Raleigh’s New Pickleball Paradise: Raleigh is set to become a major destination for racquet sports with the groundbreaking of Swing Racquet + Paddle, a 44-acre complex that promises to be the largest multi-racquet sports facility globally upon its completion in 2026. The event took place on August 14, with the facility located at 6121 M. Herman Road in the Brier Creek community.
Founded by Rob Autry and Jason DeGroff, Swing will feature an impressive array of amenities: 28 tennis courts, 25 pickleball courts, 15 padel courts, 10 ping pong tables, and four beach tennis and volleyball courts. The facility will also include a food and beverage experience curated by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.
“This facility will offer much-needed court inventory while becoming a vital community hub where deeper connections and unforgettable memories are made,” said Autry. Swing aims to deliver a “Sportstainment” experience, blending sports and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.
The project has received substantial backing, including a $10 million investment from the City of Raleigh, with expectations of generating $360 million in economic impact within its first three years and attracting over one million visitors annually. The facility is projected to create around 300 jobs.
“We are excited to see the huge impact Swing creates in terms of jobs, tourism, and special events that will bring amateurs and professionals to our region for competition,” Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin stated. The city’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion is reflected in this partnership.
Wilson Sporting Goods has been announced as a leading sponsor. The partnership will include a Wilson stringing bar for tennis racquets and make Swing a testing ground for Wilson’s latest technology-driven consumer experiences. Wilson will also establish a satellite hub of Wilson Labs at the facility.
“Wilson is excited to embark on this unique partnership with Swing. It’s unlike any kind of experience that athletes will ever have with the Wilson brand.” – (Joe Dudy, president and CEO of Wilson)
The facility will be divided into three neighborhoods tennis, pickleball, and padel. Padel, which combines elements of squash and tennis, will feature a mixture of covered and outdoor courts. Specifics include 10 outdoor red clay tennis courts, six outdoor hard courts, six indoor hard courts, and six covered clay courts. The pickleball area will have 17 outdoor courts and eight additional air-conditioned courts. Padel courts will consist of two covered and 13 outdoor courts.
Swing has partnered with the Good to Great Tennis Academy to enhance the teaching aspect of the facility. Environmental sustainability is a key focus, with the design incorporating a French heavy timber membrane structure for open-air movement and shading. The complex will also feature a grand lawn, an amphitheater, hiking trails, and connections to existing greenways.
“The design is intended to be completely present in and native to the region,” said JJ Kazynski, Swing’s director of design. The facility’s grand opening is highly anticipated, promising a transformative impact on the local sports and recreation landscape.
News in Brief: Raleigh’s New Pickleball Paradise
Raleigh will soon host Swing Racquet + Paddle, a groundbreaking 44-acre multi-racquet sports complex set to become the largest globally by 2026. Located at 6121 M. Herman Road in Brier Creek, the facility will feature 28 tennis courts, 25 pickleball courts, 15 padel courts, 10 ping pong tables, and more, along with a food experience by chef Fabio Viviani.
Backed by a $10 million investment from the City of Raleigh, it is expected to generate $360 million in economic impact and create 300 jobs. Wilson Sporting Goods is a leading sponsor, and environmental sustainability is a key design focus.
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