RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 14, 2024) – Swing Racquet + Paddle (Swing), a first-of-its-kind experience in racquet and paddle sports, has broken ground on its 44-acre campus in Raleigh with an anticipated opening in 2026.
Swing delivers a sports-first approach—called Sportstainment™—that features pickleball, padel and tennis alongside a food and beverage experience curated by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani. The venue will be located at 6121 Mt. Herman Road in Raleigh’s Brier Creek community, near Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Swing will include 28 tennis courts, 25 pickleball courts, 15 padel courts, four beach tennis/volleyball courts and a ping pong lounge.
“Racquet and paddle sports are thriving, and Swing is here to elevate the player experience for generations to come,” said Rob Autry, Founder and CEO of Swing Racquet + Paddle. “Swing will offer much-needed court inventory while becoming a vital community hub where deeper connections and unforgettable memories are made.”
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with interest soaring by over 223% from 2020-23, creating demand for more courts nationwide. Raleigh, which recently ranked No. 5 in quality of life, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., is the ideal location for Swing as a destination for players of all ages and skill levels. Earlier this year, the City of Raleigh contributed a $10 million investment for Swing to build its campus on city-owned land. Swing’s flagship campus is expected to drive $360 million of economic impact in its first three years and attract more than one million visitors to the Raleigh area annually.
“Racquet and paddle sports are among the sports industry’s hottest businesses,” said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “We are excited to see the huge impact Swing creates in terms of jobs, tourism and special events that will bring amateurs and professionals to our region for competition. Swing will be an extension of our existing parks and recreation programs with trails that connect to our existing greenways. This partnership further enhances Raleigh’s commitment to a common connection centered on sustainability, social good and inclusion.”
In line with their shared mission to drive the innovation and evolution of racquet and paddle sports, Swing and Wilson Sporting Goods Co. have engaged in a partnership that puts them on the court with the consumer, helping to drive their industry-leading racquet sports innovation and R&D efforts. Wilson’s presence at Swing will also include a multi-racquet sport retail experience to showcase the latest innovations in Wilson equipment, a first-of-its-kind racquet fitting experience and a Stringing Bar for tennis racquets.
“Wilson is excited to embark on this unique partnership with Swing, uniting tennis, pickleball, and padel in a facility of unprecedented scale,” said Joe Dudy, President and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods. “It’s unlike any kind of experience that athletes will ever have with the Wilson brand.”
Swing is also partnering with Fabio Viviani, best known for his appearances on Top Chef, to create a better-for-you inspired menu designed to complement the racquet sports experience. Good to Great Tennis Academy will join Swing, expanding its premier teaching academy platform for the first time outside of Stockholm, Sweden.
Visit www.SwingNC.com for more information.
About Swing
Swing Racquet + Paddle, led by entrepreneur Rob Autry and business partner Jason DeGroff, is the first multi-racquet + paddle Sportstainment facility designed to scale nationwide and will feature a 44-acre flagship campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Swing addresses an unmet need in the racquet sports space through a first-of-its-kind Sportstainment experience. The flagship location, slated for completion in 2026, will be the largest, multi-racquet sports facility in the world. Swing is a place that combines the best in racquet + paddle courts, tournament play, sports fitness, technology, and Eatertainment- with a goal of producing players with a lifelong love of the game. More than a facility, Swing is an experience. An approachable and fun way to play. A place that brings people together through a common connection centered on sustainability, social good, and inclusion. For more information, please visit www.SwingNC.com.
Media Contact:
Cody Norman
(540) 684-4154
cody.norman@fleishman.com
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