Pickleball is played indoors on sports hall floors and outdoors on hard courts, and regular players keep gear for both.
The ball
Outdoor balls are heavier with smaller, more numerous holes, so they cut through wind. Indoor balls are lighter with larger holes and a softer bounce. Using the wrong one is the most common beginner mistake, and the ball is usually printed with which it is.
The surface
Indoor wood or sprung floors are gentler on knees and give a slightly slower, higher bounce. Outdoor concrete or acrylic is faster and harder underfoot. Shoes matter: court shoes indoors, and outdoor soles if you play regularly on hard courts.
Conditions
Wind is the great leveller outdoors, and sun in the eyes decides more points than anyone admits. Indoors, lighting and background walls make the ball easier to track, which is why beginners often improve fastest under a roof.
Finding courts
Indoor play usually runs through a leisure centre or club with a booked timetable. Outdoor courts are frequently free public facilities, sometimes shared with tennis. Check whether nets are provided or whether you need a portable one.
Published September 21, 2026
