Las Vegas, NV — The sport of pickleball is about to get a luxurious upgrade. A new sports and entertainment complex, aptly named Electric Pickle, is breaking ground in Las Vegas, promising to provide more courts for the city’s growing number of pickleball enthusiasts.

A New Era for Pickleball

Electric Pickle is not just a local venture. The company has ambitious plans to expand into several key cities nationwide in 2023 and 2024, with a recent groundbreaking in Tempe, Arizona. Each location will be equipped with ten courts and full-service private cabanas, allowing players to relax in a refined environment between games.

The complex aims to offer more than just a place to play. Guests will be able to enjoy outdoor TVs and fireplaces, bocce, and a 10,000-square-foot restaurant featuring lavish Tulum-inspired decor. The goal is to create a unique, immersive experience that goes beyond the game.

Strategic Partnerships and Expansion

Knighthead Capital Management has announced its involvement in the project as a strategic partner. This partnership aligns with Knighthead’s recent collaboration with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and Tennis Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters to purchase an expansion team for the 2023 Major League Pickleball season.

“Knighthead Capital Management, LLC and the Electric Pickle team share the same values and passion to provide everyone with an electrifying pickleball experience,” said Paul Frederick, one of the founders of Electric Pickle. “This new one-of-a-kind entertainment complex will inspire guests to socially connect outdoors with the popularity of pickleball as the driving catalyst.”

Looking Ahead

While developers have yet to announce an opening date and location, the anticipation is building. The Las Vegas Valley location, set to break ground in Spring 2024, will span three acres and feature a 10,000-square-foot complex.

In addition to the ten courts and private cabanas, the complex will also feature a variety of amenities designed to enhance the guest experience. These include outdoor TVs, fireplaces, bocce ball, and a restaurant with lavish decor inspired by Tulum.

“We are a hospitality-based company, and that’s really what’s driving the majority of the business model for Electric Pickle,” said Frederick. “It’s just a big entertainment restaurant, with 10 pickleball courts and lots of little fun activations that keep people entertained.”

As the sport of pickleball continues to gain popularity nationwide, Electric Pickle is poised to become a premier destination for players and fans alike. The company looks forward to welcoming “picklers” and non-playing guests alike in the spring of 2024.

More Than Just a Game

Courtney Loughridge, secretary of Southern Nevada Pickleball’s board of directors, believes that private facilities like Electric Pickle will give people in Las Vegas a place to gather — beyond public courts — to play and meet other players on their same level or with similar interests.

“Pickleball is an incredibly social game, and we are thrilled to unify those who play the sport by opening Electric Pickle complexes in key regions throughout the United States,” said Tom Wagner, Co-Founder of Knighthead Capital Management LLC.

Frederick attributed pickleball’s popularity to how easy it is to pick up and quickly gain skill in playing. But of course, Electric Pickle will capitalize on the social aspect of the game, which he said is pretty cool.

“The brand was originated by a feeling, like an emotion,” Frederick said. “So when you feel good, you feel alive — you feel electric. And that’s how we arrived at a positive exciting name that we could build a brand around.”

A New Addition to Las Vegas Entertainment

Las Vegas already has smash rooms, ax throwing, escape rooms, karaoke lounges, a golf experience, and a dart lounge on the way. All offer a lounge and maybe even a restaurant next door. Now pickleball has its day when a California-based restaurant group opens a three-acre, 10,000-square-foot facility at The Bend, the 158,511-square-foot retail and restaurant development spanning 10 acres under construction in southwest Las Vegas across from Ikea.

The complex will include nine pickleball courts to accommodate 36 players, a two-story restaurant with a patio and rooftop bar, three bars, cornhole and bocce ball courts, and a lawn for live music, yoga classes, and other group gatherings in 2022 and 2023.

The restaurant plans to offer casual comfort cuisine such as Neapolitan pizzas, Mexico City tacos, American burgers, and Korean protein and hemp bowls. Dine-in and contactless ordering will be offered, including at the courts, where orders are delivered.

Once open, players can book a reservation online for courts at about $30 an hour.

The Bend also plans to feature the first new Galaxy Theater Luxury in Southern Nevada, in addition to Lotus of Siam, Shang Artisan Noodles, Baguette Cafe, Mothership Coffee Roasters, Freed’s Dessert Shop, The Great Greek, Aces & Ales Brewery, Tacos & Beer, and more. Other newcomers include Southern California’s Saint Felix Spirits & Fare with craft cocktails and food; Union Biscuit, a new breakfast and brunch kitchen that will feature biscuit sandwiches as well as Asian-influenced dishes; and Italian Graffiti from chef Marc Marrone and his partner Todd Lunger.