Florida is by far one of the best pickleball destinations in the country. With its abundance of top-notch courts, vibrant pickleball communities, and year-round sunny weather, pickleball players flock to the Sunshine State. As a result, it is no surprise that Florida has the most courts (a whopping 1,191) and the most clubs (26) of any U.S. state.
Let's dig deeper into the current pickleball landscape in Florida by exploring TeachMe.To's data which creates a ranking for the top cities to play pickleball in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale
Leading the pack, Fort Lauderdale boasts the highest percentage of coaches with 28.57% in the state. Another surprising fact is that of all coaching lessons booked in the state, 22.55% were made for pickleball lessons in Fort Lauderdale. Quite simply, Fort Lauderdale is a pickleball player's dream. Later in 2024, this city will be home to the world's first pickleball stadium. A brand new venue will feature offer a 4,000 square foot event space with 43 professional pickleball courts. In addition, 14 of these courts which will be weatherproofed so players can keep playing no matter what kind of weather South Florida throws at them.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is not far behind Fort Lauderdale, with a significant presence of pickleball coaches at 14.29% and a high rate of the coaching lessons booked in Florida at 17.09%. The vibrant atmosphere and excellent facilities make it a popular destination for pickleball players. Miami Beach recently hosted South Beach Slam, a 10-court, waterfall-style doubles amateur tournament just a few months ago and has also been host to a variety of pickleball events.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg combines a strong coaching network at 20.41% of Florida's coaches with high participation rates and lessons booked of 17.09% , making it a key player in Florida’s pickleball landscape. Pickleball fits perfectly with the city's culture. For example, the SkyBeach Hotel and Marina recently renovated a sports complex with pickleball courts which located nearby a two-story beachfront bar, a cafe, a food truck, and more.
Port Saint Lucie
Despite having fewer coaches at 2.04%, Port Saint Lucie sees a notable 8.73% of lessons booked, indicating a dedicated player base and growing interest in the sport. The city's focus on community events and recreational activities has helped cultivate a passionate pickleball community.
A new 33,000-square-foot pickleball club will soon open in St. Lucie West that includes include 12 indoor courts, two covered outdoor courts, bocce ball, table tennis, corn hole, a café, a pro shop, locker room, lounge areas and events spaces.
Ranking | City | Coaches | Sessions Booked |
1 | Fort Lauderdale | 28.57% | 22.55% |
2 | Miami Beach | 14.29% | 17.09% |
3 | St. Petersburg | 20.41% | 17.09% |
4 | Port Saint Lucie | 2.04% | 8.73% |
5 | Oakland Park | 2.04% | 7.27% |
6 | Naples | 8.16% | 6.55% |
7 | Deerfield Beach | 6.12% | 5.82% |
8 | Tampa | 10.20% | 5.09% |
9 | West Palm Beach | 6.12% | 5.09% |
10 | Miami | 2.04% | 4.73% |
The future of pickleball
As the sport of pickleball continues to grow, Florida will continue to lead the way as some of the most popular pickleball locations in the United States. Cities like Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and St. Petersburg are great examples of how to foster a thriving pickleball environment. The state of Florida has already shown great dedication to enhancing its infrastructure for pickleball players. As more individuals play the sport, community engagement will continue to increase and Florida will continue to be leader for this exciting sport.
