Philly fans, there’s a new way to get sporty this summer—or rather, a few ways, with three new sports clubs opening up to offer different individual and community-based fun for all ages.
Ballers Philadelphia and VIVA Padel & Pickleball Club are set to start operations this season. Ballers has set its sight on a kick-off date this July with an outdoor pop-up set to begin Memorial Day Weekend, while VIVA will open with a members-only preview on Friday, June 6 (5 to 9 p.m.), and an opening to the general public on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Portres Sports Club is also a fresh option in the city, and it recently opened up for operations in the Fishtown/Northern Liberties area, but there’s more to be added on to the venue this summer.
Ballers Philadelphia
Beginning with Ballers (1325 N Beach St.), the brand is launching its third location in the City of Brotherly Love, with two previous ventures in Los Angeles and Boston. The layout is set to include 6 indoor courts and 2 outdoor seasonal courts for pickleball, 3 indoor courts and 1 outdoor seasonal court for padel ball, 4 simulators and short game practice for golf, 2 courts for squash, a 95 x 45 turf soccer field, a fitness center stocked with gym and recovery equipment, plus, a full service restaurant and bar.
Currently, their first-tier “In” membership is running for $108 per month with perks like access to facilities, discounts on private lockers and parking, and more. The “All In” ($203), on the other hand, offers access to facilities and other add-ons like 1 guest pass per month and 90 minutes of free parking each day. And lastly, the “Ball In” ($449) is their most involved membership, with access to all Ballers locations and global partner clubs, plus perks like 2 guest passes per month and 3 hours of free parking per day.
Locals can experience the brand’s offerings firsthand starting this weekend with a pickleball and padel pop-up. The outdoor occasion will be in full swing at the brand’s location (at The Battery in Fishtown). The pop-up will be open on weekdays from 3 to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Court prices can currently be booked on their website for $40-$100 per hour.
VIVA Padel & Pickleball Club
VIVA Padel & Pickleball Club (1300 N 8th St.) is another option opening up shop with outdoor courts in the city this summer.
“Our vision with VIVA is to create a welcoming space where people can connect through their love of padel and pickleball,” said Mehdi Rhazali, founder of VIVA, in a statement. “These sports are more than just games; they’re a way to build community, stay active, and have fun. We’re excited to bring this experience to Philadelphia and can’t wait to see players of all ages and levels enjoying our courts.”
VIVA’s 90,000-square-foot venue was once a train depot for SEPTA and a parking lot in the 2000s. Now, VIVA will feature four professional-grade padel courts and four pickleball courts to host a variety of leagues, tournaments, clinics, social events, full locker rooms, and amenities. The brand’s pro-shop is housed in a revamped 1968 Airstream Overlander 28, and will focus on high-quality gear and apparel for both padel and pickleball, while the social and viewing area will provide a welcoming space to “relax, watch matches, and connect with fellow players.”
VIVA offers a range of membership tiers: Options include Individual ($60 per month), Couples & Family ($105), Premium ($160), and Premium+ ($320) memberships. As a release notes, each tier provides different benefits, such as varying court rental fees, advanced booking privileges, and access to exclusive events. For a limited time, VIVA is also waiving the standard $240 initiation fee, allowing new members to join for $1 prior to the club’s official opening.
While membership comes with a variety of perks, non-members can also rent courts, starting at $25 per hour / per person as well. Additionally, VIVA’s private lessons for individuals and groups will also be open to non-members, as will clinics and open plays. The new brand is also rolling out a full calendar of events this month, beginning with a “Padel Experience Day.” Taking place June 7, the experience will feature a full slate of clinics and open play for all skill levels, followed by weekly leagues, beginner-friendly workshops, and social mixers.
Philadelphians can get a sneak peek of it all at the aforementioned Grand Opening Party weekend celebrations (June 7 and 8.) The occasion will feature food vendors, live music, open play, professional demonstrations, free parking and more.
Portres
And finally, Portres ( 901 N Front St.) is one sports club currently open in the area with premier pickleball, padel, and fitness facilities. What sets this location apart is also their cardio class that “uniquely” blends padel, pickleball, and Pilates into one session. The facility also houses an indoor and outdoor lounge, social activities and events, plus, grab-and-go coffee and eats.
A membership here cost $60 a month and entails a 20% discount on all offerings (classes, private lessons), priority booking (one week in advance), 20% discount on event bookings, a 10% discount in the pro shop, a discount on league and tournament sign ups and invitations to exclusive events. Otherwise, locals can opt for different a la carte drop-in play options, private lessons, group classes or Pilates reformer experiences. Additionally, Portres is also offering a “Pre-Court Opening Promotion”, where locals can sign up for two months of membership for $1.
To learn more about Ballers Philadelphia, visit ballers-us.com. To learn more about VIVA, visit vivapadelpickleball.com. And to learn more about Portres, visit portresclub.com.
