Arizona Mills in Tempe will be the first mall in the United States to open Picklemall, an innovative pickleball court concept aimed to transform and occupy vacant mall stores.
Picklemall Arizona Mills, an innovative indoor pickleball concept, is set to open July 2023. This 104,000-sq.-ft. facility in Tempe, equipped with 24 champion-style courts, will be the first of many locations for Picklemall, as it aims to establish 50 venues across the United States within the next two years.
Backed by billionaire financier and Major League Pickleball founder Steve Kuhn, Picklemall plans to occupy vacant spaces in malls across the country, transforming them into pickleball hubs. The company’s CEO, West Shaw, spearheads the ambitious expansion that includes upcoming locations in Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Madison and Bentonville.
Picklemall seeks to address the increasing demand for pickleball courts in the U.S., reducing wait times while setting a new standard for champion-style facilities. Its approach combines autonomy and technology to deliver a seamless player experience.
“Our goal is to not only make pickleball accessible to more people but to actually help them improve their game with the help of experts,” says Shaw, in a recent press release. “We will have a few technological tricks up our sleeves to make that happen, and we’re excited to unveil them to the public.”
In the coming months, Picklemall plans to launch an app enabling players to schedule games, record their performance and enhance their skills. The app will integrate with the court’s infrastructure, allowing players to unlock the door to their pickleball court and provide a real-time recording of gameplay for players to analyze and learn from.
A key aspect of Picklemall’s vision is its focus on repurposing existing mall properties. By utilizing these spaces, Picklemall offers convenience, climate control and year-round games, regardless of the weather.
“Arizona, with its hot temperatures that can drain the city’s energy in the summer, presents an exciting opportunity for Picklemall to ignite joy and cultivate friendly competition in a safe, cool and familiar environment,” says Shaw, in a press release.
In addition to providing state-of-the-art courts, Picklemall will feature a pro shop at each location, offering branded merch and professional-grade pickleball equipment. The venues will also provide rental equipment options, allowing newcomers to play pickleball without the need to purchase their own gear.
For more information on Picklemall Arizona Mills, visit thepicklemall.com.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Cir. Ste. 313
Tempe, AZ 85282