The 8 Most Iconic Pickleball Courts in the U.S.

Pickleball is mandatory in Beast City. The "Silent Killer" of your partnership

Author

Empower Pickleball
February 03, 2026

Apparently Punxsutawney Phil hasn’t discovered pickleball yet. No shadow is scaring a player away from a session on the courts.

Groundhog Day came and went, and if the forecasts and folklore are right, winter is sticking around a little longer. That just means one thing for pickleball players: it’s officially indoor season. If you haven’t joined an indoor pickleball club yet, now’s the perfect time to stay warm and keep playing… if you can afford it.

Inside:

  • Cross these iconic pickleball destinations off your bucket list

  • Pickleball’s presence in Beast City

  • The “Silent Killer” of your doubles partnership

🏙️ Pickleball is Mandatory in Beast City

With no pickleball or NFL games on TV last weekend, sports fans had to look elsewhere for their fix. If you found yourself watching Season 2 of Beast Games on Amazon Prime, you may have spotted something that felt instantly familiar inside Beast City.

Beast City Levels Up

Beast City gets a serious upgrade in Season 2, and yes, it includes a pickleball court. Because let’s be honest, no city is truly complete without pickleball. That said, Jimmy— for a game show giving away five million dollars—we may need to invest in a slightly better net.

While pickleball was not front and center for the casual viewer, fans of the sport definitely noticed its quiet presence woven into the background of Beast City life.

Where Alliances Are Formed

The pickleball court turned out to be more than just a place to play. One contestant shared that it helped her break the ice and connect with others in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. Those friendly games led to real conversations, trust, and alliances that ended up mattering far beyond the court.

In a competition where strategy and relationships drive everything, a few dinks and volleys became a subtle but powerful tool for building community.

Pickleball Pops Up at the Grammys

Pickleball also found its way into pop culture again over the weekend. During his monologue at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, Trevor Noah gave a shout-out to Hollywood’s favorite pastime.

Spotting known pickleball enthusiast Jamie Foxx in the audience, Noah listed his accolades before adding, “The man who owes me a pickleball rematch.”

From Beast City to the Grammys, pickleball continues to show up exactly where you least expect it.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

😅 Ditch these myths so you can recover faster
🪖 This military vet discovered a new mission on the courts
💪 Power doesn’t come from effort, it comes from the right technique

🤫 The "Silent Killer" of Doubles Partnerships: Why Teams Fail & How to Reset

Photo courtesy of The APP

It’s no secret that chemistry plays a massive role in doubles pickleball. You can’t just stick two players together and expect great results.

Partnerships can fail for any number of reasons: different play styles, senses of humor, whether you’re a cat person or a dog person.

One silent killer of doubles partnerships is the players’ willingness to adapt. Some players adapt to each game and are constantly changing how they play. Others have one strategy and stick to it, win or lose.

There is nothing that will end a partnership faster than one player asking their partner to slow things down, but the partner driving thirds into trouble or the net.

How to Reset

The best way to make sure you’re not the one causing the problem is to LISTEN. Ask your partner how they want to play and really hear them out. Hopefully, they check back in with you and are open to your perspective on how to play more effectively.

Two players with great chemistry will beat two players in a passive aggressive standoff, every day of the week. Tell us how you build chemistry with your partner here.

✈️ Travel That Actually Understands Pickleball

VibeGetaways specializes in pickleball group vacations at Sandals and Beaches resorts, pairing scheduled court time with thoughtfully organized group experiences. No guesswork. No scrambling for courts. No pressure to participate in everything.

Each trip includes reserved pickleball sessions, group mixers, and plenty of space to unwind—whether that means joining open play, heading to the beach, or sitting out a session entirely.

And because VibeGetaways works directly with the resorts, their agents handle the planning details at no additional cost to you.

👉 See upcoming pickleball group getaways.

🪣 The 2026 Bucket List: 8 Most Iconic Pickleball Courts in the U.S.

Photo courtesy of Sip & Pickle

You can stop blindly searching the net. We’ve compiled the exclusive list of iconic courts you need to cross off your pickleball bucket list in 2026.

What’s your idea of a perfect pickleball destination? Mountains in the background, an ocean breeze keeping you cool, or just courts as far as the eye can see. This list has it all.

Here’s a sneak peek at the winners:

  • Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Complex—Steamboat Springs, CO

  • Flamingo Resort & Spa—Santa Rosa, California

  • The Founders Courts—Bainbridge Island, Washington

👉 See the full list here or tell us which court you think belongs in the Top 8.

💸 Are Court Fees Killing the Game?

Indoor courts fixed a lot: climate control, consistent schedules, no wind or rain. But rising fees and strict booking rules are creating friction.

Pickleball grew because it was easy to play. Show up, grab a paddle, join a game. Today, many players hit walls:

  • Memberships or court fees

  • Bookings weeks in advance

  • Limited prime-time access

There’s no denying that when pickleball gets its hooks in you, your wallet opens up. You start shelling out for better paddles, new shoes, and now, court time. But the constraints around membership have turned some players away from the game completely. So, we want to know…

Are you a member of an indoor pickleball facility?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

👉 Read more about how court fees are affecting players and facilities.

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