Pickleball in Seattle Southside

Hit the Court! Pickleball in Seattle Southside

Even if you don't know your dinks from your volleys, pickleball is a ton of fun for everyone.

When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest ten years ago, I’d never heard of pickleball before. I was surprised by this strange marriage of badminton, tennis, and ping pong, but the game that was once a novelty now feels like it’s everywhere. Pickleball was invented on nearby Bainbridge Island in 1965 and has turned into something of a global phenomenon. Here in Washington, not only is pickleball the official state sport, there’s even a bill in the works to have custom pickleball license plates made available. Seattle Southside has a particular tie to the sport - the first official Pickleball tournament ever held took place in 1976, held at the South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, and while the site may no longer be a place you can visit, the spirit of Pickleball abounds in Seattle Southside’s passion for the sport.

Organized League Play and Tournaments

Outdoor Courts

Indoor Courts

Organized League Play and Tournaments

The Westside Pickleball League plays out of SeaTac and Tukwila, organized as a ladder league divided by skill level. You don’t need a partner to register, as one will be found for you, and everyone is scored individually. Seasons last eight weeks and games take place in the evenings, making this an ideal league for blowing off steam after a work day. During the summer months, Tukwila hosts Pickleball in the Park events at rotating park venues to teach newcomers to the sport how to play and to show off the game in tournaments.

Outdoor Courts

Des Moines Field House Park

Not only does the Field House Park offer two public outdoor courts that can be used as tennis or pickleball courts, but the area is beautiful to boot. Enjoy gorgeous views before or after your game. Use of the courts is free.

McMicken Heights Park

Get your game on at a dedicated pickleball court, free for use to the public from dawn until dusk. No more fighting a tennis player with your paddle to get a game in!

Crystal Springs Park

This park has a tennis court that is also lined for pickleball. You’ll need to lower the net, but aside from that you’re free and clear to paddle on!

Tukwila Park

Tukwila Park has two tennis courts, each one of them lined for pickleball using the tennis net. Free and available on a first come first served basis.

Joseph Foster Memorial Park

This park has one dedicated pickleball court which shares pavement with the basketball court, and you may need to argue with a tennis player over which sport it’s intended for (it’s totally pickleball).

Indoor Courts

SeaTac Community Center

Drop-In Pickleball is available six days a week for only $3 per person! This indoor gymnasium has room for four courts and even offers Friday Night Pickleball. Check out their current gym schedule on the City of SeaTac’s website.

Tukwila Community Center

Drop-In pickleball is currently available three days a week and costs $5 per person or free with a membership. Availability changes based on the season, so be sure to check the Tukwila Parks and Recreation page for details. Players note that there is a lot of room all around each court, making it easy to maneuver.