BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A new partnership between an indoor pickleball club in Vestavia Hills and a Major League Pickleball franchise is bringing organized minor-league pickleball teams to the Birmingham area, adding another fast-growing sport to the city’s lineup.[1][2]
The Picklr Birmingham, a 10-court indoor facility opening in a converted former Sprouts grocery store at Vestavia Hills Commons, has announced a partnership with the St. Louis Shock of Major League Pickleball. The club promoted a Dec. 29 press conference at 11:30 a.m. to unveil details of the agreement and “what it means for the future of Alabama pickleball.”
Social media posts from The Picklr Birmingham describe the collaboration as a way to bring Minor League Pickleball teams to Alabama, tying local players to the national team-based competition structure that feeds Major League Pickleball. The partnership is expected to anchor league play and tournaments at the Vestavia Hills site, which will serve as the state’s flagship indoor pickleball location.
The Vestavia Hills facility will feature 10 indoor courts, including four championship courts, a pro shop, community event space and food service, according to earlier announcements from The Picklr and local media reports. Company officials have said the Birmingham-area club is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025 and will offer unlimited open play, league play, tournaments and instructional clinics for members.
The Picklr’s expansion into Alabama comes amid a national pickleball boom and a growing slate of sports offerings around Birmingham, from the Birmingham Bulls hockey team to recurring major events such as the World Police & Fire Games, which included pickleball competition in 2025. Organizers and local boosters have touted the indoor venue and new minor-league teams as a chance to position metro Birmingham as a regional hub for year-round pickleball.