The Exchange NOLA is the only dedicated facility combining indoor and outdoor courts + food/drinks in the Gulf South. Pickle N Pins (founded by Drew Brees) brings pickleball + padel + duckpin bowling. NOLA Pickleplex has 7 indoor courts, and the new Mike Miley Playground (Jefferson Parish, opened May 2025) has 9 covered courts.
New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate with year-round outdoor playability, but the summer is brutal. October through May is peak (60s-80s, manageable humidity). June through September brings 90°F+ heat, 90%+ humidity, daily afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane risk August-October. Local players shift to early morning and evening sessions on lighted courts in summer. Indoor capacity at The Exchange NOLA, NOLA Pickleplex (7 indoor), Pickle N Pins, and Hilton Riverside (6 indoor) is essential for summer afternoon coverage. Spring and fall are the best playing windows.
New Orleans has built up a remarkably distinctive pickleball scene that reflects the city’s character: eatertainment venues with serious food and drink programming, a deep community connection (Drew Brees co-owns one of the marquee venues), and a public scene anchored by NORDC and Jefferson Parish parks. The flagship dedicated facility is The Exchange NOLA, the only dedicated pickleball facility combining air-conditioned indoor and outdoor courts with food and drinks in the Gulf South. Lessons, leagues, open play, cardio pickleball, big screen TVs, live music, and NOLA-style food create the social-and-sport blend that’s become the dominant pickleball model nationwide.
Pickle N Pins in Metairie, founded by Darren Balsamo and Saints legend Drew Brees, takes the eatertainment concept further: pickleball + padel (first padel courts in Metairie) + duckpin bowling + Krazy Darts (axe throwing, IAAPA Brass Ring Award winner) + arcade games + cornhole + food truck-inspired restaurant and full bar. NOLA Pickleplex at 500 Jefferson Hwy has 7 dedicated indoor courts with instant replay scoring technology (rare for pickleball facilities) and a quirky old VW Beetle suspended over the front desk. Hilton New Orleans Riverside has 6 dedicated indoor courts on the 6th floor of the hotel ($15 daily fee, hotel and group event programming).
The big news for the public scene is Mike Miley Playground in Jefferson Parish: 9 brand-new covered dedicated pickleball courts opened May 10, 2025, free public access. Covered courts are essential for the Gulf South climate, allowing play through rain and intense sun. NORDC runs free indoor pickleball at multiple recreation centers including Lyons Recreation Center (624 Louisiana Ave, 2 indoor), Joe W. Brown Park Gym (5601 Read Blvd, 3 indoor), Gernon Brown Recreation Center (3 indoor), and Morris Jeff Recreation Center (3 indoor). Mel Ott Multipurpose Center in Gretna has 4 indoor courts ($1/session weekday afternoons, free weekday mornings). The University of New Orleans Recreation Center, Audubon Tennis & Pickleball Club, and Belle Terre Playground in Marrero round out the metro’s options. For visitors timing a trip around Mardi Gras (late winter/early spring), the local pickleball scene’s seasonal Mardi Gras tournament adds an authentically New Orleans pickleball moment to the broader Carnival celebration.
This is a working guide to where to play and what’s on the calendar. If you spot something wrong or out of date, send a note to letsplay@dinkin.app and it lands in our inbox.
The Exchange NOLA
New Orleans, LA
The only dedicated pickleball facility combining air-conditioned indoor and outdoor courts with food and drinks in the Gulf South. Lessons, leagues, open play, cardio pickleball, big screen TVs, live music, NOLA-style food, full bar. The marquee eatertainment pickleball venue in Louisiana.
Mike Miley Playground
Jefferson Parish, LA
9 brand-new covered dedicated pickleball courts at Jefferson Parish's new pickleball hub. Grand opening was May 10, 2025. Free public access. Covered courts allow play through rain and intense sun, exceptional for the Gulf South climate.
Delta Playground
1001 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
Taped pickleball lines with portable nets. Free public access through NORDC. Restrooms on-site. Casual community venue. 4 new dedicated outdoor courts with great lighting (recent upgrade).
Belle Terre Playground
5600 Belle Terre Road, Marrero, LA
Outdoor dedicated pickleball courts. Jefferson Parish Parks. Free public access.
Audubon Tennis & Pickleball
1200 S Clearview Pkwy, New Orleans, LA 70123
2 outdoor dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines. Premium experience, reservations available. Restrooms and locker rooms. Membership required.
The Exchange NOLA
New Orleans, LA
The only dedicated pickleball facility combining air-conditioned indoor and outdoor courts with food and drinks in the Gulf South. Lessons, leagues, open play, cardio pickleball, big screen TVs, live music, NOLA-style food, full bar. The marquee eatertainment pickleball venue in Louisiana.
