Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular in Charlotte, NC! If you’re in search of the perfect place to play, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Check out the comprehensive list on Pickleheads, a pickleball court data provider, for the best places to play pickleball in Charlotte.
Pickleball, which incorporates elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is played on a court similar to a tennis court and can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels and ages.
Read on for a list of places to play pickleball in Charlotte, pickleball classes and clinics, and some recommendations for pickleball equipment.
You might also be interested in this guide to getting started with disc golf in Charlotte!
The sport is rapidly gaining popularity, according to the latest APP Pickleball Participation report, which found that 14% of Americans played pickleball at least once in 2022. Pickleheads reports that there are currently as many as 10,320 venues across the country offering indoor and outdoor play.
Residents here are hailing pickleball as a fun and low-impact way to stay fit and socialize. The sport’s popularity is bringing many benefits to the community, especially for seniors, as the movements are less strenuous than other racket sports like tennis and squash. Pickleball is a great way to connect with friends and family, and can be played by 2-4 players.
Moreover, it’s a cost-effective and readily available activity that can be played indoors and outdoors throughout the year. Many community centers offer free introductory classes, making it simple for everyone to join in.
New Pickleball League
Play the Ladders is a new Pickleball league, starting its inaugural season March 20th, 2023.
The league will be year-round, with each season lasting 8-11 weeks, with two weeks of playoffs following.
Competition is open to men and woman age 18+ of all skill levels. It includes Doubles and Mixed Doubles. The matches are at your convenience — you choose the date, time and location.
There will be a yearly tournament, allowing the finalists of each season to compete for cash prizes. After the year-end tournament there will be a social.
It’s just $25 per season to play.
How To Play Pickleball
Pickleball is a racquet sport played on a court with a small, perforated ball. Points are scored by the serving team when the opposing team is unable to return the ball.
Pickleball can be played with two or four players, with each player using a paddle to hit the ball back and forth over the net. The game is played to 11 points, with a two-point lead required to win. The ball must land within the boundaries of the court, and players cannot step on the non-volley zone near the net.
Where To Play Pickleball in Charlotte
The number of pickleball players in Charlotte is on the rise. The following courts are among the most sought-after.
Public Pickleball Courts in Charlotte
Address: 1200 Baxter St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Courts: 2 outdoor courts
Membership: Not required
Cost: free to play
Reservation: Reservations are available but not required. Reserve courts online.
Pearl Street Park in Charlotte, NC offers two well-maintained public courts, as well as a variety of amenities including two pickleball courts, a basketball court, soccer/football field, and a historical area, highlighting its status as Mecklenburg County’s first African-American park.
Address: 2600 Ravencroft Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Courts: 6 outdoor courts
Membership: Not required
Cost: free to play
Reservation: Reservations are available but not required. Reserve courts via an online at
Martin Luther King Jr Park offers six free outdoor pickleball courts that do not require a membership or fee to use, as well as two picnic shelters, a basketball court, two tennis courts, multi-purpose fields, and a playground.
Address: 5435 Hucks Rd, Charlotte NC 28269
Courts: 8 outdoor courts
Membership: Not required
Cost: free to play
Reservation: Reservations are available but not required. Reserve courts online.
Clarks Creek Community Park is a stunning 31 acre space with a range of free-to-use outdoor features including eight pickleball courts, a playground, full size basketball court, sprayground, picnic shelter, fenced dog park and restroom amenities, with convenient parking and optional online reservations.
Private Pickleball Courts in Charlotte
Cornwell Center
Address: 2001 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28207
Courts: 2 indoor courts
Membership: Not required but available
Cost: free to play for Cornwell Members, $7/day for non-members
Reservation: Reservations are required for Open Play. Make reservation online.
The Cornwell Center, a fitness, wellness and community center that’s part of Myers Park Baptist Church, is open to all. It includes a private pickleball venue with two indoor courts. Open play is free for Cornwell Center members, and $7 for non-members. The center also offers a variety of activities such as dance classes, spinning, and yoga.
Pickleball Charlotte
Address: 10930 Granite Street, Charlotte, NC 28277 (Sports Connection)
Address: 8626 Hankins Road, Charlotte, NC 28269 (Sports Connection)
Address: 11611 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 (Sports Connection)
Between the three locations, there are a total of 25 indoor courts and 4 outdoor courts.
Membership: Not required but available
Cost: Varies
Reservation: Reservations are required. Reserve courts online.
