Tempe Doubles Pickleball Courts to 16 at Sports Complex This April

When Tempe Sports Complex opened its pickleball courts in 2019, they made history as the first ADA-accessible pickleball courts in Arizona. Seven years later, the city has decided eight isn't enough.

Tempe announced Sunday that it will double capacity at the complex from eight to 16 courts, with a free ribbon-cutting ceremony and live demonstrations set for Friday, April 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The courts are closed from April 6 through April 24 for resurfacing and construction work, with public play resuming the evening of the grand opening.

The expansion is funded through Tempe's Parks Capital Improvement Program, a five-year, $60 million-plus investment in the city's parks system. The new courts aren't simply adding square footage: summer hours will run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, giving players an 18-hour window that accommodates early-morning regulars, lunch-break pickup games, and evening leagues alike.

The city tied the expansion directly to community feedback gathered during its Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, which identified the need for additional courts. Tempe's invitation for residents to "grab your paddle" and help break in the new courts captures the spirit: this is a municipal amenity built on demonstrated demand.

The practical shift for local organizers is significant. Eight courts cap what is possible, a small round robin, a couple of drill stations, a clinic with limited enrollment. Sixteen courts open the door to mid-sized amateur tournaments and more consistent league scheduling without the cost or availability constraints of private club space. All courts will remain free and open on a first-come, first-served basis outside scheduled classes, keeping access equitable regardless of skill level or budget.

The original courts' ADA-accessible design was a point of pride when they debuted, and that commitment carries forward into the expanded facility. For a sport that has consistently grown faster than most cities could plan for, Tempe's investment is infrastructure finally catching up to the people already on the courts.