Marking out a pickleball court on a tennis court

Chronicle under way: “Marking out a pickleball court on a tennis court,” and the subject settles in. The aim is to adapt a tennis court with temporary markings and a portable net. On the air, one after the other: the context up close, the way through in plain terms, and what is gained and what is given up. Suggested reading for beginner or regular players, parents, club organizers and managers of halls or local governments who want to set up a temporary pickleball court.

Starting September 1, 2026, pickleball moves from its specific license to the new “Club FFT license.” There is no longer a separate license, and players can alternate between racket sports over the course of the season. The recommended minimum playing area is 30 feet by 60 feet (9.14 m by 18.29 m). For new construction or a tournament, the rulebook recommends 34 feet by 64 feet, which leaves room around the court. The Fédération française de tennis states that up to four pickleball courts can fit on a single tennis court, which makes it possible to reuse existing equipment.

The context up close

A figure to note: 2026/2027 rates for the Club FFT license are €33 for adults and €23 for ages 7-18.

In terms of figures: 850 clubs affiliated with the FFT offer pickleball, according to the federation's 2026 general assembly.

Guiding idea: the non-volley zone line is parallel to the net and sits 7 feet (2.13 m) from it. The center line runs from that line to the baseline and separates the even and odd service areas.

The way through, in plain terms

The steps follow one another like this.

1. For an improvised court, about 7 feet (2.1 m) is recommended between the baseline and a wall or other barrier, to leave room for movement and safety.
2. To mark out a temporary court, chalk, line-marking paint, adhesive tape or masking tape can be used, as long as the color contrasts well with the floor.
3. For a temporary court, hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt are considered optimal, and a gym floor works just as well.

What is gained, what is given up

To decide, here is the list of selection benchmarks.

• The FFT offers affiliated clubs financial support, through its club and participation development program, to create permanent pickleball courts.
• Pickleball is played indoors as well as outdoors, with balls of slightly different design depending on the type of surface.
• Pickleball requires a hard surface and is not suited to a clay court. Any tennis court other than clay, or a sports hall, can host the game.
• A pickleball court is a rectangle 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, or 6.10 m by 13.41 m. These dimensions are the same for singles and doubles.

Wrapping up

The tour of the horizon will have crossed the context up close, the way through in plain terms, and what is gained and what is given up. Microphone closed, but the sections remain open to revisit at will.

You may also like

• Setting up a temporary pickleball court: tennis, gym or yard — Pickleball courts on tennis courts, in gyms or at home. Sections covered: the essentials without detours and every article in the category.
• Setting up a pickleball court in a gym: a checklist for municipalities — Preparing a gym to host several temporary pickleball courts. Section by section: the use cases and the decision factors, explained in plain terms.
• The FFT and pickleball: delegation, license and organization — What the FFT delegation changes for clubs and players, followed by the starting findings: the essentials, section by section in this chronicle.
• Non-volley zone: marking it correctly and explaining the rule — How to mark the non-volley zone and explain why volleying is not allowed inside it. On the program: the mechanics in detail and the opening moves.

Reference material

• Assemblée générale de la FFT, les décisions — Ministerial delegation, Club FFT license of September 2026 (€33 adults, €23 ages 7-18), development plan and approximate numbers of players and license holders. Accessed 2026-10-18.
• 2025 USA Pickleball Rules Section 2: Court and Equipment —
• L'accompagnement de la FFT dans l'essor du pickleball — FFT news item: setup on tennis courts and financial support for clubs. Accessed 2026-10-30.
• How to Make a Pickleball Court (makeshift court guide) — Editorial guide to makeshift courts: space, surface, marking materials. Accessed 2026-10-30.
• What Is Pickleball? Rules, History & How to Play — Court of 20 x 44 feet, net at 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches at the center, 7-foot non-volley zone. Accessed 2026-10-18.
• Le pickleball, encore un nouveau sport de raquettes — Belgian press article (2022) on the installation of pickleball in Arlon. Accessed 2026-10-30.

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The dimensions cited rely on USA Pickleball rules; for a competition in France, the specifications currently in force should be checked with the FFT or the relevant league.

The product tests cited may contain affiliate links: this site sells no equipment.