CityPickle, co-founded by friends Mary Cannon and Erica Desai in 2021, has transformed their passion for racket sports into a significant enterprise, recently opening New York's largest pickleball club in Times Square. This 37,000-square-foot flagship, located on the eighth floor of the historic Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, is CityPickle's first year-round Manhattan location and features a full-service bar and restaurant, along with seven indoor courts. The Times Square venue also serves as the company's corporate headquarters, demonstrating their commitment to scaling the business.
The company has experienced rapid expansion since its inception, including opening New York's first indoor pickleball club in Long Island City in 2023. Further growth is planned with a 60,000-square-foot Brooklyn Bridge outpost in Dumbo and the "Boca Paddle by CityPickle" complex in Florida later this year. CityPickle also operates seasonal locations, such as at Hudson Yards and a 20-year agreement for nearly year-round operation at Wollman Rink in Central Park during non-ice skating seasons. Beyond New York, they have a seasonal presence in Philadelphia and are eyeing future expansion into cities like Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, and London.
CityPickle has secured substantial financial backing, including $10.4 million in total funding, with a venture round in June 2024 led by Avenue Capital Group. The company, which had an annual revenue of $3.2 million and employed 39 people as of a recent report, is capitalizing on the massive demand for pickleball. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association's 2026 report indicated 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025, marking a 22.8% single-year increase and a 171.8% three-year growth, making it the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for five consecutive years. Founders note a significant supply-and-demand imbalance, indicating continued opportunity for growth.
