HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WBRC) - There’s a new kind of “kingdom” off Lakeshore Parkway, tucked right by K&G and Starbucks.
Inside Pickleball Kingdom Birmingham, the lights are bright, the music is on, and 14 indoor courts stretch across the building like a sports arena built for everyday people. The doors opened just this past weekend, and the place already feels like it’s been part of the neighborhood for years.
“The crème de la crème” — 14 indoor courts, plus room for your whole crew
Operating Director Randy Billingsley says the grand opening weekend was exactly what they hoped for — busy, loud, and full of first-timers.
Pickleball Kingdom Birmingham features:
- 14 indoor courts
- Two event spaces for gatherings
- Clinics and coaching for all skill levels
And this isn’t just “bring your paddle and play.” Billingsley says he recruited two of the best coaches in Alabama to help people learn fast , Jason Rash and Leslie Bashinski— and they are have fun doing it.
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A place built for parties, team-building… and the unexpected
Yes, it’s a sports facility, but it’s also becoming a go-to spot for groups.
Think:
- Corporate team-building
- Birthday parties (including adults who still play like kids… in the best way)
- Community meetups
Billingsley said they recently hosted an adult birthday party that rented multiple courts — and it turned into an instant highlight reel.
The part nobody expects: “This sport changed my life.”
Pickleball has a reputation as a “fun, easy” sport, but the stories coming out of this building are bigger than a scoreline.
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Billingsley said he started playing during COVID, and it changed his health. He went from 270 pounds to 190, simply by getting on the court consistently.
And he’s not the only one.
Coaches Leslie Bashinski and Jason Rash say they’ve watched brand-new players walk in unsure of themselves… then leave laughing, moving, and coming back for more.
“It’s easy to pick up,” Bashinski said. “We had beginners during the grand opening who had never hit a pickleball before — and we got them playing points. They kept coming back.”
Rash says the benefits aren’t only physical. He’s heard it again and again: the community can be life-changing.
He even shared one story that stuck with him. A player who told him the sport “literally saved my life,” because it gave him something to look forward to every day.
One court, multiple generations
Pickleball might be the rare sport where a kid and a grandparent can actually play together, and both have a good time.
“You can have a 6-year-old and a 70-year-old play at the same time,” the Pickleball Kingdom team says, and the sport keeps evolving. Billingsley notes the top women’s player in the world is 19 years old, a reminder that this isn’t an “older-person game” anymore.
Replays, cameras — and AI keeping score soon?
Here’s what makes this place feel next-level: technology. Around the facility, cameras capture play and can show instant replays on screens, a feature that turns a casual match into something that feels professional.
And Billingsley says more is coming: in the near future, they expect AI to track games, keep score, provide replays, and even send clips straight to your email. In other words: yes, you can absolutely walk out with a “look at that shot” highlight.
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When you can play + how to find it
Pickleball Kingdom Birmingham is open:
- 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Seven days a week
It’s located in Homewood off Lakeshore, next to K&G and near Starbucks at 251 Lakeshore Pkwy, Homewood, Alabama 35209.
For more information, visit pickleballkingdom.com and select the Birmingham location.
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