LoSo

What do you need to play pickleball?

When playing pickleball, each player needs a paddle, USAPA says. The paddles are smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a ping-pong paddle and can be purchased at many sporting goods stores.

A pickleball, a ball with holes through it that comes in several colors, is also needed to play.

When you have these pieces of equipment, you only need to find a court to play on.

Where to play pickleball in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE SQUASH CLUB

Location: Russell Tennis Center, 1024 Sardis Ln, Charlotte, NC 28270

Details: Charlotte Squash Club’s pickleball membership is $50/month. Nonmembers are $7/person for two hours. Beginner and pro clinics are offered for an additional fee.

LEVINE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

Location: 5007 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226

Details: For adults 50+, pickleball is available at the Howard R. Levine gym. Spring pickleball hours are Monday-Friday, 9-11:30 a.m., and Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

LIFETIME FITNESS

Location: 11220 Golf Links Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277

Details: Lifetime’s Charlotte location includes pickleball lessons, clinics, and open play.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION

Location: Multiple

Details: Public pickleball courts in the Charlotte area from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation:

  • Clarks Creek Community Park, 5435 Hucks Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269

  • Tuckaseegee Park, 4820 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte, NC 28208

  • Colonel Francis Beatty Park, 4330 Weddington Rd., Matthews, NC 28105

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2600 Ravencroft Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208

  • Pearl Street Park, 1200 Baxter Dr., Charlotte, NC 28202

  • Freedom Park, 1900 E. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

PROSPERITY ATHLETIC CLUB

Location: 9300 Browne Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

Details: Prosperity Athletic Club has four permanent pickleball courts and two courts that can be used for pickleball or tennis. Open play is free for members and $3 for nonmembers. You can also reserve a court for free if you’re a member and for $10/hour if you’re not.

SPORTS CONNECTION

Location: 10930 Granite St., Charlotte, NC 28273; 8626 Hankins Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

Details: Sports Connection’s South Charlotte location on Granite Street has 14 indoor pickleball courts and four outdoor courts. The Northlake location on Hankins Road has four indoor courts. Pickleball memberships begin at $50/year.

YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE

Locations: Multiple Details: Log into your YMCA account to reserve pickleball courts at available branches.

RELATED: Where can I find pickleball courts in Charlotte? Here are 10 places to play or take lessons