Philadelphia’s Pickleball Hub: A new sports and social facility called Ballers will open in July inside the historic Turbine Hall at the Battery, located at 1325 North Beach Street in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The 55,000-square-foot venue will offer pickleball, golf, padel, squash, and more.
The complex is the first of several planned by Ballers, a new brand created by Good City Studio. This location will be followed by openings in Boston in August and Miami in early 2026. Ballers wants to bring sports like pickleball and golf—often found at country clubs—into city settings.
A New Home for Urban Racquet Sports
Ballers will have six pickleball courts, four Golfzon golf simulators, three padel courts, and two squash courts. It will also feature a long turf area, a putting green with sand bunkers, and a full gym with bikes, rowing machines, and weights. The project is led by David Gutstadt, co-founder and CEO of Ballers. He said,
“Having played tennis in college, racquet sports have always been a passion of mine. So when we saw the opportunity to marry the powerful trend and innovations in urban social sports including pickleball, padel and golf with our unique expertise in design and community-building, we went all in on Ballers.” – (David Gutstadt)
Backed by Big Names and a Popular Pop-Up
Ballers is supported by major investors like tennis star Andre Agassi, professional player Sloane Stephens, and sports executive David Blitzer. Last summer, Ballers tested the idea with a pop-up pickleball setup at the same location in Philadelphia. David Gutstadt explained the positive response by saying,
“The incredible response to our Philadelphia pop-up last year showed us that people are craving this connection through sports, and we’re excited to show that when paired with unparalleled hospitality, athletics can go beyond just leagues, lessons or court time.” – (David Gutstadt)
More Than Just Sports
Ballers will also have a food and event scene. Chef Mitch Prensky, known for South Street’s Supper restaurant, will lead a ground-floor sports bar and grill. Another bar will be on the second floor. The space will host live music, athlete meet-ups, and other events. Courts can be converted for private parties.
While anyone can attend events or book courts, some areas are for members only. These include the gym, locker rooms, and a wellness area with massage chairs, cold plunges, and a sauna. Membership starts at $99 a month. Higher levels offer extras like parking, guest passes, and discounts.
Building a New Kind of Sports Community
Ballers plans to change how people in cities experience sports. By combining games with food, music, and relaxation, the goal is to make these activities more social and welcoming. The project brings new life to an old Philadelphia power station while offering fun for everyone.
News in Brief: Philadelphia’s Pickleball Hub
Ballers, a new sports and social complex, will open in July in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood. The 55,000-square-foot site offers pickleball, golf, padel, squash, a gym, and event spaces. Created by Good City Studio, Ballers aims to bring racquet sports and social fun into city life.
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