Portable Net Stands
This page lists many options for portable net stands. While many courts have permanent net posts, other courts must be used for multiple purposes. This page lists some of the options that can be used to set up temporary nets in gymnasiums or multi-sports courts. They range from inexpensive homemade solutions to more expensive commercial products. The commercial products are designed for badminton, but can be used for pickleball by lowering the net. A source for each commercial product is listed as an example and for pricing. Check shipping costs. Some of the heavier products that must be shipped by truck may have freight costs of $150 each or more. Listed sources should not be considered a recommendation by the USAPA. Check for other sources.Most of the items listed do not include nets. Nets are available from several of the sellers on "Our Sponsors" page. A link to the page is on the left menu of most pages of this site. The most common nets are a light net that sells for about $30 and a heavier weather-treated net that sells for about $80. Most standard badminton nets should work well.
There are other types of temporary netstands that include a sleeve and cover plate installed in the court surface. Anything requiring modification of the court surface is not listed.
USAPA Portable Net System
Description: This is a light portable net system designed to be quick and easy to set up and take down. It is a full regulation height and width designed just for pickleball.Cost: $149 list (discounts for USAPA members and quantity purchase). Includes the net and carrying bag.
Advantages: Complete net system. Inexpensive, light, portable, and easy to set up.
Disadvantages: Designed for pickleball. Cannot be set to badminton height. Applications requiring heavy-duty nets may require some of the heavier commercial net stands shown below.
Get more information and purchase from the USAPA
Net
Stands Made from Chain Link Fence Rail
Description: Made from 1 3/8" top rails and fittings for chain link
fence.
Cost: $84 + net
Advantages: Relatively inexpensive. Can be assembled from readily available materials from Lowe's. Can be easily disassembled for transport or storage. Entire assembly, including the net, can be picked up by one person and moved to the side of a gym or sports court. That is an advantage because the net does not have to be removed every time the stands are moved. The net is tensioned against the horizontal bar, thus eliminating the need for an excessive amount of weight that is required in most other designs.
Disadvantage: Some basic mechanical skill, time, and tools are required for the initial construction.
Complete assembly instructions and Bill of Materials.
Similar to the above design, but made from PVC
Cost: Unknown
Advantages: Relatively inexpensive. Can be assembled from readily available materials. Entire assembly, including the net, can be picked up by one person and moved to the side of a gym or sports court. That is an advantage because the net does not have to be removed every time the stands are moved. The net is tensioned against the horizontal bar, thus eliminating the need for an excessive amount of weight that is required in most other designs.
Disadvantage: Some basic mechanical skill, time, and tools are required for the initial construction.
Net
Stand Made from 5-Gallon Paint Buckets
Description: 5-gallon paint buckets filled with concrete or large rocks for weight. Net post can be plastic or metallic pipe.
Cost: $20-$40 + net
Advantages: Very inexpensive. Can be assembled from readily available materials.
Disadvantages: Heavy weight makes it very difficult for some people to move (a small hand truck might be desired if moved often). Depending on the court surface, the net stands tend to slide together because of the tension on the net. Some basic mechanical skill, time, and tools are required for the initial construction. Frequent adjustment and/or additional weight may be required. Make your own judgment about the attractiveness.
Cast
Iron Base for Outdoor Umbrella Stand
Description:
This is an example of a base for an outdoor umbrella stand. Some are
heavier than others. The one in the photo weighs 27 pounds. Add a pipe
and eyebolts.
Cost: $75-$90 (for a pair) + net
Advantages: Easy to construct and move. Rubber feet on the bottom protect a wood floor.
Disadvantages: Requires minor mechanical skill, time, and tools to construct, but is much easier to make than the 2 designs above. May require additional weight such as sandbags to hold in place. The lightweight net is recommended because of the weight.
Concrete
Base for Outdoor Umbrella Stand
Description: This is an example of concrete base for an umbrella stand.
It is much heavier than others. Add a pipe and eyebolts.
Cost: About $90-$100 (for a pair) + net
Advantages: Easy to construct. Heavy weight makes it unnecessary to add additional weight.
Disadvantages: Requires minor mechanical skill, time, and tools to add the pipe and eyebolts. Weight is unknown, but at least 70 pounds. Requires a small hand truck to move. Transporting to another location would be difficult. Rough concrete bottom would require a protective pad for a wood floor.
Multi-Purpose
Blue Base
Description: A versatile base that when combined with our 8’ and 5’
poles can be
used for a variety of recreational activities. Just fill the
20" x 30"
base with sand (80 lbs.) or water (60 lbs.), insert a pole, attach one
of the accessories and you are ready to go.
Cost: $188 including net (base, poles, and slip-on net are sold separately)
Advantages/Disadvantages: The USAPA has no experience with this model.
Tournament Set from Pickleball.comDescription: Two water fillable base standards with 2 rubber stoppers, two net posts with couplings, 1 light weight net, 4 Diller paddles, 4 sticks of chalk for lines, 4 DURA 56 balls and rules.
Cost: $208 including net and everything shown.
Advantages: Everything needed to get started playing pickleball.
Disadvantages: Plastic bases do not hold up well in hot summer sun. Bases can be heavy when full. It can be inconvenient and messy when filling and emptying with water.
