St. Pete Athletic opens 14‑court pickleball and social club

St. Pete Athletic officially opened to the public on January 16, 2026, delivering a major new destination for pickleball players and social activity on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The 50,000 square foot "Paddle & Social" club combines court capacity with hospitality and wellness spaces, aiming to be both a high-performance play venue and a neighborhood hangout.

At launch eight of the facility’s 14 dedicated pickleball courts were playable, with six additional courts scheduled to come online in February. The complex also includes two padel courts, six table tennis courts, a restaurant, three bars, a full gym, a sauna, cold plunge and a fitness studio. Managers staged a ribbon-cutting weekend that featured a tournament, clinics and wellness programming to introduce the space to players and local residents.

Founder Reuben Pressman worked with several local hospitality partners to shape the club as a community hub where competitive play and casual social time coexist. Memberships have sold strongly since soft opening, but the facility remains open for drop-in play and public events, giving flexible options for players who don’t want to commit immediately. Programming will expand as the remaining courts become available, with more clinics, leagues and events planned for the spring calendar.

Practical visitor information is straightforward. St. Pete Athletic is located at 680 28th St. S in St. Petersburg and will be open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight. Players can expect to find a mix of reserved court time, walk-up drop-ins and organized programming; the club’s hospitality spaces are designed to support watchable play, social gatherings and post-match recovery in the wellness areas.

For local players, the arrival of this multi-discipline facility eases pressure on public courts and private clubs by adding significant new capacity in a single location. The inclusion of padel and table tennis gives cross-training and social options for groups who want mixed-activity meetups, while the restaurant and bars make it easier to turn a quick game into a longer community session. Competitive players will appreciate the extra courts coming online in February for league play and tournaments; social players and newcomers benefit from clinics and drop-in accessibility.

Expect the calendar to fill quickly as the club ramps up programming and opens its remaining courts. Whether you’re chasing kitchen time, looking for a post‑game cold plunge, or organizing a mixed-sport night out, St. Pete Athletic just added a big new option for play and community on the Gulf Coast.