In case you missed it, pickleball is big news in Texas. Rockwall hosted a televised tournament this summer and the national championships, scheduled for November, are now located in Farmers Branch. You can even rent people's private pickleball courts by the hour.
If you have yet to get on the court — or are looking for a spot to share your obsession with friends on a night out — here's a quick list of places to play in Dallas-Fort Worth:
Food and fun
Chicken N Pickle
Really amp up the social aspect of the sport with this hybrid, a chef-driven restaurant, multiple bars, lawn games, and several courts. Grapevine and Grand Prairie already have locations, with one planned for Allen next fall.
Courtside Kitchen
The first in Fort Worth, its motto is "carpe drink 'em." You can purchase a membership for priority court booking, or just kick back with some apps and watch others at play — especially during happy hour.
Fieldhouse USA
Find a little bit of everything here indoors in Frisco, including open play pickleball Monday through Friday with a $5 pass.
At Fault
Technically it doesn't open until the spring, but make a mental note now for this "elevated" indoor-outdoor facility that will boast 40,000 square feet of entertainment space.
Just here for the sport
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas
Indoor and outdoor courts are available for both members and non-members of this JCC, which also has lessons and clinics. It's bring-your-own-gear, as a heads up.
Cole Park
A little Uptown gem of a park, it has converted some tennis courts into six pickleball courts (that are also lit for night play). You can't reserve the courts, so either get there early or be prepared to wait.
Fretz Tennis Center
Three outdoors courts feature open play Tuesday through Friday, with games on Saturday. Reservations are $5 per person for 90 minutes. The Dallas Pickleball Club also plays games here, if you're looking to join a league.
LB Houston Tennis Center
Another facility where reservations are $5 per person for 90 minutes, but it also offers an unlimited monthly membership and several leagues you can join.
McLeland Tennis Center
Don't let the name fool you — there are two dedicated pickleball courts and four hybrid courts at this Fort Worth faciity, plus free entry-level paddles and only $3 for professional demo paddles.
Oasis Pickleball Club
With 42 outdoor courts, eight covered courts, and two championship courts, it's no wonder this Rockwall club hosts lots of pickleball tournaments.
Samuell Grand Tennis Center
Clinics and open play abound on these four outdoor courts near White Rock Lake, and a family of four can purchase an unlimited multi-club membership for only $36 a month.
The Courts of McKinney
Monday through Wednesday, anyone — both members and non-members — can play pickleball on the six painted courts and also take advantage of onsite instructors during open play.
Tower Club
This may be a private, members-only club located on the 48th floor of the 50-story Santander Tower in downtown, but non-members can rent courts by the hour on "the highest pickleball court in the world." A nice bonus is that part of the rental proceeds benefit Bonton Farms, which is committed to combating the effects of poverty in South Dallas.
Don't forget to check your local recreation center website — chances are your area has pickleball courts now!