Have y’all heard about pickleball? If you haven’t, it’s kind of a big dill. Pickleball shares similarities with tennis, table tennis + badminton (as well as other paddle ball sports).
It has official rules, regulations, and even its own organization — the USA Pickleball Association. Here’s the lowdown on the game so you don’t find yourself in a pickle:
- It can be played indoors or outdoors.
- The court is 20 ft wide by 44 ft long with a modified tennis net.
- The pickleball itself is made of plastic and has holes, like a wiffleball. The paddle is a little smaller than a tennis racquet.
- It can be played as doubles or singles — read: two to four people, for those of us who are racquet sports-challenged.
Where can you play in Raleigh?
- Raleigh Parks has six permanent outdoor pickleball courts located at Method Community Park and six permanent outdoor courts at North Hills Park — both are open from dusk to 10 p.m.
- Raleigh Parks also has 11 indoor locations — a four-month pass can be purchased for $10 and a single session pass costs $2. Players must also complete a registration form.
- Find a list of upcoming pickleball programs and clinics by Tennisbloc that are geared toward adults and juniors from levels beginner through intermediate.
- If you’re interested in joining a pickleball league, this site has several listed in the area.
- Swing Racquet + Paddle, Raleigh’s $70 million tennis and paddle facility, broke ground in August 2024 and is anticipated to open in 2026.
And of course, there are Facebook groups you can join to meet other pickeballers like Pickleball Carolina and Raleigh Pickleball Club.
