CityPickle has been making headlines. From our continued expansion in New York City and beyond to the business of building successful pickleball clubs, we've had plenty to talk about.
Catch up on recent coverage in of CityPickle, our growing footprint, and our co-founders' perspectives on the future of the sport.
Pickleball is booming, but does that mean every pickleball business model is built to succeed?
In The Dink, CityPickle co-founder Mary Cannon examines the economics of pickleball club franchising and questions whether the traditional franchise model makes sense for a business driven largely by local real estate, programming, and operations.
In her article, "The Curious Case of Pickleball Club Franchising," Cannon argues that while demand for pickleball remains strong, operators still need a sustainable competitive advantage.
Why the pickleball franchise model deserves a closer look
Unlike businesses that benefit from a franchisor's national purchasing power, pickleball clubs face two major expenses that are inherently local: real estate and labor.
Cannon questions what additional value a franchise agreement provides when a club's success depends heavily on its location, management, programming, and ability to build a loyal community.
A national brand can offer significant advantages, but those advantages must translate into tangible value for the individual operator.
CityPickle's approach to building a competitive advantage
For CityPickle, that advantage begins with location.
From Times Square and Central Park to Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, CityPickle focuses on high-demand urban destinations where court space is scarce and difficult to replicate.
These locations also create opportunities for corporate events, private gatherings, and brand partnerships, generating revenue beyond recreational court bookings.
CityPickle's national brand further supports its business through sponsorships, media visibility, and a consistent experience across locations.
Bullish on pickleball, thoughtful about growth
Cannon's perspective isn't a critique of pickleball's future. Quite the opposite.
With participation continuing to grow across age groups and skill levels, CityPickle remains optimistic about the sport's long-term potential.
Her argument is that enthusiasm for pickleball should be matched by sound business fundamentals, and that a successful club needs more than a recognizable name on the door.
Read the full article in The Dink
Bisnow recently featured CityPickle in its examination of the evolving pickleball industry, highlighting the company’s success, hospitality-driven business model, and continued expansion in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida. In the October 29 article, "From Pandemic Darling to Cautionary Tale: Pickleball Clubs Face a Reckoning After Betting Big on Retail Space," commercial real estate publication Bisnow explores how pickleball operators are adapting to a more competitive market. CityPickle is recognized among the operators finding success by offering experiences that extend beyond the court.
More than pickleball: the CityPickle approach
In the article, Patrick Steffens, Senior Director of Leasing and Advisory Services at Avison Young, points to CityPickle’s food and beverage offerings as a key contributor to its success. That approach is central to the CityPickle experience. From recreational pickleball and instructional programs to dining, social gatherings, and private events, CityPickle brings people together through a combination of sport, hospitality, and community.
As the pickleball industry continues to grow, CityPickle’s focus on creating destinations for both players and nonplayers offers multiple ways for guests to engage with the brand.
Expanding in New York City and South Florida
Bisnow also highlights CityPickle’s expanding footprint, including its existing New York City locations, a forthcoming Brooklyn location, and Boca Paddle by CityPickle in Boca Raton, Florida. The expansion reflects CityPickle’s commitment to bringing pickleball and social experiences to more communities, with locations designed around the neighborhoods and audiences they serve.
As demand for pickleball continues to rise, CityPickle is building on a simple idea: a great pickleball club should offer more than a place to play.
Read the full article in Bisnow
Town & Country has featured Boca Paddle by CityPickle in "A Snob’s Guide to Boca Raton," highlighting the new pickleball and padel club as a destination for recreation and socializing in South Florida. Featured first in the guide’s “Where to Exercise & Socialize” section, Boca Paddle brings together racquet sports, dining, wellness, and community in one destination.
A new destination for pickleball and padel in Boca Raton
Located in Boca Raton, Florida, Boca Paddle by CityPickle is a 100,000-square-foot club featuring 25 pickleball and padel courts, alongside a range of amenities designed for life on and off the court. Beyond pickleball and padel, the club offers dining at Farmer’s Kitchen, wellness and recovery amenities including saunas and cold plunges, physical therapy, and dedicated workspaces. The result is a place where members and guests can play, connect, recharge, and spend time together, whether they’re coming for a match or making a day of it.
Where sport meets social Life
Boca Paddle reflects CityPickle’s approach to creating destinations that extend beyond the game itself. By combining pickleball and padel with hospitality, wellness, and opportunities to socialize, the club offers a new way to experience two of the fastest-growing racquet sports.
Its inclusion in Town & Country’s Boca Raton guide recognizes the club as part of the city’s evolving recreational and social landscape.
Not to be snobs about it, but we’re happy to be in good company.
Read the guide in Town & Country
The Pickleball Weekly recently featured CityPickle co-founders Mary Cannon and Erica Desai in “Building Pickleball in the City,” an in-depth look at how the two entrepreneurs are bringing pickleball, hospitality, and community to some of the country’s most recognizable urban destinations.
The October 14, 2026 feature, written by Carl Foster, traces CityPickle’s journey from its founding in New York City in 2021 to its growing presence across New York, Philadelphia, and South Florida.
From Central Park to Times Square and beyond
What began as a shared passion for pickleball has grown into a business built around a simple idea: make the sport more accessible in cities where dedicated court space is difficult to find. The article revisits CityPickle’s 2023 debut at Wollman Rink in Central Park, where the team transformed the iconic skating rink into 14 pickleball courts. It also explores the opening of CityPickle Times Square, housed in the former Paramount Theatre, and the forthcoming 11-court CityPickle location near the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, scheduled to open in spring 2027. These distinctive locations are central to CityPickle’s strategy of bringing pickleball into the neighborhoods where people live, work, and socialize.
More than courts: a new kind of pickleball club
Throughout the interview, Cannon and Desai discuss CityPickle’s hospitality-driven approach to the sport.
Their vision extends beyond court bookings to include dining, social experiences, corporate events, and programming for players of all skill levels.As Desai explains, the goal is to create a “third place,” somewhere beyond home and work where people feel connected to their community. That philosophy also shapes Boca Paddle by CityPickle in Boca Raton, Florida, where pickleball and padel are joined by food and beverage, wellness amenities, and spaces to work and socialize.
Growing the game and the community
The feature also highlights CityPickle’s commitment to introducing more people to pickleball through beginner clinics, leveled open play, leagues, tournaments, youth programs, and community initiatives. Cannon and Desai discuss the importance of making the sport welcoming to newcomers while providing opportunities for experienced players to compete and improve.The interview also explores their experiences as female founders in the pickleball industry, their commitment to developing women in leadership and coaching roles, and their ambitions for CityPickle’s continued growth. From hosting Major League Pickleball championships in Central Park to opening new clubs, CityPickle remains focused on making pickleball a bigger part of urban life.
Read the full feature in The Pickleball Weekly
CityPickle was recently included in The Philadelphia Tribune’s “Out and About: What’s Happening in Philly,” a roundup of local activities and experiences across Philadelphia. The mention puts CityPickle among the city’s options for getting out, staying active, and connecting with others.
Bringing pickleball to Philadelphia
CityPickle is built around making pickleball accessible, social, and welcoming to players of all experience levels.
Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or looking for more opportunities to play, pickleball offers a fun way to stay active, meet people, and enjoy some friendly competition. CityPickle’s approach combines the sport with opportunities for community and connection, creating experiences that extend beyond the court. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, we’re excited to be part of Philadelphia’s recreational and social scene.
Read the feature in The Philadelphia Tribune