Pickleball has found Colombo

Two years after the first courts opened, the paddle sport is everywhere from Nugegoda to Negombo. Here’s how it works, and where to play.

In January 2024, a club called Pipinya opened a handful of courts in Moratuwa for a sport most Sri Lankans had never heard of. That April it hosted what it called the country’s first pickleball tournament, open to every age and skill level. Two and a half years later, you can book a court on a weeknight in Colombo 07, Rajagiriya, Battaramulla, Nugegoda, Negombo or by the beach in Ahangama.

What it actually is

Think tennis, shrunk to a badminton-sized court and played with a solid paddle and a light plastic ball full of holes. The ball moves slower than a tennis ball, so rallies last longer and beginners can keep up within one session. Most games are doubles.

The rules fit on a napkin. Serve underarm, diagonally. Let the ball bounce once on each side before anyone volleys. Stay out of “the kitchen,” the strip next to the net, when hitting the ball out of the air. Only the serving team scores, and the first to 11 wins, as long as they’re two points clear.

Easy to learn in an hour. Hard to put down after that.

Why it’s spreading

In the United States it has been named the fastest-growing sport for four years running, with nearly 20 million people playing in 2024. Here, the appeal is simpler. It’s social, it mixes ages, an hour after work is enough, and courts are cheaper to build than tennis courts, which is why they keep appearing in car parks, rooftops and old warehouses.

Where to start

Most venues lend paddles and balls and run beginner sessions, so you don’t need to buy anything first. Book an off-peak slot, bring three friends, and split the court fee. If you play outdoors, go early or late: the ball is light, and so is your patience in the midday sun.

Sources: The Morning (April 2024), Daily Mirror (November 2024), pickle.lk court guide (2026), SFIA via Pickleball.com. Prices vary by venue and time; check before you book.