How to Start Your Pickleball Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. As more people get hooked on the game, the demand for equipment, training, and organized events continues to rise. This growing popularity makes pickleball an exciting business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to tap into a booming market.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of starting a profitable pickleball business, from market research to launching and growing your brand. Right now, let’s dive in! 

Why An Online Pickleball Business Can Be Profitable in 2025?

Is starting an online pickleball business really profitable, or is the market already too competitive?

This is a question many entrepreneurs ask before diving into any industry. The best way to answer it? Let’s look at the numbers.

Pickleball has been growing unprecedentedlyat an unprecedented rate, with over 36.5 million players in the U.S. as of 2023. The industry is projected to grow at a 10.5% annual rate, and the global pickleball equipment market alone is expected to reach $2.34 billion by 2028. With major brands like Nike, Adidas, and Franklin Sports expanding into pickleball, the sport is no longer a niche, it’s a booming market with significant revenue potential.

According to the 2023 APP Tour’s Pickleball Participation Report, there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States.

For an industry that continues to surge, eCommerce is also thriving, with online sales of pickleball paddles, apparel, and accessories seeing double-digit growth. Whether you’re launching a standalone online business or looking to expand an existing sports retail brand, pickleball presents a goldmine of opportunities. 

While you may not be the first to sell pickleball products or services, success lies in offering high-quality products, exceptional customer experiences, and smart marketing strategies. Your online pickleball business can thrive in 2025 and beyond with the right approachWith the right approach, your online pickleball business can thrive in 2025 and beyond.

 

How to make money with pickleball? Some Pickleball Business Models

Pickleball is a great way to make money! 

Whether you’re a coach, a business owner, or just a pickleball enthusiast, there are several ways to turn your passion into profit. Here are some of the best business models you can explore:

Coaching

With more people getting into pickleball, many players are looking for lessons to improve their skills. If you’re good at the game, you can offer private lessons, group training, or even online coaching. While certification isn’t required, it can boost credibility and attract more students. Programs like the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) and Pickleball Coaching International (PCI) offer training and certification for coaches.

Once certified, the next step is to establish your coaching services. You can create a simple website or social media presence to showcase your expertise, services, and pricing. To turn coaching into a profitable business, consider offering:

• Offering one-on-one coaching sessions in person or online.

• Creating and selling video tutorials or training courses for players who want to learn at home.

• Running pickleball camps for kids, seniors, or corporate teams.

Merchandising

 There are many types of merchandise, including a racket, ball, apparel, water bottle, court layout, shoes,...

Pickleball players love to show off their passion, making merchandise a great way to build a business. From stylish apparel to customized accessories, selling pickleball-themed products can be a profitable and scalable online business.

Learn more: The Pickleball Business Playbook: Best Shopify Themes for 2025

One of the biggest advantages? You don’t need a physical store or inventory.  A platform like Shopify makes it easy to set up an online store, while print-on-demand services allow you to sell products without handling stock. When a customer places an order, the product is printed and shipped directly to them, eliminating upfront costs and storage concerns.

You can explore some popular pickleball merchandise ideas including:

• T-shirts, hoodies, and hats with fun pickleball quotes or designs.

• Custom pickleball paddles featuring unique artwork or personal branding.

• Accessories like grip tape, paddle covers, water bottles, and tote bags.

Learn more: 26 Best Selling Print-on-Demand Products in 2025

Tournament and league hosting

Running pickleball tournaments and leagues is a great way to engage the community while generating consistent revenue. To effectively manage tournaments and leagues, a robust online presence is essential. A website capable of supporting account logins, newsletter signups, and secure payment processing is crucial. 

A basic Shopify merchant account can fulfill these needs, and the Shopify App Store provides a wide array of plugins for customizing your online community and enhancing user experience.

Gear sales or rentals

As the sport grows, more players need quality equipment. Therefore, selling pickleball gear online lets you join this fast-growing market without a physical store. For example, instead of managing your inventory, you can dropship pickleball paddles, balls, nets, and accessories. This means your supplier stores and ships everything, so you don't need to pay for a lot of stock upfront. Alternatively, you could launch a pickleball subscription box. 

For instance, players could receive curated gear every few months, like new grip tapes, pickleball balls, training aids, and exclusive discounts on premium equipment. Consequently, with the right strategy, an online gear store can become a steady income source, especially if you build a loyal customer base through email and social media.

Court rentals

One of the biggest challenges for pickleball players is finding available courts. Instead of building or renting a facility, you can create a court booking website or app that connects players with available courts in their area.

Pickleball Booker is an example of a court booking website. Source: https://pickleballbooker.com/

pickleball-court-booking-website

How it works:

• Partner with existing pickleball courts, gyms, and community centers.

• List their availability on your platform.

• Allow players to book courts online for a small service fee.

You can also offer monthly memberships where players pay a fee for exclusive access to private courts. This is a high-demand business, as more players look for convenient ways to play without long wait times.

