SAN JOSE — A fast-expanding pickleball company has chosen a long-empty retail site in San Jose for a new hub for the sport and other activities in a fresh sign that older commercial sites can be repurposed for lively new uses.
Ace Pickleball Club has decided to open an 11-court venue at 5502 Monterey Road in part of a site where Walmart once operated a department store and supermarket, the company stated in information it provided to this news organization.
Ace Pickleball Club competition event in Roswell, Georgia, February 2026. (Ace Pickleball Club)
The venue is expected to create 30 jobs, according to Ace Pickleball Club. It will occupy about 31,000 square feet.
The new pickleball complex is slated to open sometime during the July-through-September third quarter, Ace Pickleball Club said.
“Pickleball is one of those rare sports where you can show up not knowing anyone and leave feeling like part of a community,” said Bobby Singh, a Bay Area resident who is bringing the venue to the San Jose site, which is near Blossom Hill Road.
Ace Pickleball Club site at 5502 Monterey Road in south San Jose, interior, as seen on April 7, 2026. (George Avalos/Bay Area News Group)
Ace Pickleball Club site at 5502 Monterey Road in south San Jose, seen on April 7, 2026. (George Avalos/Bay Area News Group)
The San Jose club will offer players of all skill levels the flexibility to play on their schedule through a simple, all-inclusive monthly membership. The club aims to welcome first-time players and experienced competitors alike.
Ace Pickleball Club offers open play all day and every day. Singh believes this model allows members to simply show up and play, without the inconvenience of coordinating with others or paying additional fees.
The pickleball firm is offering the first month free of charge for new members at the south San Jose venue. The perk will be available right up to the grand opening.
Singh was introduced to pickleball about three years ago during a pickup game at a court in San Jose. That playing experience stoked a passion for the sport.
The more he played, he saw increasing demand for the sport. Yet at the same time, he encountered public courts that were overcrowded yet also lacked sufficient maintenance.
Singh partnered with local partners to bring an Ace Pickleball Club franchise to San Jose. His goal is to create an inclusive space designed for players of all skill levels, with premium courts, year-round play, and a strong focus on community.
Ace Pickleball Club members will have access to unlimited open play, clinics, club-coordinated tournaments, social events, and complimentary court and ball machine reservations.
Members will also be able to test an array of top paddle brands to find what works for them, according to Singh. Rookies to the sport will be able to learn the rules so they can increase their skill levels.
“Our goal is to make that experience easier and more accessible for everyone from first-time players to those looking to compete and improve,” Singh said.