The Impact of Pickleball Courts on Short-Term Rental Revenue

In the competitive short-term rental market, property owners seek unique amenities. These features help boost bookings and increase revenue. A popular amenity now is the pickleball court. It shows great results. Host Genie used data from AirDNA to study how pickleball courts affect revenue. Properties with pickleball courts earn about $58,970 more each year than those without. The results are impressive. Let’s look closer at the numbers. This simple addition could really change the game for your property.

Key Findings

1. Big Revenue Increase: Properties with pickleball courts make about $234,683 each year. In contrast, those without earn only $172,415.

   • This $62,268 difference was validated with a statistical t-test (t = 2.37, p = 0.03).

   • Regression analysis confirmed a revenue increase of approximately $58,970 (p = 0.006).

2. Consistent Impact Across Property Types: The revenue from pickleball courts stays steady, no matter the guest capacity. This makes the investment a smart choice for properties of any size.

3. Higher Median Revenue: Listings with pickleball courts have higher median revenue. This shows they attract more guests.

Why Pickleball Courts Are a Worthwhile Investment

1. Growing Popularity of Pickleball

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., attracting players of all ages. Adding a pickleball court lets property owners meet the demand for fun activities. Guests often look for places with recreational options while they stay.

2. Stable ROI Across Property Capacities

Pickleball courts provide steady revenue benefits for rentals. This is true for properties of all sizes, not just large ones. This versatility makes them a practical choice for a wide range of property types.

3. Higher Guest Satisfaction

Pickleball courts do more than just add numbers. They improve the guest experience. This can lead to better reviews and more repeat bookings. Properties offering engaging activities tend to stand out on listing platforms.

The Study at a Glance

Dataset and Methodology

• Source: AirDNA data and Host Genie’s internal tools.

• Sample: 100 properties in the Phoenix/Scottsdale Paradise Valley submarket.

• Filters: Properties with at least 300 operating days in the past year and 20+ reviews.

• Key Variables:

  • Annual revenue.

  •  Guest capacity

  • Average property rating.

  • Presence of a pickleball court.

Analysis Techniques

• Comparative revenue analysis.

• Regression modeling to isolate the impact of pickleball courts.

• Interaction effect testing to assess stability across property sizes.

Results in Detail

Comparative Analysis

• Properties with pickleball courts earned $62,268 more annually on average.

• A t-test confirmed this revenue difference is statistically significant (p = 0.03).

Regression Analysis

• Adding a pickleball court increased annual revenue by $58,970 (p = 0.006).

• Guest capacity and overall ratings didn't significantly predict revenue. This shows that pickleball courts play a unique role in driving income.

Interaction Effects

• The guest capacity and pickleball courts did not significantly affect each other. This shows that revenue increases consistently across various property types.

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Recommendations for Property Owners and Investors

1. Add Pickleball Courts: If your property has the space, installing a pickleball court is a high-ROI investment, especially in areas where the sport is popular, like Scottsdale.

2. Market Strategically: Highlight the pickleball court prominently in your property listing to attract guests looking for unique amenities.

3. Bundle Recreational Amenities: Pair pickleball courts with other activities, like game rooms or pools, to appeal to larger groups and families.

4. Target Specific Guests: Focus marketing efforts on families, sports enthusiasts, and recreational travelers who value active amenities.

Addressing Limitations

While this study offers valuable insights, it is essential to consider the following:

1. Regional Focus: These findings come from properties in the Phoenix/Scottsdale market. They might not apply everywhere.

2. Amenity Interactions: Other amenities, such as pools or game rooms, were not included in this analysis. These may independently or collectively influence revenue.

3. Unmeasured Factors: Design quality, lot size, and professional marketing efforts were not accounted for but could contribute to the observed revenue differences.

4. Causation vs. Correlation: While the data strongly suggests a link between pickleball courts and higher revenue, other unmeasured characteristics may play a role.

Future Research Opportunities

To build on these findings, future studies could:

• Examine the impact of a broader range of amenities.

• Compare results across multiple markets with varying guest preferences.

• Evaluate seasonal trends to identify peak demand for pickleball courts.

• Assess installation and maintenance costs to provide a detailed ROI analysis.

• Explore guest demographics to better understand which groups value pickleball courts most.

Conclusion

Pickleball courts represent a strategic investment for short-term rental property owners looking to maximize returns. With an average revenue boost of nearly $59,000 annually, this amenity not only increases income but also enhances the guest experience. As the popularity of pickleball continues to grow, property owners and investors should seize this opportunity to stand out in the competitive short-term rental market.

Ready to boost your rental revenue? Add a pickleball court and watch your bookings soar!