Your Guide to Pickleball in Miami

Pickleball is hot. This fast-paced racket sport is sweeping the nation and the world, whether as a social, low-impact way to stay in shape or a highly competitive recreational sport.

Over the past few years, high-end resorts, public parks and everywhere in-between have installed pickleball courts, and Greater Miami & Miami Beach is no exception. If you’ve heard about pickleball and are curious about playing or are an avid pickleballer looking for places to play, we have you covered. Here is everything you need to know about pickleball in Miami.

What is Pickleball?

For the uninitiated, pickleball is a paddle sport played on a hard court about a quarter of the size of a tennis court and, like tennis, with a net in the middle. Each point begins with an underhand serve of a hard, plastic ball (it looks like a wiffleball) that the receiver must let bounce in the service box before hitting it back. The return must also bounce once, and the rally continues until one player hits it out, hits the net or lets the ball bounce twice. Games are played to 11 points, and only the serving player can score. Most people play doubles, but singles matches are popular, too.

Much like tennis or basketball, you can play pickup games on courts around Miami or get into more-structured leagues, in which players are rated by their skill level. And, yes, there are even professional pickleball leagues with ticketed tournaments.

Where to play pickleball in Miami

Finding a place to play pickleball in Miami is easy. Many of our public parks have repurposed tennis and basketball courts with pickleball lines and nets. In Miami Beach, you’ll find courts at the Miami Beach Golf Club on Alton Road. Courts are also available at Haulover Park on the north part of Parking Lot 2. And if you’re looking to play pickleball at night, Polo Park on Michigan Avenue has lighted courts that are open late.

There are plenty of free courts across the causeway, too. Douglas Park near Coral Gables splits its courts with tennis players and offers pickleball on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Near Westchester, Miller Drive Park and Tropical Park also offer pickleball. And Suniland Park in Pinecrest turns over its basketball courts to pickleball on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Pickleball Clubs in Miami

Pickleball in Miami isn’t limited to public courts. Those looking for a more-upscale or social experience can play at one of the destination’s pickleball clubs. These clubs offer more-structured environments, where players can compete in tournaments, take lessons, book courts and play games according to their skill level.

The David Ensignia Tennis Academy at 6401 Kendale Lakes Drive in Kendall houses the largest pickleball club in Miami. With 16 dedicated courts, DETA is the best option for serious players who want a regular place to dink. The facility is open to the public, so no membership or initiation fees are required, although court time, lesson and tournament entry fees still apply.

Ultra Padel & Pickleball offers a more full-service experience on its courts in Little Haiti. Although the club was designed by world class padel player Fernando Alarcon, it has expanded to include pickleball and offers indoor and lighted courts that are open late. Guests can sign up for matchmaking services, in which Ultra pairs players of similar levels to create competitive matches. Ultra Padel & Pickleball is open to the public, and courts can be reserved starting at $25 per 90-minute session.

Pickleball Events

Perhaps you’re a casual player but want to watch the best players in the world to gain some inspiration. As it does with most sports, Miami also hosts world-class pickleball events with competitions that are open to spectators. The first is The Pickle Games Miami, which bills itself as the largest pickleball tournament in the world on 100 courts at Miami Marine Stadium. In 2024, the two-day tournament is scheduled for January 13 and 14, with round-robin play on Saturday and bracket play Sunday. Beyond the games, the weekend will also include food, live music, drinks and local vendors.

In October 2023, the World Pickleball Tour came to the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club for a three-day amateur tournament. The Miami Challenger served as a qualifier for the 2024 Amateur Invitational Championships, an event with prize money of $175,000.

Want to compete?

If you think you have what it takes to beat other top-tier pickleball players, DECA is hosting the Miami Amateur Open December 2-3. Players from juniors all the way up to 3.0-5.0-rated players are welcome to sign up in singles, doubles and mixed doubles divisions. Registration starts at $65 for your first event and is open now.