The Picklr will open indoor pickleball clubs across Australia and New Zealand, starting with a Sydney location, as the Drew Brees-backed franchise accelerates global growth
The Picklr is expanding its international footprint, announcing plans to open 50 indoor pickleball clubs across Australia and New Zealand in a new master franchise deal.
The Utah-based pickleball franchise will launch its first Australian location in Sydney. The expansion is being led by TPM Partners, founded by Robert Pistilli, Anthony Liveris and Brett Clark, who will oversee the development of 44 clubs in Australia and six in New Zealand over the next several years.
“Australia and New Zealand have been on our radar since we began thinking about international expansion,” The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan said, adding that pickleball has become a global movement.
“Both Australia and New Zealand are rapidly growing their pickleball communities, with new clubs, courts and players joining the game every day,” Barragan said. “These are markets that understand the power of sport to build connection and community. With TPM Partners leading the charge locally, we’re confident we can deliver the same premium Picklr experience that’s been fueling our momentum across North America.”
The new facilities will replicate the design and amenities found in the company’s U.S. pickleball clubs and will be located near high-density residential areas.
“Originally from the U.S., I witnessed first-hand the explosive growth of pickleball in America as the sport surpassed both golf and tennis in terms of participants in a very short period of time,” TPM Partners CEO Robert Pistilli said. “The Picklr is by far the industry leader in the indoor premium facility space, performing leaps and bounds ahead of its peers due to its best-in-class facilities, leading AI technology, and unique pure-play business model. I am excited to partner with Jorge and his team to bring The Picklr and the world’s fastest-growing sport Down Under.”
The move follows The Picklr’s recent entries into Japan and Canada, part of a broader international push that will bring more than 500 locations worldwide in the coming years. Last year, The Picklr closed a Series B funding round with a $59 million valuation and recently named Abby Olson, a seasoned multi-unit franchise operator, as chief operating officer.
