Sports Business Creating a Business Plan for Your Pickleball Club

by Ashley Owens; Co-Founder/Owner CourtReserve

Creating a business plan for your pickleball club can seem daunting, but it’s an essential step in ensuring the success of your organization. A business plan provides a roadmap for your club, including its goals, strategies, and financial projections. CourtReserve is working with many new pickleball clubs and facilities, so here are the best practices for creating a business plan for your new pickleball club!

Define your business idea by conducting market research.

Start by articulating your vision for the club. What is the purpose of the club? Who is the target market? What makes your club unique compared to others? Who are your competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can your club stand out? Another way to determine your area would be how many current players are in the community.

What technologies can help you be paperless and cashless?

Finding online software that can help with court management, event and program management, payments, and more can make your life as an owner/operator easier. Automation reduces manual paperwork and mistakes and improves data and analytics. An online presence with a mobile app creates visibility for players for opportunities to play, register and pay online.

How will you drive revenue?

Are you going to set up multiple membership levels with perks or drive programming and open plays? Will you have a pro shop with merchandise or sell contract court time? Are you considering being a 24hour facility for maximum playtime?

Set clear goals and objectives.

Identify what you hope to achieve with your club. Consider short-term and long-term goals, such as increasing membership, hosting tournaments and events, and creating a strong sense of community.

Do you want to be a players’ organization or a teaching academy? Do you have memberships, or do players pay for court time, open plays, and special events?

Develop a marketing strategy.

Once you understand the local pickleball market, you can create a marketing plan to help you reach your target audience. Consider how you will promote your club through social media, word of mouth, or advertising.

. Determine your finances.

Creating a budget and financial projections is crucial for the success of your club. Consider the costs of starting and running the club, such as equipment, facilities, flooring, and marketing expenses. Then, create a budget that considers both your projected expenses and revenue

Write your business plan.

Once you have all the necessary information, you can start putting your business plan together. Be sure to include an executive summary, a description of your business, market research, goals and objectives, marketing strategy, and financial projections. By defining your vision, understanding the market, setting clear goals, and creating a solid financial plan, you can position your club for long-term success.