The short answer: The Picklr plans to open 20 indoor pickleball facilities across Japan over the next five years through a Master Franchise Agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings, announced on 22 May 2025. American racket sports brand DIADEM is also entering the country with a new facility in Kobe, giving Japanese players more access to indoor courts and structured play.
What’s the score?
The Picklr, claiming the title of the world’s largest indoor pickleball franchise, is launching a significant international expansion targeting Japan. The company has announced ambitious plans to roll out 20 new indoor pickleball facilities across Japan over the next five years. This large-scale market entry is being executed through a Master Franchise Agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd., which is described as Japan’s leading pickleball company. Adding to the picture of international growth in Japan, American racket sports brand DIADEM has also announced a full-scale entry into the country, opening a new pickleball facility in Kobe. These combined efforts highlight Japan’s emergence as a key territory in pickleball’s global spread.
Hit it deeper! The Picklr, a major player in the indoor pickleball space, is making a significant push into the Japanese market. Plans were officially announced on Thursday, May 22, 2025, revealing the intention to establish 20 facilities throughout Japan within the next five years. This strategic international move was made possible through a Master Franchise Agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd., recognised as Japan’s leading pickleball company.
The initial phase of this expansion will see a facility open in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Following this, The Picklr has identified a number of other prefectures and cities as potential sites for future development, including Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Okinawa. The planned locations for these facilities are diverse, encompassing retail, office, light-industrial, and purpose-built buildings.
Jorge Barragan, CEO of The Picklr, commented on the strategic importance of this expansion. He stated that Japan is a country known for its focus on precision, wellness, and community – values that align with “The Picklr DNA”. Barragan views the entry into Japan as more than a new market; he sees it as a crucial opportunity to help shape the trajectory of pickleball on a global scale. He specifically highlighted Japan as a “launchpad for how The Picklr can lead the charge in Asia,” mirroring their established position in the U.S.. The goal, he emphasised, is to cultivate a “culture” around pickleball, rather than only provide courts, believing this approach will resonate deeply within Japan.
To ensure a consistent experience for players in Japan, all The Picklr clubs will adhere to the same aesthetic standards, offer similar amenities, follow standardized programming, and provide the same membership offerings as their facilities in the United States and Canada. The Picklr has already achieved substantial growth, having sold over 500 locations globally, with plans to open more than 80 by the end of 2025. The source notes that pickleball is gaining popularity in Japan, making the timing of this expansion “perfect sense”.
Further underscoring the international interest in the Japanese pickleball market, American racket sports brand DIADEM has also declared a full-scale entry into Japan. As part of this initiative, DIADEM is establishing a new pickleball facility in Kobe. This facility will be integrated into a renovated complex previously known as ITC Kobe Indoor, which is being rebranded as DIADEM PICKLEBALL KOBE. The complex is described as a tennis + pickleball complex, indicating the blending of racket sports facilities in this location.
The World Pickleball verdict
The Picklr’s plan for 20 facilities with Nippon Pickleball Holdings, alongside DIADEM’s new site in Kobe, shows US-based pickleball companies pursuing a physical presence in Japan. For Japanese players, that should mean more access to indoor courts and more structured playing and coaching opportunities.