How To Start A Pickleball Business With 4 Steps 

Step 1 - Conduct marketing analysis

Before starting your pickleball business, you need to understand who your customers are, what they want, and how you can stand out from competitors. This step helps you make smart decisions so that your business has a higher chance of success.

Identify your target customers.

Pickleball is growing fast, and people from all ages and backgrounds are playing. But not every player is looking for the same thing. To make sure your business serves the right audience, think about who your ideal customers are:

• Casual players – People who play for fun and socializing. They might look for affordable gear, beginner-friendly coaching, or local tournaments.

• Competitive players – Those who take pickleball seriously and want high-quality paddles, professional coaching, and competitive leagues.

• Seniors – A large and fast-growing group that values lightweight paddles, comfortable gear, and injury-prevention accessories.

• Young professionals and fitness enthusiasts – People who see pickleball as a way to stay active. They might be interested in trendy apparel, social leagues, or training programs.

Knowing your target customers will help you decide what products or services to offer and how to market them effectively.

Understand the market trends.

Global Pickleball Market by product type from 2023 to 2033. Source: Market.us

global-pickleball-market

The demand for pickleball gear, coaching, and tournaments is increasing, making it a great time to start a business.

To stay ahead, keep an eye on:

• New trends – Are people interested in smart paddles, virtual coaching, or community leagues?

• Growth areas – Some cities have plenty of pickleball players but not enough courts or events. That could be a great opportunity!

• Customer behavior – Are players more likely to buy gear online or in stores? Do they prefer group training or one-on-one coaching?

You can try some tools like Google Trends, social media, and online pickleball communities that can help you understand what people are looking for.

Research your competitors

The pickleball market is growing, and many businesses are already selling equipment, offering training, or hosting tournaments. Studying your competitors helps you learn what works and what gaps you can fill.

Please look at some questions:

• Popular pickleball brands – What products do they sell? What makes them successful?

• Coaching and leagues – How do they attract customers? What prices do they charge?

• Customer reviews – What do people like or dislike about existing businesses?

If you analyze your competitors right, you can find ways to make your business unique and better serve your customers.

Step 2: Build a detailed business plan 

Every successful business starts with a plan - a roadmap that guides you from launch to long-term growth. 

A well-structured business plan will keep you focused, ensure that you understand your financial needs, and make it easier to attract investors or lenders if needed. 

With a clear vision and actionable steps, you’ll be better prepared to turn your pickleball business into a thriving success.

Define Your Goals

Your goals shape your business direction. Take a moment to ask yourself:

• Why do you want to start a pickleball business?

• What impact do you want to make in the pickleball community?

• What challenges, including financial ones, are you prepared to face?

By answering these questions, you’ll uncover the deeper motivation behind your business and set clear, achievable goals. Some examples might be:

• Attract 500 members within the first year.

• Host monthly online tournaments with at least 100 participants.

• Reach $50,000 in revenue within 12 months.

The clearer and more specific your objectives are, the easier it becomes to stay motivated, measure your progress, and make informed adjustments along the way.

Establish A Financial Plan 

Now comes the part that every entrepreneur must face: the numbers. Your financial plan will determine whether your pickleball business is sustainable.

Your plan should cover:

• Startup Costs – This includes expenses like website creation, branding, product sourcing (if you’re selling gear), and initial marketing efforts.

• Operating Costs – Monthly costs such as software subscriptions, advertising, payment processing fees, and any partnerships.

• Revenue Projections – Estimate your expected income based on market research, pricing strategies, and customer demand.

While no financial plan can predict everything with 100% accuracy, being as detailed as possible prepares you for unexpected expenses and helps you maintain a healthy cash flow. If you’re seeking investment, a well-prepared financial plan will increase your credibility with investors or lenders.

Pro tip: Starting with limited resources? Check out this blog post from GemPages to find your footing more easily:

Start an eCommerce Business with No Money: The 2025 Complete Guide (+ Exclusive Promotion)

Choose a Name for Your Shop

Your business name is your brand identity, and it should be memorable, relevant, and easy to find online. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Pickleball Pro Hub – Great for a coaching or training business.

• Paddle & Play – A fun, casual brand for pickleball enthusiasts.

• The Pickleball Clubhouse – Perfect for an online community or league hosting service.

The key is to choose a name that resonates with your target audience and gives them a hint of what makes your business special.

Learn more: 150+ Cool Store Names for Your Shopify Business

Outline Your Business Plan

Once you’ve defined your goals, finances, and brand identity, it’s time to structure your plan into a professional document. Here’s what to include:

• Executive Summary – A quick overview of your business, its mission, and key objectives.

• Company Description – Explain your brand, what services/products you offer, and who your target customers are.

• Marketing & Sales Strategy – Detail how you plan to attract and retain customers (social media, influencer marketing, email campaigns, etc.).

• Operations Plan – Outline how your business will function daily, including logistics and management.

• Financial Projections – A breakdown of your expected income and expenses.

A solid business plan doesn’t just help you stay on track, it sets you up for success by providing a structured way to grow and scale.

