Pickleball’s rapid growth across the United States continues to drive major investment into indoor sports facilities, with another large-scale club now set to open in Pennsylvania as operators race to meet rising demand for the sport.
The Picklr is preparing to launch a new 27,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility in State College later this summer, further expanding its growing North American network.
The new club will be located inside the former Big Lots store at Benner Pike Shops and is expected to feature nine courts, a pro shop, private event spaces and on-site coaching programs.
According to the company, the courts will use proprietary outdoor-style surfacing developed by Just Courts, the official court layer of the Professional Pickleball Association.
The facility will also include an academy where players of different skill levels can train with certified instructors, while some membership tiers will provide access to Picklr locations across the United States.
Former Penn State football fullback Steve Smith, a member of the university’s 1999 graduating class, will own and operate the State College club.
“Bringing The Picklr to State College, Pennsylvania, means the community will benefit from the best-in-class indoor pickleball experience offered anywhere,” Smith said in a statement.
“I love everything about Penn State. To be back where I went to school and provide a world-class home for pickleball means the world to me.”
The development marks another major expansion step for The Picklr, which says it is currently developing more than 500 clubs and 5,000 courts across North America.
Pennsylvania has become an increasingly active market for pickleball infrastructure, with The Picklr already operating facilities in Exton and Newtown.
While membership pricing for the State College club has not yet been officially announced, existing Pennsylvania locations currently offer basic memberships starting between $89 and $99 per month.
Pickleball has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in North America over the past several years, driving strong commercial interest from franchise operators, investors and former professional athletes.
The rapid expansion of indoor venues also reflects the growing shift toward year-round participation, league play and structured coaching systems as pickleball evolves beyond temporary court conversions and recreational community sessions.
The State College facility further highlights how the sport is increasingly becoming a major business sector within the wider sports and recreation industry across the United States.
