In the Riverwalk development district near Scottsdale, Arizona, a building permit has been officially granted for the world's largest indoor pickleball and padel facility, "PURE Pickleball & Padel." With a gross floor area of 196,000 square feet (about 18,200 square meters) on an 11.44-acre site, it will feature 48 courts, a 1,200-seat championship arena, 8 padel courts, and a rooftop bar. It's also planned to be the relocation destination of USA Pickleball's headquarters and will function as the home court of the MLP Phoenix Flames.
The overall picture of the facility — 48 courts + padel + arena
PURE Pickleball & Padel is anchored by 40 tournament-size courts dedicated to pickleball (cushioned material + pro-level lighting). Added to this are a championship arena with 1,200 seats of spectator seating and 8 padel courts. Outdoors, 12 temporary courts and a 5,000-seat provisional stadium can be added, expandable to a maximum of 60 courts for nationwide events.
The ancillary facilities beyond the courts are also well-appointed. A restaurant & bar by Wolfgang Puck, a rooftop patio & bar, a pro shop, and a sports performance & recovery center operated by HonorHealth are scheduled to be tenants.
Background — after a 900-day permitting process
The building permit application was submitted in September 2025, completing a permitting process spanning about 900 days. Development is handled by the real estate private equity firm Caliber Co., along with PURE co-founders Kevin J. Berk (former founder and president of AZ On The Rocks) and Brett Warner (a five-time U.S. national pickleball champion). The facility design is handled by the DAVIS architecture firm.
The location is within the Riverwalk development district on the east side of Loop 101, between Topgolf Scottsdale and OdySea Aquarium, under the jurisdiction of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (an Indigenous self-governing area). It's designated a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ), and a QOZ fund for accredited investors has also been established.
Facility specs list
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross floor area | 196,000 square feet (about 18,200 m2) |
| Site area | 11.44 acres |
| Indoor pickleball courts | 40 (tournament-size, cushioned material) |
| Indoor padel courts | 8 courts |
| Championship arena | 1,200 seats |
| With outdoor expansion | Up to 60 courts + a 5,000-seat provisional stadium |
| Dining | Wolfgang Puck restaurant & bar, rooftop bar |
| Recovery | HonorHealth center (cold plunge, infrared sauna, jacuzzi) |
| Scheduled opening | 2027 |
USA Pickleball HQ relocation and the MLP Phoenix Flames
The facility's biggest talking point is the plan for USA Pickleball, the U.S. governing body for pickleball, to relocate its headquarters inside PURE. By integrating the governing body's HQ with a top-tier competition facility, it becomes a hub for rulemaking, player development, and tournament operations.
Furthermore, it will function as the home court of the MLP's Arizona team, the "Phoenix Flames."The MLP 2026 seasonWith the launch under a 20-team format, teams with a dedicated home arena are still few, which will translate into a competitive advantage for the Phoenix Flames.
Reactions from industry insiders and locals
Co-founder Kevin J. Berk says that, drawing on his experience operating sports and entertainment facilities in the Scottsdale area, he aims for not merely a court facility but a "community hub." Brett Warner reflected a player's perspective as a five-time U.S. champion in the facility design.
From the real estate industry comes the assessment that it will contribute to raising the value of the entire Riverwalk development district. As an attraction facility alongside Topgolf and OdySea Aquarium, a positive effect on the region's tourism and leisure industry is anticipated.
On the other hand, there are voices pointing to the risk that pickleball market growth could slow by the 2027 opening.The slowdown in court growth rate reported by AxiosGiven the data, the recouping scenario for a large-scale investment needs to be viewed cautiously.
Impact on Japanese players
PURE Pickleball & Padel will become a new destination for pickleball tourism in the U.S. A complex with 48 indoor courts, Wolfgang Puck dining, and spa facilities is attractive for traveling players from overseas too.
In Japan as well, expanding pickleball facilities is a challenge amid court shortages and noise problems. PURE's composite model of "courts + entertainment + recovery" is a design philosophy that can serve as a reference for Japanese facility plans too.
Ripple effects on the facility business — an era when courts alone don't earn
PURE's business model aims for a diversified revenue structure that doesn't depend on court rental income alone. A Wolfgang Puck restaurant, the HonorHealth recovery center, a pro shop, a youth academy, and ticket revenue from MLP matches — these composite revenues support the facility's profitability.
Apollo's $225 million investmentand the MLP's expansion show that the pickleball industry is evolving from a "place to play" to a "place for experiences." PURE will be a facility at that front line.
Summary — toward a 2027 opening
PURE Pickleball & Padel aims to open in 2027 as the world's largest indoor pickleball facility at 196,000 square feet. With USA Pickleball's HQ relocation, becoming the MLP Phoenix Flames' home, and an attached Wolfgang Puck restaurant, it proclaims itself a "holy land of pickleball" beyond a mere court facility. With the building permit obtained, the plan has entered a concrete phase. We'll follow future progress on whether Scottsdale becomes a global center of pickleball.
