Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park Is Building a Cooler Home for America’s Fastest-Growing Sport
With 14 climate-controlled courts, daily programming, a fully stocked Big Bad Paddle Co. pro shop and more upgrades on the horizon, the 40,125-square-foot club gives players across Pinellas County a year-round place to compete, improve and connect.
Florida is an ideal place to fall in love with pickleball. It is also a place where the midday sun, heavy humidity and sudden rain can turn an outdoor match into a test of endurance—or cancel it entirely. Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park offers a better answer: come inside, cool down and keep playing.
Located at 7300 U.S. Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park, the facility sits directly along one of the county’s primary north-south routes, making it easy to reach from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and surrounding communities. Inside, players find 14 dedicated, climate-controlled courts in a bright, clean and organized setting. The club is currently open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week, creating room for early games, midday open play and evening competition. Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park lists its complete schedule, reservations and current programming online.
A Growing Sport Needs Places Built for It
Pickleball is no longer a niche pastime or a sport associated with only one generation. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025, up from approximately 4.2 million in 2020. That represents 479% growth in five years, while players ages 13–24 now record the highest participation rate of any age segment. SFIA’s 2026 research also shows strong continued growth among women and core players who play eight or more times per year.
That national surge helps explain why a facility of this scale makes sense in Pinellas County. The local club occupies approximately 40,125 square feet and was developed by franchisees Steve Poborka and Kerrie Forrester, who began playing together before deciding to help expand the sport locally.
As Poborka said while the club was being planned, “The biggest thing is we really want to share this with the folks that have never played.” St. Pete Catalyst first reported the couple’s plans for the Pinellas Park location.
That beginner-friendly spirit is still visible in how the club operates. Pickleball Kingdom offers a free, one-hour Pickleball 101 class led by a certified coach, with paddles and balls provided. A first-time player can learn the rules, scoring and basic movement without buying equipment or already knowing a group. From there, open-play sessions organized by skill level provide a natural path into the local community.
Built Around the Way People Actually Play
The courts are the center of the experience, and the facility does the fundamentals well. High ceilings, premium lighting and air conditioning create consistent playing conditions regardless of the weather outside. The court surfaces are designed to maintain an authentic outdoor-style response while offering a more comfortable playing experience, and the individual court areas are clearly separated so multiple matches can run without the space feeling chaotic.
Technology adds another layer. Players can reserve private court time through the club’s app, keep score on digital displays and capture live replays that can be downloaded after a session. The facility also includes locker rooms and showers, a large community and event area, and programming that extends well beyond casual drop-in games.
Open play, private reservations, one-on-one coaching, group clinics, leagues, tournaments, round robins and junior programs give players multiple ways to participate. That range matters. A newcomer can learn the game in a supportive setting, while an established player can drill, compete and find matches at an appropriate level without searching across several outdoor parks.
The social side is equally important. Pickleball works because it creates interaction almost immediately: four players, a compact court and a format that makes conversation part of the rhythm. Pickleball Kingdom builds around that energy with space for people to gather before and after games, host private events or simply remain connected to the action.
A Real Pro Shop Inside the Club
The in-house Big Bad Paddle Co. pro shop is more than a small display near the front desk. Its walls feature a broad selection of paddles from accessible midrange choices to elite performance models, along with court shoes, balls, bags, grips, cleaning products, hydration gear and other accessories.
The advantage of buying inside an active facility is context. Players can compare shapes, grip lengths, balance and surface feel, ask questions, and demo select paddles before committing. A product description can explain technology, but it cannot tell a player how quickly a paddle moves at the kitchen or whether an elongated handle feels natural on a two-handed backhand. That is where an in-house pro shop earns its place.
The inventory also makes room for different kinds of players. Not everyone needs the most expensive paddle on the wall, but serious players should still have access to the newest high-performance construction. Big Bad Paddle Co. bridges those two ends of the market by giving customers meaningful options rather than steering every player toward the same answer
The Facility Is Still Evolving
Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park already has the courts, programming and retail foundation to serve a large regional community, but the work is not finished. The space is undergoing additional upgrades, with more ideas being developed around the courtside, social and hospitality experience.
The larger vision is to make the club somewhere people want to remain before and after a match—not simply a building where they reserve a rectangle of floor for an hour. Those future improvements will be introduced as the plans take shape, adding new reasons for players, families and friends to spend time at the facility. Stay tuned; there is more coming.
Come In, Cool Down and Play
For anyone who has been curious about pickleball, Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park removes many of the usual barriers. You do not need to battle the Florida sun, wait for an outdoor court or arrive with an established group. New players can take a free introductory class, visitors can join open play, experienced competitors can reserve courts or enter structured programs, and everyone can explore new equipment at Big Bad Paddle Co. while they are there.
The address is 7300 U.S. Highway 19 North, Pinellas Park, Florida 33781. Current schedules, reservations, lessons and membership information are available through the official Pinellas Park club page, while paddles and equipment can be explored online at Big Bad Paddle Co..
The courts are cool, the competition is growing and the pro shop is stocked. The next round of upgrades will reveal how much more this space can become—and that is where the rest of the story begins.
FAQ Section
How many courts does Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park have?
Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park features 14 dedicated indoor pickleball courts in a climate-controlled facility.
Where is Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park located?
The facility is located at 7300 U.S. Highway 19 North, Pinellas Park, Florida 33781.
Can beginners play at Pickleball Kingdom?
Yes. The facility offers a free one-hour Pickleball 101 class with instruction, paddles and balls provided. Players should check the current schedule before visiting.
Does Pickleball Kingdom Pinellas Park offer open play?
Yes. The facility offers organized open-play sessions divided by skill level, along with private reservations, leagues, clinics, tournaments and coaching.
Is there a pickleball pro shop inside the facility?
Yes. The in-house Big Bad Paddle Co. pro shop carries midrange and premium paddles, court shoes, balls, bags, grips and other pickleball accessories.
Can players demo paddles before purchasing?
Select paddles can be tested through the facility’s paddle-demo program, helping players compare shape, balance, grip and performance before buying.