Step 3: Set up your site storefront 

Your website is the digital storefront of your pickleball business. It’s where potential customers learn about your brand, browse your products or services, and ultimately make a purchase. A well-designed site builds credibility, attracts visitors, and turns them into loyal customers.

Here’s how to create a site that not only looks great but also drives sales.

Choose the Right Platform

 Shopify is an outstanding platform to start your pickleball business.

Your website is the heart of your pickleball business, so choosing the right platform is essential. You need to consider Shopify - it’s the ultimate toolkit for building and growing your online pickleball business. Here’s how Shopify can help:

• User-friendly dashboard: Shopify’s intuitive dashboard makes managing your store effortless, from adding new products to tracking sales performance. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, its clean interface ensures you can easily navigate everything and focus on growing your business.

• Secure payment processing: Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and credit cards, ensuring a smooth checkout experience. Plus, its built-in security features help protect customer transactions, building trust and boosting sales.

• Smart inventory management: With Shopify’s inventory management tools, you can monitor stock levels, receive low-stock alerts, and sync with suppliers to prevent overselling. Its analytics provide insights into customer buying behavior, helping you make data-driven decisions.

• Seamless POD & dropshipping integration: If you want to sell custom pickleball gear without managing inventory, Shopify integrates with top print-on-demand (POD) services like Printful and Printify. This lets you focus on design and marketing while your POD partners handle production and shipping.

Add Essential Pages

Your website should not only look great but also be easy to navigate and optimized for conversions. A well-structured site helps visitors find what they need quickly and take action, whether that’s booking a coaching session, signing up for a tournament, or purchasing pickleball gear.

Here are the key pages to include on your pickleball website:

• A homepage that captivates visitors with high-quality images of pickleball gear, players in action, and a clear call to action. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Join a Tournament,” or “Book a Coaching Session,” make it easy for customers to take the next step.

• A services or shop page that clearly showcases what you offer. If you provide coaching, list different packages with pricing and details. If you’re selling gear, organize products by categories like paddles, apparel, and accessories—each with a compelling description and professional images.

• A product description section that sells— makes customers want to buy! For example: "Our lightweight graphite pickleball paddle is designed for maximum control and power, helping you dominate every match."

• A simple, user-friendly checkout process with secure payment options to make purchases hassle-free.

• A mobile-responsive design to ensure a smooth shopping or booking experience from any device.

• A blog section featuring pickleball tips, training guides, and industry news to engage visitors and boost SEO.

• An ‘About Us’ page that tells your brand story—why you started this business, your passion for pickleball, and what sets you apart.

For better navigation, add on:

• Categories: Group products or services under sections like “Gear,” “Coaching,” or “Tournaments.”

• Search bar: Help customers find exactly what they need within seconds.
  Filters: Allow users to sort products by price, popularity, or features like “Best for Beginners.”

GemPages helps sellers easily build good-looking, high-converting Shopify stores with ready-made templates.

What should you do to reach an eye-catching and high-converting Shopify store? 

It’s time to take everything to the next level with landing page builders like GemPages. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, 200+ CRO templates, and various sales boosters to create stunning, high-converting pages without any coding. 

Step 4: Run a Promotion for  Your Pickleball Business

Now that your pickleball business is set up, it’s time to get people excited and drive traffic to your store. 

A strong promotion strategy helps attract customers, increase engagement, and boost sales. Below are five marketing strategies that can make all the difference!   

1. Social Media Marketing: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are the best platforms to showcase your pickleball products, training services, or tournaments. Post engaging content like match highlights, coaching tips, or customer testimonials to build excitement. Don’t forget to use hashtags like #PickleballLife, #PickleballGear, and #PickleballCoach to reach more players.

2 - Influencer Marketing: Partnering with pickleball influencers or coaches can boost credibility and expand your reach. Offer them free gear, affiliate commissions, or exclusive discount codes in exchange for reviews, social media posts, or YouTube features. Their recommendations can drive targeted traffic to your store.

3 - Email Marketing: Build an email list by offering a discount for first-time sign-ups. Send regular emails featuring exclusive offers, new product launches, and tournament updates. Personalized campaigns—like cart abandonment reminders and birthday discounts—can keep customers engaged and increase conversions.

4 - Content Marketing: Create blog posts and guides about pickleball strategies, product reviews, and training tips to position yourself as an authority. Use video tutorials, infographics, and player interviews to boost SEO and bring organic traffic to your site.

5 - Paid Advertising: Use Facebook Ads, Google Ads, or Instagram promotions to target pickleball enthusiasts directly. Test different ad formats like carousel ads for gear, video ads for coaching, or retargeting ads for abandoned carts to maximize conversions.

Conclusion

With pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity, you might be wondering, “Is now the right time to start a pickleball business?” The answer depends on your niche, target audience, and business model. Whether you're selling gear, offering coaching, or organizing tournaments, the key to success lies in understanding market demand and creating value for your customers.

While every business has its challenges, the pickleball industry is booming, and opportunities are everywhere. So, are you ready to take the leap and build your pickleball business? The court is open, and it’s your turn to play!