The world’s largest indoor pickleball franchise - The Picklr - is set to expand its base to Japan, creating infrastructure for the sport and more business opportunities for itself. The franchise will install 20 pickleball facilities across the country. The new facilities will be completed over the next five years.

According to Pickleball.com, the first Picklr facility will be based in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The franchise also plans to lay out courts in locations like Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Okinawa.

The facilities will operate as retail courts, offering access to those interested in playing at a price yet to be decided. The facilities will also accommodate office, light-industrial, and purpose-built spaces.

Apart from court reservations, the facilities will host clinics, leagues, tournaments, and private events. The business is run on a membership model, with most clubs averaging between 500 and 700 members, The Picklr said.

The Picklr’s pursuit to expand its facilities outside the United States, where it is headquartered in Utah, took shape after the franchise signed a Master Franchise Agreement with Japan’s leading pickleball company, Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd.

“Japan is known for valuing precision, wellness and community — all things built into The Picklr DNA. Expansion into this market allows us a chance to help shape what pickleball looks like on a global stage,” said The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan. “For us, Japan is more than a market — it’s a launchpad for how The Picklr can lead the charge in Asia, just like we’ve done in the US. We’re not just creating courts; we’re creating a culture. And we believe that culture will resonate in Japan.”

The Picklr currently operates in 40 locations in the United States and Canada. The facilities in Japan will have the same aesthetic, amenities, programming, and membership offerings as clubs in the United States and Canada. The Picklr has sold more than 500 locations globally, with plans for more than 80 to open by the end of 2025.

Pickleball has been witnessing significant international growth of late. Earlier this month, the United Pickleball Association (UPA) announced the much-anticipated PPA Tour Asia schedule for 2025. The tour will see Asia's biggest pickleball stars competing for glory.

The initial calendar will feature five tournaments in East Asian countries, with the opening event - Panas Kuala Lumpur Open - taking place in Malaysia from July 3 to 6. More tournaments for Asia will be announced later this year.

The PPA Tour Asia will then move to Hong Kong and Japan in August. While the Hong Kong Open will be held from August 21 to 24, the Sansan Fukuoka Open will take place from August 26 to 31. The season will resume in October after a one-month pause, culminating with the China Slam (October 1–5) and the Kuala Lumpur Cup (October 9–12).