Pickleball has officially gone from taped driveways to $13M penthouses — and developers can’t build courts fast enough.

You'll also find:

• How to dismantle a power player without matching their speed

• The nutrition playbook for staying energized on long tournament days

• Why your shoes and insoles matter more as fall courts change

Consider this your game plan before you hit the courts.

🏙️ Pickleball Moves Into High-Rises

Developers aren’t just building gyms and pools anymore — they’re adding space for pickleball. From New York to Miami, and even as far as Mexico and Australia, private courts are quickly becoming the new must-have amenity. For buyers, it signals an active lifestyle. For developers, it’s a feature that sells.

Why Developers Are All In

• Courts move units: The Henry in NYC built a private indoor court and hit 50% sold before opening.

• Rooftops, gyms, and underused spaces are being reimagined for pickleball.

• Buyers now see a court as essential, not just a nice-to-have.

Beyond the U.S.

• A $13M penthouse in Australia comes with its own full-size rooftop court.

• Resorts in Mexico are offering pickleball lessons with the pros.

• In the UK, pickleball demand is rising fast, with pickleball courts costing half as much as padel.

The Bigger Picture

From taped driveways to luxury towers, pickleball’s presence in real estate shows how deeply it’s shaping communities. It’s no longer just about where people play — it’s influencing how people choose where to live.

🌍 Around the Picklesphere

🙌 The crew that makes play unforgettable
🏓 Falling in love with the game all over again
🎒 The pickleball backpack built for players (and built to give back)

🔥 Crack the Code on Power Players

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Big forehands, booming serves, nonstop drives — power players live for chaos. Neil Friedenberg says the trick isn’t to match their pace, it’s to flip the script.

Here’s how:

• Stay calm: body language and breathing are mental warfare.

• Control tempo: use drops, dinks, and resets to slow the rally.

• Aim smart: target feet, sharp angles, and awkward backhands.

• Reset often: absorb pace and drop it softly into the kitchen.

• Force errors: low balls, lunges, and spin push them off balance.

👉 See his full game plan here.

👀 Clearer Courts, Sharper Calls

Struggling with glare, fog, or sketchy line calls? Brioti’s FOCOS glasses are built for pickleball — impact-rated protection, no-slip grip, and lenses tuned for ball visibility under any lighting. From bright sun to harsh LEDs, they’ve solved the problems most brands skip.

Check out Brioti’s lineup to find your frame. The 4D Boost and 4D Shade lenses are designed for real play, so you can focus on the point instead of your eyesight.

🥪 Fuel Smarter Between Matches

Long tournament day ahead? The secret isn’t fancy powders — it’s knowing what to eat and when. Quick carbs right before play, carbs + protein if you’ve got a longer break, and hydration that actually helps.

10-20 min: Banana, applesauce pouch, or 2-3 dates
30-60 min: Oat bar: PB + banana, or yogurt tube
60-120 min: Turkey + cheese sandwich, hummus + pita, or cottage cheese + fruit
Hydration: Water when you need it, electrolytes when the sweat piles up.

👉 See the full guide + snack list you can throw in your pickleball bag.

👟 Fall Footwork Starts with Your Shoes

Cooler temps, slicker gyms, and dusty outdoor courts all hit your feet first — and if your base isn’t steady, everything up the chain (ankles, knees, back) feels it. The fix isn’t fancy: it’s picking the right shoes (we like Winners Edge!) and swapping in insoles that actually support you.

What to Look For:

• Surface match: non-marking grip indoors, durable tread outdoors

• Lateral lockdown: firm heel + sidewall support for wide plants

• Cushion + response: shock absorption that still feels stable

• Real insoles: upgrades like VKTRY give more energy return than flimsy stock foam.

Pro tip: Cold muscles need more prep — pair good shoes with a 90-second warm-up to keep legs fresh for game three.

👉 Get the full fall shoe + insole guide here.