The best pickleball music for warm-ups, open play, tournaments and those third-shot drops you swear you’ve mastered.
I love pickleball. The competition. The camaraderie. The satisfaction of hitting a perfectly placed third-shot drop that leaves your opponents wondering what the hell just happened.
But the music at some of my local courts?
Not so much.
Look, I’m not suggesting everyone needs to share my musical taste. But there’s something fundamentally wrong about battling through a competitive doubles match while sleepy soft pop drifts across the court.
And if I have to endure the same six Top 40 songs on repeat, I might just start aiming for the speaker.
Kidding.
Mostly.
That’s why I started putting together what I consider the ultimate pickleball soundtrack. Guitars. Energy. Nostalgia. Songs that make you want to move, even if your knees are politely requesting that you stop.
And because I’m a child of the ’90s who never completely moved on musically, there’s a healthy dose of alternative rock.
Actually, it’s almost entirely alternative rock.
I make no apologies.
Drew Pierce is a USA Pickleball Ambassador, PPR certified coach, and tennis crossover who covers beginner tips, paddle releases, and the sport’s growing culture. Read more on his About page or tune into Pickle Rock Radio.