The Cost of Playing Pickleball
Like any other hobby, pickleball can be an investment. Especially if you’re on the more serious side of things and start to engage in tournament play or need high-end gear, the costs can start to add up. That said, you can get into the game for little to no cost. Regardless, it’s helpful to know what to expect before you get started or decide to take your commitment to the next level.
Paddles
Pickleball paddles come in a wide range of prices. The least expensive wooden paddles are as low as $15, where the more expensive, high-end graphite paddles can be upwards of $150. This is where you’ll want to decide how serious you are about playing the game--will a wooden paddle suffice, or do you need something more advanced?
Shoes
Since pickleball shoes aren’t typically marketed as such, you’ll find yourself looking for tennis or racquetball shoes. If you already have some, you’re in luck and you won’t need to spend any money here at the moment. But if your shoes are in need of a pickleball upgrade, you’ll be looking at anywhere from $50-$150 for a pair of shoes. Again, exactly how much you spend will depend on the style, brand and quality of shoe.
Clothing
Any old pair of gym clothes will get the job done, but if you really want to look the part, you might want to update your wardrobe. Each item of clothing (shirt, shorts, hat, etc.) can range from $20-$60, so the estimated cost of a full outfit would be anywhere from $60-$180.
Balls
If you’re going to be playing with other people or at an established club, you may be able to get away with sharing and might not ever need to purchase a set of balls for yourself. If you want to purchase your own, though, pickleballs are typically cheaper as you buy larger quantities. For example, a normal 12-pack of balls will be $12, or $1 per ball, but if you buy a larger quantity, the price per ball will decrease and may end up being something more like $0.50 per ball.
Court Rental
There are plenty of free, public courts around the world, but sometimes they’re too busy or not up to par for the way you’re looking to play. In that case, you might consider renting a pickleball court for a couple of hours. Rental costs are usually $10-15 per hour, so depending on how long you like to play, you’re looking at anywhere from $10-45 for 1-3 hours of game time.
Tournament Fees
The cost of entering into a tournament really depends on how large and well-established the tournament is. A brand new, small community tournament might only cost $15 to enter, but a larger tournament that’s been going on for years might have an entry fee of $50 or more.
The bottom line here is that the cost of playing pickleball heavily depends on how you intend to play the sport. Casual, weekly play with friends doesn’t have to cost you more than $30, but high-quality paddles, shoes, other gear and tournament fees can end up costing you upwards of $200. There’s no “right” way to play pickleball; just set your intentions, know your budget and get moving!
