For pickleball club owners navigating rapid growth and rising player expectations, technology is no longer a background tool — it is becoming central infrastructure. In a recent Pickleball Innovators podcast episode, Kurtis Campbell, the founder of Pickleball Manager and a former professional player turned software engineer, delivered a clear message: operational efficiency, user experience and data accuracy are now competitive differentiators, not optional upgrades.
Campbell’s perspective carries weight because he has lived both sides of the sport. As participation surged in recent years, he recognized that tournament and league management tools were lagging behind the needs of modern facilities. His central theme throughout the conversation was that automation is not about convenience — it is about protecting profitability.
He pointed to real-world operational impact as proof. In one example, Campbell described a tournament that typically required four volunteers to run but was able to operate with only two after implementing software. In another instance, he noted a tournament director was able to free up roughly 80% of his time simply by placing the event on automatic scheduling and score reporting.
For operators, the implication is significant. Court downtime, manual score entry and constant desk management quietly erode revenue. When courts sit empty between matches or staff are tied up managing logistics, the cost compounds across an entire event. Campbell explained how traditional tournament management often creates these bottlenecks:
“In the past tournament directors have basically had to sit behind the screen watching it 100% of the time because they have to manually put matches on courts, and then you have people coming back to the tournament desk saying, ‘I had these scores,’ and then they input the scores and then they need to find a new match to go to that court,” said Campbell. “So there’s a couple of pain points in there just in that one story of how a tournament operates. And I’ve focused on innovating in that space to help relieve all of those pain points.”
His argument is that automated court assignments, self-reported scores and mobile notifications can dramatically reduce that inefficiency — in some cases cutting downtime nearly in half.
Beyond operations, the conversation repeatedly returned to user experience. Rather than viewing software as a back-end utility, the episode underscored that digital interaction now shapes a player’s perception of a club just as much as in-person service. Today’s members expect the same clarity, speed and ease of use they encounter in mainstream consumer apps. When registration is confusing or navigation requires excessive steps, friction builds quickly — and that friction can directly influence whether a player returns.
Another major theme was the shifting economics of tournaments. Historically, many facilities outsourced tournament management due to the complexity and staffing requirements. Campbell suggested that model is becoming outdated as automation tools mature. When internal staff can manage events with fewer people and less oversight, clubs retain more revenue and reduce dependence on outside operators.
Ratings and data tracking also emerged as more than competitive tools — they are retention tools. Campbell explained that accurate rating systems help ensure appropriate matchups, which in turn drives player satisfaction and repeat participation. The goal is not to make every player hyper-competitive; it is to minimize frustration caused by wide skill gaps and inconsistent play quality.
Campbell also highlighted the growing importance of flexible event formats, particularly open play structures that collect match data without rigid scheduling. These formats allow clubs to maintain a casual atmosphere while still benefiting from accurate reporting and analytics.
Perhaps the most forward-looking insights came when discussing participation trends. Campbell noted that ladder leagues and team-based competitions are rapidly gaining traction.
“I think ladder leagues have become super, super popular in the past couple years,” said Campbell. Team formats, he added, are also surging in popularity as clubs experiment with customizable match structures that create more social and spectator-friendly environments.
Underlying all of these points is a broader strategic takeaway for club owners: spreadsheets, manual processes and fragmented systems are becoming liabilities. What once worked during the sport’s early boom now introduces risk, inefficiency and player dissatisfaction at scale.
The interview ultimately framed a clear shift in mindset. The next wave of successful pickleball facilities will not simply be those with the most courts or the newest buildings. They will be the clubs that reduce operational drag, deliver seamless digital experiences and leverage technology to free staff to focus on community, programming and growth rather than constant administration.
Prefer to listen? The full interview can be found on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