Pickleball Charlotte provides a comprehensive range of pickleball activities, court rentals, and membership plans to suit all needs and budgets.
Carolina Courts
Address: 240 Chestnut Parkway, Indian Trail, NC
Address: 24 Spring Street SW, Concord, NC
Membership: Not required, but you’ll need to make a Carolina Courts account.
Cost: $5/day
Reservations: Reserve a spot for Open Play Hours ($5) or rent a court ($35/net for 2.5 hours.)
Rally (Coming soon!)
Corner of Old Pineville Road and Southside Drive, Charlotte
Rally, a premium pickleball experience set to open in Spring 2023, promises an exciting new development for Charlotte’s South End. Offering both indoor and outdoor courts, multiple bars, seasonal menus, great music, and plenty of seating, Rally is bringing an unparalleled pickleball experience to the area.
Pickleball Clinics in Charlotte
For those in Charlotte looking to improve their pickleball skills, there are plenty of clinics to choose from. These facilities offer specialized training, development courses, and expertise in the game, providing the perfect opportunity to get better at pickleball. Here are some of the places you can go to take advantage of this:
LifeTime Charlotte encourages all beginner members to start their pickleball journey with an Intro to Pickleball class. This class is designed to be a fun, low-pressure environment, to help members learn the rules of the game, basic skills and strategies, and get comfortable on the court. After the class, the instructor will provide advice on other pickleball programs to try and ways to stay involved.
The class is complimentary with a LifeTime membership, but registration is required. Paddles and balls will be provided.
Pickleball Charlotte is a great place to learn, perfect and play pickleball. They offer a wide range of classes with professional instructors to help all levels of players improve their game and have more fun.
Pre-registration and pre-payment is required for all clinics and lessons. The clinics and lessons are held at all three of the locations (see above.)
Carolina Courts offers beginner and intermediate clinics for $20. See above for information on Carolina Courts.
Pickleball Equipment
The beauty of pickleball is in its simplicity; all you really need to get started is a paddle, ball and bag to keep everything together.
When buying pickleball equipment, always make sure to look for items that are made from quality materials and are well-constructed.
Pickleball paddles are typically made out of wood, graphite, or composite materials. They come in various shapes and sizes, and are designed to help players hit the ball with more accuracy and power. The paddles should be light and balanced.
Picklehead’s recommendation for pickleball paddles is the niupipo Pickleball Paddle Set.
- USAPA Approve for Victory; niupipo pickleball rackets has passed USAPA testing and is approved for sanctioned tournament play; Widebody pickleball…
- More Power and Less Noise; The pickleball rackets is made of fiberglass face and Polypropylene-honeycomb composition for an ideal level of strength…
- Less Stress On Elbow and Shoulder; The pickleball rackets is noticeably lighter than most paddles, which allows for a longtime play without fatigue;…
Pickleball balls are usually made of plastic and are typically a little larger than a tennis ball. They come in various colors and weights, and their bounce and flight path depend on the type of ball that is used. Pickleball balls should be made from quality materials and have a consistent bounce.
Onix pickleball balls are recommended for their light weight and great durability.
- LEADING PICKLEBALL MANUFACTURER – ONIX is the lead manufacturer of performance pickleball paddles, pickleball balls, and accessories that enable…
- EXCEPTIONAL DURABILITY – The exceptional seam welding of the ONIX Pure 2 pickleball offers fantastic durability for long-lasting use and resistant…
- MOST CONSISTENT FLIGHT AVAILABLE – Pure 2 balls from ONIX Pickleball are specifically designed and optimized for pickleball, providing the most…
Pickleball bags are designed to carry pickleball paddles, balls, and other gear. They usually have compartments for each item, making it easy to store and transport your equipment. A good bag should be sturdy and provide adequate space for the items inside.
A recommendation is the striking New Atletico bag.
- REVERSIBLE SHOULDER STRAPS – Comfortable, padded shoulder strap easily flips between the LEFT and RIGHT sides. No matter which side you prefer to wear…
- TONS OF POCKETS TO FIT EVERYTHING – Our sling bags feature 5 pockets and external water bottle holder. Main compartment can hold up to 6 pickleball…
- HIDDEN ANTI-THEFT POCKET & EXTERNAL WATER BOTTLE HOLDER – The hidden pocket on the back keeps the contents against your back when carried as a…
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to stay active, pickleball is an excellent choice. With its straightforward rules, pickleball is a great way to have a good time and make new connections. So head out to one of Charlotte’s many pickleball courts today!
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