The Picklr, the indoor pickleball franchise, continues its global expansion through a Master Franchise Agreement with Japan’s leading pickleball company, Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd.
The company noted in a media release that “Japan, and the broader Asia-Pacific region, represents a major opportunity … and Japan is quickly becoming a focal point for the brand.”
The first Picklr facility will open in the Tokyo metro area, with 20 clubs planned in the country over the next five years. Targeted facility locations include Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Okinawa. Facilities will be located in retail, office, light-industrial, and purpose-built spaces.
“Japan is known for valuing precision, wellness and community, all things built into The Picklr DNA. Expansion into this market allows us a chance to help shape what pickleball looks like on a global stage,” said The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan. “For us, Japan is more than a market — it’s a launchpad for how The Picklr can lead the charge in Asia, just like we’ve done in the U.S. We’re not just creating courts; we’re creating a culture. And we believe that culture will resonate in Japan.”
“Our mission is to set a new standard for the sport in Japan, combining professional-grade facilities, top-tier programming and a scalable model that can support long-term growth, said Kenton Stehr, CEO of Nippon Pickleball Holdings. “Japan deserves a world-class pickleball experience, and it was clear, based on what The Picklr has built in the U.S., that we will be able to deliver that to the Japanese market.
With development oversight and ongoing support from The Picklr’s corporate team in Utah, all Japan-based clubs will reflect the same aesthetic, amenities, programming, and membership offerings as clubs in the U.S. and Canada. While the brand’s signature features will remain consistent, the Japan team will have the flexibility to develop partnerships suited to their respective market.
Image courtesy The Picklr
