Things to Do

5 places to play pickleball in Greater Boston

All skill levels, from beginners to professionals, are welcome at these locations.

By Kristina DaPonte

May 7, 2024

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Outdoor sports season is here. With warmer weather on the way, Bostonians will be headed out to the city’s fields, courts, tracks, and diamonds to play sports, whether it’s with friends, family, or in a league.

Pickleball, which contains elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, has quickly become a popular sport across the country. The demand for pickleball has increased, leading to more and more courts and venues popping up where people can play the game. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country for the third year in a row — from 2022 to 2023, the sport grew in popularity by 51.8%, and over the last three years, it grew by an astounding 223.5%.

We’ve rounded up five local spots where you can play pickleball at any level, whether it’s your first time holding the racket or you’ve been on the trend for years.

Where to play pickleball in the Boston area

Boston Pickle Club

Boston Pickle Club, which opened in February, offers seven regulation pickleball courts for customers to use seven days a week. The Hyde Park club also offers various programs for all levels, such as personal lessons, open play opportunities, and clinics. Boston Pickle Club also has a lounge, merchandise shop, and do-it-yourself walls for practice.

“Our whole model is to…focus on pickleball, a membership-based model, and to really lean on the fact that pickleball is very inclusive across age, gender, ability, et cetera,” said Boston Pickle Club co-owner Steven Hauck.

Hauck wants the club to be an inclusive venue, where people can focus on health and wellness without worrying about their skill level.

“If you’re coming to the Boston Pickle Club, know that whatever your ability is — first time playing all the way to someone who wants to ascend to the pro circuit — we have instruction and programs and clinics aligned for you.”

91 Sprague St., Hyde Park

Pickleball Social Club Boston

This South Boston pickleball spot, located at Harpoon Brewery in the Seaport, has lots of play options for everyone, from beginners to pickleball pros. The venue offers hourly rentals of its four courts, weekend challenges for both recreational and advanced ballers against local players, and monthly tournaments. Stop at the brewery to grab a cold beer after playing.

306 Northern Ave., Seaport

PKL Boston

A self-described “pickleball parlor,” this 22,000-square-foot space at in Southie offers more than just the game. After playing a round or two of pickleball on one of the venue’s five courts, visitors can refuel at the restaurant or cocktail lounge before playing cornhole or shuffleboard. PKL Boston offers drop-in sessions and clinics for beginners.

64 C St., South Boston

The Park at Assembly Row

This multi-sport venue in Somerville houses 12 outdoor pickleball courts, as well as courts for sand volleyball, shuffleboard, and bocce. The Park, which is powered by Volo Sports, has various leagues that people can enter as well. If you’re looking for a more social setting to play pickleball, there is a “party pickleball” option available. But if you’d rather play more competitively, leagues are offered for veteran players as well.

300 Grand Union Blvd., Somerville

YMCA of Greater Boston

Ten YMCA locations in Greater Boston offer pickleball programming: the Burbank in Reading, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Huntington Avenue in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood, Parkway Community in West Roxbury, Oak Square in Brighton, North Suburban in Woburn, Waltham, and Roxbury locations all have open courts. Drop-in pickleball is included with YMCA memberships, perfect for playing at your convenience. The Parkway Community location also offers intro to pickleball courses.

Many outdoor public parks around Boston also have pickleball courts, such as Warren Field and Jean B. Waldstein Playground in Brookline, Victory Field in Watertown, Billings Field in West Roxbury, and Joe Moakley Park in Southie.

Multiple locations

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