World's largest indoor pickleball facility coming to Scottsdale
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A rendering of PURE Pickleball & Padel. Photo: Courtesy of DAVIS
Start warming up your backhand — the world's largest pickleball facility plans to open in Scottsdale in 2026.
Why it matters: As pickleball popularity continues to surge, PURE Pickleball & Padel co-founders Brett Warner and Kevin Berk tell Axios they believe their Scottsdale facility will become the pickleball capital of the U.S.
The big picture: "This is basically a pickleball country club," said Berk, who previously founded AZ on the Rocks, a Scottsdale rock climbing gym.
- In addition to 50 courts, the facility will have VIP rooms, a pro shop, youth areas, exercise and recovery equipment, a full restaurant, rooftop bar and a 1,200-seat championship court with broadcast booths for professional matches.
State of play: The building will go up along Loop 101 between Topgolf and OdySea Aquarium.
- Scottsdale-based developer Caliber is leading the project that's expected to break ground early next year.
The intrigue: The sheer size of PURE Pickleball & Padel — nearly 190,000 square feet — will allow it to host professional matches, youth clinics, open play and field trips all at the same time, Warner said.
- More young people are getting excited about pickleball and there aren't enough public courts and resources to serve them all, Warner said. PURE will provide them with the tools to learn and grow in the sport, he said.
Between the lines: Warner, a five-time USA Pickleball national champion, said the facility will have the "most expensive courts ever built."
- Each court will have privacy gates, a cushion surface and pro-level indirect lighting to ensure no shadows.
Zoom in: Arizona Drive, the state's Major League Pickleball team will be headquartered at PURE, Burk said.
- He expects some of the pros will also work at PURE as coaches for youth and amateur players.
What we're watching: The facility will also have two padel courts. Padel is another fast-growing racquet sport invented in Mexico. It's like a cross between pickleball and racquetball, per Berk.
- He said that if the sport's popularity increases, PURE can convert more pickleball courts to meet the demand.
