Where to Play Pickleball in Northern Virginia
Surprisingly, pickleball doesn’t involve any objects that look like pickles. The rackets look like a cross between badminton and ping pong paddles and the balls look like tennis balls. Pickleball is supposed to be named after pickle boats used in crew racing, the boats that carry the leftover rowers not picked by the other teams. Similarly, pickleball was said to be a mishmash of other sports to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Either that or it was named after a dog named Pickles.
And yet in spite of the silly name, pickleball is booming, yes even here in Northern Virginia. It’s easy to play, easy to learn, and even top players often have no past experience in tennis or ping pong experience. This may be your chance to become a pioneer and a champion.
Where to Learn to Play Pickleball in Northern Virginia
Pickleball is a social sport and many areas are happy to help beginners learn. Some of us prefer more structured classes though and there are tons of options.
Arlington Park Authority offers classes at Fort Scott Park and Walter Reed.
Lifetime Fitness
This is a paid-membership gym that offers drills and lessons from beginner to advanced, drop-in play, and leagues and tournaments.
USA Pickleball Official Rules
Skip to the head of your class by reading through the official rules. Or just see if pickleball seems like the sport for you.
Pickleballerz, a large private pickleball facility detailed below, offers clinics and private classes.
Where To Shop Pickleball Equipment in Northern Virginia
Alpine Ski Shop
Fairfax
The local answer to your ski, snowboard, and tennis needs also sells paddles, balls, and shoes for pickleball.
Pickleballerz
Chantilly
This all-in-one pickleball destination also offers a consignment shop for buying and selling used pickleball equipment.
Pickleball Central
Online
Your one-stop destination for everything pickleball.
Where to Play Pickleball in Northern Virginia
Arlington County Pickleball Courts
There are indoor drop-in pickleball courts at Arlington Mill, Thomas Jefferson, and Langston-Brown community centers and outdoor courts at Fort Scott, Gunston, and Glebe parks. Go to Walter Reed or Lubber Run for both indoor and outdoor courts.
Alexandria City Park has pickleball courts.
Fairfax County Pickleball Courts
Fairfax County offers an easy-to-use pickleball-court locator - just filter for “Pickleball lined court” to find 15 parks and 28 courts lined for pickleball.
Pickleballerz
Chantilly
Opened in September of 2020, this is the only location where you can find six dedicated indoor pickleball courts. Individual memberships are $35/month, which allows for discounts on drop-in sessions, court reservations, and leagues. Pickleballerz also hosts tournaments and offers a used pickleball equipment consignment shop.
Prince William Pickleball Courts
Prince William Recreation Mapper
Veterans Park in Woodbridge offers outdoor pickleball courts marked within existing tennis courts. They are available on a first come-first served basis.
A.J. Ferlazzo Building
Woodbridge
Also opened in September of 2020, the Ferlazzo building is the first dedicated outdoor pickleball courts north of Fredericksburg.
Stafford County and Fredericksburg Pickleball Courts
American Family Fitness Pickleball League
Fredericksburg
Playing pickleball here requires a gym membership but there are 9 locations of the gym, one in Fredericksburg.
Kenmore Park
Dedicated pickleball courts and dedicated pickleballers. The hardest part is finding an open court but there are plenty of people who love to play here!
USA Pickleball Official Places 2 Play Locator
The official USA Pickleball Court locator.
Global Pickleball Network
Find pickleball courts anywhere in the world with this extensive location tool. Premium members (membership only costs $1/month) can also view player statistics, satellite images of pickleball courts, and meet other pickleball players.
Pickleball Rush
Another pickleball court locator.
How to Get Social with Pickleball in Northern Virginia
Because pickleballers tend to be older, they tend to hang out online on Facebook. Join a Facebook group or find events on Meetup to find partners, places to play, and all other types of information needed for a beginner pickleballer.
Pickleball Friends of Arlington, Virginia
Arlington Pickleball Club
Alexandria Pickleball Group
Pickleball in Alexandria
Vienna Pickleball Club
Burke Centre Pickleball Association
Loudoun West Pickleball
Prince William Pickleball Club
Pickleballerz Events Group
Woodbridge VA Pickleball Community
Fredericksburg Pickleball
Stafford, Fredericksburg Spotsylvania Pickleball Club
Global Pickleball Network
Find pickleball partners by using the finder in this app. You can also create a ladder league, a team league, or create or join a tournament.
Where to Compete in Pickleball
So you’ve gotten really into pickleball and want to join a tournament.
Fairfax Pickleball Classic
Fairfax, November
USA Pickleball
This is the national governing body for the sport of Pickleball.
Pickleball Tournaments.com
While this is technically the website for pickleball tournament management, it does provide a calendar of upcoming pickleball tournaments around the country.
Pickleball Advocacy in Northern Virginia
Spread the message of Pickleball by joining a Pickleball club or advocacy group.
FCPA Pickelball Survey
Give your opinion on how Fairfax County provides for the emerging needs of Pickleball.
Conclusion - Intro to Pickleball in Northern Virginia
With the summer heat, who wants to play tennis? Instead join one of the fastest growing sports in the area and play pickleball.
