The number of pickleball players in the U.S. is approaching 40 million, and there are somewhere around 11,000 known places to play across the country, according to the 2023 APP Tour’s Pickleball Participation report.
The South Atlantic Region has the most players, and South Florida has emerged as a hub for the sport. So it stood to reason that the first dedicated pickleball stadium and entertainment complex should be built in Fort Lauderdale.
Called The Fort, this complex—which is scheduled to open this month with a small tournament—encompasses 43 lighted courts (14 of which are covered), with Advanced Playsight technology for live-streaming matches, instant replays, and coaching analysis. The Fort is now the official headquarters and training facility for the Association of Pickleball Professionals. It also serves as a destination for recreational players and social visitors. (Membership packages and day passes are available online.)
Grand opening next spring
The stadium will hold up to 2,000 spectators, and its four grandstands will have bleachers for seating. The complex offers an on-site pro shop, locker rooms, and a post-play recovery center. The Fort will use eight acres of an 10-acre site, which is part of the 96-acre Snyder Park, that includes a three-acre program layout called The Lake House. The Fort’s restaurant is scheduled to open in March 2025, and the facility’s grand opening ceremony is scheduled for April.
Centennial Bank provided a $7 million construction loan for this project, whose construction cost is just shy of $25 million, according to the developers.