Staying Fit: Pickleball fever catches Noida

HB Team

Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, is steadily gaining popularity in Noida, attracting fitness enthusiasts, professionals, families, and, most so, the senior citizens. Known for its simple rules, social nature, and suitability for all age groups, the sport has found a strong foothold across several well-equipped venues in the city.

In the last few years, pickleball courts have mushroomed all over Noida. Today, the courts are available in at least seven venues around the city. “I heard about the game two years back, and I liked it so much that I started playing,” says Vicky, who travels from Laxmi Nagar to Noida every Sunday to play the game in Downtown Pickleball, Sector 37. “This court has a great vibe,” he says.

Pickleball Courts in Noida

PlayAll Sports Complex: PlayAll in Sector 73, Noida and another in Gaur City 1, Greater Noida West are major pickleball hubs of the area with high-quality multiple courts. With other amenities like showers and sports shops, pickleball is known for its vibrant atmosphere, parking facilities and clean atmosphere. These stadiums were established in 2017.

District 9 (Sector 33A): It is NCR's first glow pickleball court with 24/7 access and food trucks. You can find courts, coaching, and community via platforms like Huddle, with options for all skill levels. It was inaugurated in May 2025 and has six pickleball courts.

Downtown Pickleball: It has two venues: one in Sector 37 (Amar Public School) and another is in Noida Sector 19 (Marigold Public School). Both the stadiums have four pickleball courts each.

PlayAll MPS Noida 11: It is a multi-sport facility located at Modern Public School in Sector 11, Noida. Primarily serving as a hub for badminton and pickleball enthusiasts, it has both training academies and casual "pay-and-play" options. It has three outdoor pickleball courts. The stadium was established in 2023.

PlayAll Noida 105: It is a premium sports complex located at Fortune World School in Block B, Sector 105, Noida. It was established around 2019 and has three outdoor pickleball courts. It also has facilities for cricket and badminton.

PlayAll SWS Greater Noida: Located at Sanfort World School (SWS), PlayAll is one of the best pickleball arenas in Greater Noida. It has good amenities like ample parking space, showers, and a sports shop. It has four pickleball courts.

Pickle Play Noida 121: Pickle Play in Noida 121 is the largest indoor Pickleball arena located in Sector 121. It has 3 large indoor pickleball courts.

Origin of Pickleball: The Stories Behind

In 1965, US Congressman Joel Pritchard and his businessman friend Bill Bell were looking for a game that their families could enjoy together while vacationing on Bainbridge Island. Without any planning in mind, they gathered whatever sports equipment was available: ping-pong paddles, a badminton net, an asphalt court, and a plastic wiffle ball.

In between the games, their pet dog, Pickles, kept running away with the ball, and it came to be known as “Pickle’s ball” and later “Pickleball”.

Initially, the families played the game much like badminton, keeping the net set high. It didn’t take long for them to realise that lowering the net and allowing the ball to bounce would make the game more enjoyable.

None of them then imagined that this would grow beyond their small circle, and now this game is a globally popular sport.

Another story says Pickleball was derived from the term “pickle boat”, a boat manned by substitute members of competing teams.  

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