Pickleball Innovators

While many pickleball operators are focused on fast expansion and filling warehouse space, Chris White took a different approach in Canada. He built IPOP as a partnership-driven model — one that works alongside nonprofits, municipalities and local communities to solve one of the sport’s biggest challenges: access to courts. The result? A pickleball concept that’s less about real estate arbitrage and more about infrastructure, inclusivity and long-term growth. From public-private partnerships to health-focused programming and culturally inclusive leagues, IPOP is an example of what a pickleball facility can be in an underserved market. In this episode, Chris shares: -Why IPOP was built as a for-profit working with nonprofits — not against them -How public-private partnerships are unlocking new facility opportunities -The reality of operating in a high-cost, low-supply market like Canada -Why programming — not just courts — is the key to long-term success -How inclusive, community-based initiatives are driving retention and growth -The opportunity to position pickleball as a health and wellness solution -His concerns around saturation — and why “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t work Whether you’re an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to grow sustainably — especially in markets where the traditional playbook doesn’t apply. 🎙️ Guest: Chris White, Founder & CEO, IPOP To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

When everyone else was converting grocery stores and warehouses into pickleball facilities, Kelly Bodner went a different direction. She built Indiana's first ground-up, purpose-built indoor pickleball club from dirt — and modeled it after a country club. The result? Pickle on Penn in Carmel, Indiana: eight cushioned courts, locker rooms stocked with the essentials, a boutique pro shop, and a restaurant and bar overlooking the courts. Members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues in exchange for free court time, free open play, and high-end amenities. In this episode, Kelly shares: -Why she chose a membership model over pay-to-play -What the country club approach gets right about retention and community -How she broke up cliques and built real friendships among members -The truth about adding a restaurant to your pickleball club -What she'd do differently — and why she'd do it all again Whether you're an operator, investor or pickleball entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest, hard-won insight from someone who built something genuinely different in a crowded market. 🎙️ Guest: Kelly Bodner, Owner, Pickle on Penn | Carmel, Indiana To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe 🎾 Topics: Club membership models, country club pickleball, facility design, community building, restaurant strategy

In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Michael Wilmot — Chief Growth Officer at Boston Pickle Club — breaks down how BPC built the New England Tournament Series into a six-event, year-long competitive circuit that's growing 25 to 30 percent with every leg. Wilmot shares why they walked away from paid marketing in favor of a grassroots approach built on player influencers and early registration momentum, how DUPR has become one of their most powerful recruiting tools for developing players, and why the off-court experience is just as important as anything happening on the courts. He also gets into what surprised them most about repeat participation — and why that turned out to be an opportunity rather than a problem. For operators who want to turn tournaments into more than a one-time event — and build something players keep coming back for — this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Christy Howden — owner of Wolverine Pickleball Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan — shares how she built one of the most community-driven facilities in the country, one intentional decision at a time. From beach tennis and bocce to mahjong and goat yoga, Wolverine Pickleball has become something far bigger than a place to play. Howden opens up about what she learned from her first warehouse location that she couldn't have learned anywhere else, why community building has to be cultivated rather than hoped for, and the uncomfortable conversations every operator needs to be willing to have about programming quality. She also shares what genuinely surprised her most about running a pickleball club — and it has nothing to do with courts. For operators who want to build something people actually show up for — and keep showing up for — this one is for you. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

Curious about the 2026 Pickleball Innovators Summit and what all it entails? In this Discovery Session webinar, Editor-in-Chief Rachel Chonko sits down with Mitch Dunn, founder of The Pickle Lodge and returning attendee, and Andrew Herrera, Director of Specification Sales at LSI Industries and returning sponsor, to pull back the curtain on what the Summit actually looks and feels like from the inside. They cover the intimate, working-session format that sets it apart from traditional industry events, the peer-to-peer round tables where operators share the nitty-gritty of what’s actually working (and what isn’t), and the intentional networking design that ensures you leave knowing nearly everyone in the room. You’ll also get a preview of this year’s round table topics — court utilization, programming and revenue, member retention, leadership and culture, and youth and beginner growth — plus a look at the special Q&A session with an EVP at The Bay Club Company. The 2026 Summit takes place October 12–14 at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. Spots are limited to 45 operators. If you’re an owner, founder, GM, or multi-location operator wondering whether this event deserves a spot on your calendar, this is the place to start. To learn more or register, email [email protected] or visit peakemediaevents.com/pbisummit. To inquire about sponsoring, email [email protected].

What happens when a passion for human connection becomes a business model? For Kevin Richards, it became RECS — and a blueprint for what a pickleball club community can look like at its best. In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Kevin — CEO and founder of RECS in Portland, Oregon — shares how a decade-long journey from building pickleball's first algorithm-based rating system led him to open a club rooted in what he calls "analog connectivity": the belief that people are starving for real, in-person connection, and that pickleball is one of the best vehicles we have to deliver it. From the hospitality-first philosophy that turned members into loyalists, to the membership structure and lease lessons every operator needs to hear, to why he's building a nonprofit arm to get kids off screens and onto courts — Kevin brings a grounded, mission-driven perspective to pickleball club ownership that's as practical as it is inspiring. For club operators who want to build something people actually show up for, this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

What does 30 years in the global fitness industry teach you about running a pickleball club? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Tim Keightley — CEO of Center Court Pickleball in the Phoenix Valley — breaks down how he's applying decades of health and fitness expertise to build one of the most member-focused pickleball club brands in the country. From the lessons learned opening three locations that are already reshaping their fourth, to why they pulled back on some amenities, to the injury prevention gap he believes the entire pickleball industry needs to address — Tim brings a refreshingly grounded, long-game perspective to pickleball club management and growth. For club operators looking to build something sustainable in an increasingly competitive market, this one is worth your time. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Seymour Rifkind — founder and president of the World Pickleball Federation and the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association, and founder of the Pickleball Hall of Fame — shares his global perspective on the rapid international expansion of pickleball. The conversation explores where the sport is growing fastest around the world, why Asia represents a massive opportunity, and what still needs to happen before pickleball can realistically make its Olympic debut. For club operators, it’s an eye-opening look at how the globalization of pickleball could shape competition, talent pipelines and long-term industry growth. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Pickleball Innovators Podcast, Kurtis Campbell — founder of Pickleball Manager and former professional pickleball player — shares how tournament and league software is transforming club operations. The conversation explores how automation, accurate data tracking and seamless digital experiences can reduce court downtime, free staff time and increase revenue. For pickleball operators, it’s a practical look at why technology is quickly becoming a competitive advantage rather than an optional upgrade. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe

Ace Pickleball Club (APC) brought qualified members from 17 clubs across the country together January 27 through February 1 for the 2026 APC National Championship, delivered with DoorDash. The six-day event served as the culmination of the organization’s 2025 Championship Series — a six-stop, members-only competition that generated over 7,000 player registrations throughout the year and represented significant growth from the prior year’s total of 507 participants. While the scale of the event — including a $250,000 prize pool and more than 2,500 matches — positioned APC as a major player in competitive pickleball, the philosophy behind the tournament reveals a broader strategic lesson for operators: the championship is less about elite competition and more about member experience. To stay in the loop on the latest trends in the pickleball club space, subscribe to the Pickleball Innovators newsletter: https://pickleballinnovators.com/subscribe