Top Pickleball Side Hustles: How to Turn Your Passion into Profit
Pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s an income opportunity waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a competitive player, coach, or simply a die-hard fan, there are plenty of ways to make money in pickleball without going fully pro.
With the sport’s explosive growth (over 36.5 million players in the U.S.), businesses, brands, and entrepreneurs are investing heavily in pickleball. This means more opportunities to turn your love for the game into real income. From coaching and social media content to organizing tournaments and selling gear, there are countless ways to create a profitable side hustle in pickleball.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
The best pickleball side hustles that actually make money
How much you can earn from each side hustle
Step-by-step tips to get started
How to grow your pickleball income into a full-time business
If you love pickleball and want to make money doing what you enjoy, this is for you!
Become a Pickleball Coach or Instructor
Why It Works:
With pickleball’s growth, more people than ever are looking for coaching. Beginners want to learn the game, and competitive players want to level up. If you have strong skills and experience, coaching can be a highly profitable side hustle.
How Much You Can Make:
$50 - $150 per hour for private lessons
$500 - $3,000 per weekend for group clinics
$2,000+ per month if you teach regularly
How to Get Started:
Get certified as a pickleball coach through organizations like the PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) or IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association).
Offer lessons at local courts, clubs, and community centers.
Advertise your services on social media, flyers, and pickleball Facebook groups.
Pro Tip: Start by offering free lessons to build a reputation, then transition into paid coaching.
Start a Pickleball YouTube or TikTok Channel
Why It Works:
People LOVE watching pickleball tips, match highlights, and gear reviews. Social media is a massive opportunity to build a personal brand and monetize content.
How Much You Can Make:
$500 - $10,000 per month from YouTube ad revenue (once monetized)
$100 - $5,000 per sponsored post on Instagram or TikTok
Affiliate commissions from paddle & gear sales
How to Get Started:
Post tutorials, match breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes content.
Use trending hashtags like #PickleballTips, #PickleballLife, and #PickleballPro.
Once you gain 1,000+ YouTube subscribers, apply for YouTube monetization.
Pro Tip: Brands love influencers with an engaged audience, even if you don’t have a huge following.
Sell Pickleball Gear & Apparel
Why It Works:
The demand for pickleball paddles, apparel, and accessories is skyrocketing. Selling gear through an online store, eBay, or social media can be a lucrative hustle.
How Much You Can Make:
$500 - $5,000+ per month from gear sales
30%+ profit margins on paddles and accessories
How to Get Started:
Sign up for pickleball brand affiliate programs (Selkirk, Joola, Paddletek).
Sell pickleball T-shirts, hats, and accessories through Etsy, Shopify, or Instagram.
Partner with local tournaments and clubs to sell gear on-site.
Pro Tip: If you create your own pickleball brand, you can increase profit margins by 50% or more.
Organize Pickleball Tournaments & Events
Why It Works:
As pickleball grows, more players want local tournaments and social events. If you have organizational skills, running events can be highly profitable.
How Much You Can Make:
$5,000 - $20,000+ per event (from entry fees & sponsorships)
50%+ profit margins if well-managed
How to Get Started:
Rent a local pickleball court or park for a weekend tournament.
Charge a $30 - $100 entry fee per player.
Get local businesses to sponsor the event for extra revenue.
Pro Tip: Use sites like PickleballBrackets.com or Smash.gg to manage tournament sign-ups.
Monetize Your Pickleball Social Media
Why It Works:
Even if you don’t have a huge following, you can get paid to post about pickleball. Brands pay influencers to promote paddles, shoes, and gear.
How Much You Can Make:
$100 - $5,000 per brand deal (depending on following size)
$1,000+ per month from affiliate links
$500 - $10,000 per month for content creators with a large audience
How to Get Started:
Grow your Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube by posting pickleball content.
Reach out to pickleball brands for sponsorship deals.
Join affiliate programs (Joola, Selkirk, Amazon) and share product links.
Pro Tip: Focus on engagement, not just follower count—brands love influencers with an active audience.
Become a Pickleball Referee
Why It Works:
Tournaments need certified referees, and demand is increasing with the sport’s growth.
How Much You Can Make:
$10 - $50 per match at local tournaments
$300 - $1,000+ per weekend at pro events
How to Get Started:
Take a pickleball referee certification course (USA Pickleball offers training).
Get experience by officiating local tournaments.
Apply to ref at larger regional and national events.
Pro Tip: Being a referee is a great way to network with pro players and sponsors.
Conclusion: How to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Full-Time Business
These side hustles can be extra income streams or even a full-time career if you scale them up. Here’s how:
Diversify: Combine multiple income streams (coaching, content, and sponsorships).
Invest in your brand: Build your social media presence and network.
Take action: Start small, gain experience, and scale your side hustle into a business.
Which pickleball side hustle are you most interested in? Drop a comment below!