Discover Pickleball Kingdom’s growth and its bold vision for the future of indoor pickleball.
Pickleball is no longer just a backyard game — it’s a booming global industry. At the forefront of this growth is Pickleball Kingdom, a fast-growing franchise in the indoor pickleball space. With 400 awarded franchises in various stages of development and expansion plans reaching international markets, founder Ace Rodrigues and franchisee John Hylton are helping shape the next chapter of the sport’s evolution.
What sets Pickleball Kingdom apart? According to Rodrigues, the company boasts the highest average unit volume of any pickleball franchise, backed by financial data in its Franchise Disclosure Document.
“There’s no close second,” said Rodrigues. “That speaks volumes.”
With franchises awarded across the country, Rodrigues noted that the strongest growth regions are the East Coast, the Midwest — including Texas — and now the Northwest. While the U.S. remains the dominant market, global expansion is also a priority.
“I see pickleball as our next football or basketball export from the United States,” said Rodrigues. “The growth opportunity is enormous because truly anyone can play.”
To accelerate international expansion, Rodrigues recently promoted Rob Streett to president and chief global officer, underscoring the company’s commitment to overseas markets. While he did not disclose specific countries, he confirmed they are in advanced negotiations with several international partners.
Leading the brand’s push in the Northwest is John Hylton, the CEO of Pickleball Kingdom Northwest and a franchisee. A former real estate investor, Hylton first discovered pickleball during the pandemic and quickly recognized the massive demand for indoor facilities — particularly in Seattle, where the sport was born.
“I was shocked to see that there was such a huge demand for pickleball courts, but really no indoor facilities in Washington,” Hylton said.
After researching various franchise opportunities, Hylton ultimately chose Pickleball Kingdom for its leadership, operational support and community-driven model.
“Unlike some of the other facilities out there, we’ve really gone in on one of our core mottos: creating community,” said Hylton.
Hylton secured 21 franchise licenses for the Northwest region. His first two locations, in Poulsbo and Lynnwood, Washington, are set to open within weeks. Notably, Poulsbo is just miles from Bainbridge Island, where pickleball was invented in 1965.
While pickleball continues to grow, Rodrigues believes the industry is entering a new phase.
“In the beginning, almost anyone could open a club and almost have success just because of the hype,” said Rodrigues. “That’s going to change. If the quality isn’t there, there’s a cost for everything.”
He predicts a market contraction, where only a few strong brands will survive in the long term.
“I believe in the near future, there will be literally a handful of brands left surviving,” said Rodrigues. “Not only are we going to be one of them, we will be the alpha.”
One of Pickleball Kingdom’s biggest differentiators is its focus on inclusivity. Many pickleball facilities cater primarily to intermediate and advanced players, making it difficult for beginners to get started. To address this, Pickleball Kingdom offers Pickleball 101 classes twice daily — free for new players.
“There’s still a pretty big barrier to entry for a lot of people,” said Hylton. “We break down that barrier. We’ll show you everything you need to know.”
Additionally, Pickleball Kingdom clubs designate specific courts for beginners, intermediate players and advanced players to ensure everyone feels welcome.
Once viewed as a sport for retirees, pickleball’s demographic is shifting rapidly — especially with younger generations. More youth programs, junior tournaments and school-based pickleball initiatives are emerging nationwide.
Rodrigues believes this trend is key to the sport’s long-term growth.
“The amount of children that play, the amount of the young population — those teenagers to early twenties, is growing,” said Rodrigues. “That’s maybe right now not the bulk of the players, but it’s getting close.”
Taking it a step further, Rodrigues predicts pickleball will one day rival the NFL in popularity.
“Pickleball will be every bit as big as the NFL is today, just in the future,” said Rodrigues.
With franchises opening rapidly across the country and international growth on the horizon, Pickleball Kingdom is well-positioned to lead the industry’s next phase.
“These are incredibly exciting times,” said Rodrigues. “I’m excited that we’re a part of it and we’re helping to craft it to some degree.”
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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.