Pickle N Pins
Metairie, LA
Founded by Darren Balsamo and Drew Brees (Saints QB legend). Pickleball + padel + duckpin bowling + arcade + Krazy Darts (axe throwing) + cornhole + food truck-inspired restaurant and full bar. First venue in Metairie to feature padel courts. Live Trivia Wednesdays at 7pm. The destination eatertainment venue for the metro.
NOLA Pickleplex
500 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA 70121
7 indoor courts at this Jefferson location between Waffle House and Crabby Jack's. Owned by Neal and Alex. Instant replay technology that tracks scores during play (unique feature). Old VW Beetle suspended above the front desk. Open play, leagues, lessons. The most established dedicated indoor pickleball facility in the metro.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
2 Poydras St Fl 6, New Orleans, LA 70130
6 indoor concrete dedicated pickleball courts on the 6th floor of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel. Membership required for regular play, daily court fee $15 for non-members. Modern feel, often hosts group events. Phone: 504-355-7828.
Joe W. Brown Park Gym
5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA
Free indoor facility with well-maintained courts at this NORDC venue. Plenty of space to practice. A top choice for rainy days. Phone: 504-487-0726.
Lyons Recreation Center
624 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans, LA
2 indoor pickleball courts welcoming beginners. Open 10am-4pm Monday and Wednesday (hours can change in summer). Hosts up to 8 players. NORDC managed. Free public access. Phone: 504-658-3004.
Gernon Brown Recreation Center
1001 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA
3 indoor pickleball courts available for up to 12 players. Check NORDC website for current schedule. Free public access.
Morris Jeff Recreation Center
2529 General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, LA
3 indoor pickleball courts for up to 6 players. No fee. Open Tue/Thu 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm. NORDC managed. Free public access.
New Orleans JCC
5342 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA
1 indoor court for up to 6 players. Membership and reservations required. Beginner sessions Wed 11am-12pm. Family time Tue 6-8pm. Regular schedule Mon/Wed/Fri 12-1:30pm, Sat/Sun 11am-1pm.
Mel Ott Multipurpose Center
2301 Belle Chase Highway, Gretna, LA
4 indoor pickleball courts available for up to 20 players. Beginners welcomed with paddles and balls provided. $1/session Mon-Tue 1-4pm. Free Wed/Thu 9am-12pm. Phone: 504-363-1597.
Val Riess Complex
1101 Magistrate Street, Chalmette, LA
3 courts available for up to 20 players. Beginners welcome, balls provided. Open Mon/Wed 10am-1pm. Free public access. St. Bernard Parish.
University of New Orleans Recreation
2000 Lakeshore Dr, New Orleans, LA 70148
Clean indoor courts. One-time fee grants access. Restrooms onsite. Reserve courts online. Robust fitness environment popular with students and locals.
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Greater New Orleans Pickleball Association
Website
The main organized pickleball community for the Greater New Orleans metro. Tournament info, league coordination, partner-finding, court directory. The default first stop for newcomers to the New Orleans pickleball scene.
New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC)
Website
Official City of New Orleans recreation body. Manages Lyons Recreation Center, Gernon Brown Recreation Center, Morris Jeff Recreation Center, Joe W. Brown Park Gym, and Delta Playground. Programming, schedules, drop-in info.
Jefferson Parish Parks
Website
Manages Mike Miley Playground (9 new covered courts opened May 2025), Mel Ott Multipurpose Center, Belle Terre Playground, and other Jefferson Parish venues.
PickleTip.com - New Orleans
Website
Most active pickleball community resource for New Orleans. Court reviews, news updates, league information. Recently covered Mike Miley Playground opening, NOLA Pickleplex, and Elmwood pickleball league formation.
The Exchange NOLA Tournaments
Year-round
The Exchange NOLA hosts amateur tournaments and leagues across its indoor and outdoor courts. Skill-divided brackets, eatertainment programming. The most consistent competitive amateur calendar in the metro.
Pickle N Pins Tournaments
Year-round
Pickle N Pins runs tournaments across its 6 indoor courts. Skill-divided brackets, social events. Founded by Drew Brees so naturally attracts a strong local following.
NOLA Pickleplex Tournaments
Year-round
NOLA Pickleplex runs leagues, tournaments, and round-robins on its 7 indoor courts. DUPR-rated brackets.
Mardi Gras Pickleball Tournament
Annual, late winter
Mardi Gras-themed pickleball tournament held in conjunction with the New Orleans Carnival season. Festive atmosphere, attracts regional players. Check Greater NOLA Pickleball Association for current dates.
Pages are reviewed quarterly, but courts open, leagues move, and venues close. If something here is wrong or outdated, send a note and it lands in my inbox.
Last verified May 15, 2026 · Dinkin