For the last 2+ years, we’ve been proving that autonomous experiences aren’t just a cost-saving hack for pickleball operators–they’re a category shift. When you cut labor costs by 44–83%, you don’t just run leaner. You unlock entirely new business models.

But there’s been a stubborn barrier.

Autonomy has flourished indoors, where we can control for weather, heat, and access. Outdoors–the largest segment of pickleball play [1]–remained unsolved. The result: operators were forced to choose between the flexibility of outdoor courts and the efficiency of automation. Until now.

The Problem: Rent and Labor

If you talk to any pickleball operator, the story is the same: rent and labor eat margins alive.

• Rent: Indoor real estate is the single biggest cost for operators. In urban markets, commercial rents can run $25–$40 per square foot annually, while our conversations with operators indicate that outdoor ground leases or land-use costs can be as low as $3–$12 per square foot. That’s a 2-10x difference. [2]
• Labor: Staffing check-in desks and monitoring access–these costs scale linearly while the business model doesn’t.

Indoor autonomy solved one half of the problem, allowing operators to redirect labor to higher value initiatives. Outdoor autonomy–done right–changes the game entirely.

The Solution: PICKLETILE x PodPlay

Together with PICKLETILE, The Official Court Builder of USA Pickleball, we’ve built a system that makes fully autonomous outdoor pickleball not only possible, but premium.

• PICKLEGLASS™-Enclosed Courts with integrated smart door access control.
• Custom-designed kiosks powered by PodPlay that house iPads and monitors, engineered to withstand heat, rain, and cold while looking as sleek as any Apple Store display.
• Beautiful, functional infrastructure that protects technology, enhances the player experience with PodPlay’s signature replay and scoreboard features, and enabled 24/7 monitoring.

This isn’t a compromise–it’s a category-defining product.

Who We Are

PodPlay

PodPlay is the market leader in autonomous pickleball technology. PodPlay powers venues across the U.S. to operate with fewer staff, smoother operations, and better player experiences. Our platform has reduced operator labor costs by up to 83%, enabling entrepreneurs to launch viable pickleball businesses in places where traditional models failed. (Read more in the press)

PICKLETILE™

PICKLETILE™ has redefined what premium outdoor pickleball looks like. From their signature USA Pickleball-approved PICKLEGLASS™ sound-mitigated courts to integrated outdoor lighting,  access control, and supporting infrastructure, PICKLETILE™ has become the standard-bearer for high-quality, community-enhancing outdoor pickleball facilities. Trusted by municipalities, developers, and private operators, PICKLETILE™ brings design excellence and engineering rigor to every project. (Explore Pickletile)

A Shared Vision

One of the greatest joys of this project has been working alongside Scott Miller and Steven Blustein. They share our belief that pickleball infrastructure should not be “good enough.” It should be category-defining. Premium. Elevated.

From the first conversation, it was clear we were aligned: build solutions that are not just functional, but beautiful; not just effective, but transformational. At PodPlay, we take inspiration from companies where taste is a strategic differentiator and a moat, not just a layer of polish, and PICKLETILE™ is a fabulous example. Scott and Steven are visionaries in every sense, and collaborating with them has been an energizing reminder of what’s possible when leaders share a common ambition–to extend and elevate the game itself.

Why It Matters: Unlocking Entirely New Use Cases

This partnership doesn’t just optimize economics. It opens entirely new categories of pickleball business and lifestyle experiences:

Repurposing Unused or Underutilized Space

Autonomous outdoor courts can be deployed where indoor buildouts are impossible:

• Urban rooftops that sit idle after construction
• Vacant parking lots that can be converted into sound-mitigated courts
• University or corporate campuses where space exists but staffing is limited

A Premium Amenity for Residential Communities

Developers and HOAs can now offer residents secure, sound-mitigated, autonomous, bookable pickleball courts without adding headcount or 24/7 staff. Think of it as the modern evolution of the gym or pool: a must-have amenity for communities competing to attract and retain residents.

Extension of Existing Premium Offerings

Country clubs, fitness centers, and resorts can extend their value proposition with after-hours, premium, staff-free play. Members get more access; operators gain more revenue without additional labor.

The Bottom Line

The future of pickleball doesn’t look like yesterday’s tennis club. It looks like autonomous, beautifully designed, indoor-and-outdoor venues that can thrive where traditional economics fail.

That’s what PICKLETILE™ x PodPlay delivers.

If you want to build the future with us, request a demo. 

Footnotes

[1] According to Pickleheads, as of October 2025, there were 79,649 pickleball courts in the US, with 52,805 of those outdoors.
[2] According to JLL, average asking office rents nationally hover around $39–$45 per square foot, with prime new builds pushing toward $90+ in key markets. Retail spaces average $18–$19 per square foot, based on CBRE and Crexi data.  In contrast, high-street districts in New York, Boston, D.C., and San Francisco rival top-tier rents—$28–$91 per square foot–reflecting extremely competitive retail corridors.