An outdoor pickleball and padel complex with a bar and café is coming to the Seaport this summer
Why Boston? "It’s an iconic sports city," says founder and CEO David Gutstadt.
What measures 30,000 square feet, makes a thwack-thwack sound, and is coming to the Seaport this summer? That would be Ballers, a new social-and-sports concept featuring outdoor pickleball and padel courts, a bar and café with a noted chef, and community events like tournaments and theme nights. Come winter, the plan is to convert the pickleball courts to an ice rink. (Heaters and hot toddies should keep things comfy.) Courts and social spaces will be open to all.
Set to launch in mid-July, Ballers is backed by several pro-athlete investors, including tennis stars Kim Clijsters, Sloane Stephens, and Andre Agassi (now a pickle baller), along with pickleball champ Connor Garnett and NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey. Ballers will open its first location in Philadelphia in mid-June, followed by Boston. The company aims to open 50-plus locations in the United States in the next seven to 10 years.
Why Boston? “It’s an iconic sports city,” says founder and CEO David Gutstadt. Can’t argue with that. The idea is to connect people through sports and social experiences via the fast-growing racquet sports industry, he says. “We want to bring people together around the love of sports in an urban setting.”
With top-of-the-line courts and upscale amenities, Ballers is looking to create a private club experience in the city, but with no membership required. (Well, unless you want one; two-tiered monthly memberships will be offered that include free open play, advanced booking ability, and discounts on court time, lessons, food and beverage, and retail merch.)
The Boston venue will offer three padel courts — the first ones in Boston — designed for year-round play, and five pickleball courts. (The pickleball courts will transform into an ice rink with a synthetic surface in winter.) The pickleball- or padel- curious are welcome; Ballers will offer lessons for both sports, along with open play, meaning you can join a group on a court.
Originating in Mexico, padel is played on a court enclosed by glass walls. Typically played in doubles, using a racquet and a tennis ball, it’s is a fast-paced game. “Padel is harder to master than pickleball,” says Gutstadt, a former college tennis player who is now “obsessed” with padel.
Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. According to the International Padel Federation, padel is now played by around 25 million people across the globe, and is hugely popular in Mexico, Argentina, and Spain. FIP estimates there are courts in more than 90 countries.
And the pickleball boom hasn’t started to sour. “Young people are discovering the sport. Kids are starting to play in schools — you’ve got a brand-new wave of people coming into the sport,” Gutstadt says.
According to the Sports, Fitness, and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report, 19.8 million Americans played pickleball last year. Pickleball participation has grown 311 percent in the last three years, according to the report, with an average player age of 34.8.
Post-play eating and drinking will be part of the scene, of course. When Ballers opens in July, beverages will be available, including beer, wine, and hard seltzers. About a month later, they’ll open an outdoor café (under a shaded pergola) in partnership with James Beard Award semi-finalist chef Mitch Prensky of Supper Philly, L’Ecole, and Lutece. What will they serve? “Something local,” Gutstadt says.
The cost to play each sport will range from $15 to $30 per hour. 45 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston; www.ballers-us.com.
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