Round
Econo Badminton Standards
Description: Standards for games that use lightweight
nets.Each base weights 30# , making them stable, yet portable. Uprights
are 1 3/4" x 6' galvanized steel tubing. Bases are 24" in diameter.
Also available with wheels.Cost: $189 Pair + net
Brand: TC Sports Model MTC539
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball.
Disadvantages: Each stand weighs only 30 pounds, so a lightweight net is recommended. Additional weight may be required for proper net tension.
Multipurpose Standards
Description:
For Indoor Or Outdoor Use. Bases have heavy steel bracket
supports and heavy duty rubber wheels. The upright 1 3/4" OD steel pole
is attached to the base with a bolt running all the way through the
neck of the base and the pole. Includes a no-mar rubber rim to protect
your gym floors. All bases are complete with the upright pole and two
single ring slides. Base is 24" in dia. and stem is 10" high. Bases are
available in 3 sizes, (130 lbs., 180 lbs., or 250 lbs. each) and are
available in 6 colors, (blue, green, red, white, yellow and black).Cost: $297 each 130 lb. + net
Brand: TC Sports MTC110
Advantages: Can be used for volleyball, badminton, tennis, tetherball, deck tennis, and many other games (some sports might require the heavier options for this unit).
Disadvantages: Cost. Heavy weight requires a strong adult to rock it back on the wheels. Moving to another location would be difficult.
Fill Your Own Base Game Standard
Description: This base has pop-out plugs allowing you to fill
your own base. You control the weight you require. Identical in size to
our Multi Use Standards. Recommend filling with silica sand. Ring
slides included. Weight after filling is approximately 110 lbs.Cost: $224 each + post + net
Brand: TC Sports Model MTC116 Base only, MTC 117 Post sold separately.
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball. Heavy enough for net tension without extra weight. Lighter shipping weight may save on shipping costs.
Disadvantages: Cost. Heavy weight requires a strong adult to rock it back on the wheels.
23' Multipurpose Game Standards
Description: Game standards are constructed of 1 3/4" galvanized steel
tube, uprights are 8' in height. Equipped with 4 single ring slides,
non marring rubber pads for indoor use. Disassembles for easy storage.
Cost: $209 + net
Brand: TC Sports Model MTC102
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball. Horizontal bar keeps the net taut without adding a lot of weight.
Disadvantages: The horizontal bar under the net makes it inconvenient for players that like to scoot the ball back under the net between rallies.
Econo Game Standards
Description: Quick and easy to move, stores away in a small area.
Stands with riser
6' high. Base is constructed of heavy 18" x 18" painted steel plate.
Upright risers are 1 3/4" galvanized steel tube. Complete with 2 bases,
2 risers and 4 single ring slides.
Cost: $170/Pair + net
Brand: TC Sports Model MTC100
Advantages/Disadvantages: The USAPA has no experience with this model. Weight is unknown. Additional weight and/or lightweight net may be required for adequate net tension.
SSG
Portable
Badminton Game Standards
Description: 1-5/8"
OD galvanized standards on 24" diameter steel base ringed with
a
rubber mounted floor protector. Oversize net eye bolts are attached to
standards. Roll-away wheels. 60 lbs.
Cost: $335 Pair + net
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball.
Disadvantages: Cost. Additional fittings or adjustment of existing fittings may be required to lower the net.
Jaypro
Light-Duty Game Standards
Description: Light-duty combo game standards. Uprights are two piece 2
in. diameter X 10' high. Includes sliding eye bolt collars that allow
for easily adjustable net heights. Bases include rubber rims to protect
floor and two 4 in. non-marring wheels for easy portability. 75 lbs.,
24 in. diameter. Other models are available (145 lbs, 24") (220 lbs,
30")
Cost: $562 pair + net Model AS-475RG
Advantages: Can be use for both badminton and pickleball.
Disadvantages: Cost. Possible high freight for shipping by truck.
Big Red Base
Description: 14-1/2" tall with a 20" diameter and weighing up
to
85 lbs. when filled with sand.
Includes a "post support collar" that fits securely into a fillable,
"main cavity" of the base.Cost: $133 post and base each + net
Advantages/Disadvantages: The USAPA has no experience with this model.
Gared
Portable Badminton Upright Post
Description: Weighted base with T-bar keeps post in place. Solid rubber
casters
allow you to move your upright to and from your storage
area. Upright is constructed of 1 1/2" square steel tubing which is
powder coated a durable white finish. Center upright available for
multi-court configurations.
Cost: $410 per post + net
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball.
Disadvantages: Cost. Additional fittings or adjustment of existing fittings may be required to lower the net.
Edwards Portable Badminton Standards
Description: Manufactured in England by Edwards Sports Products. All
steel frame with Royal Blue powder coat finish. Features non-marring
floor protectors and wheels for transport. May be used indoors or
outdoors. Weight 155 lbs./pair.Cost: $370/Pair + net
Advantages: Can be used for both badminton and pickleball.
Disadvantages: Cost. Additional fittings or adjustment of existing fittings may be required to lower the net.
Speith Anderson Badminton Posts
Description: SA Sport badminton posts are manufactured with 1.9"
diameter steel
tubing for strength and durability. Height is quickly and easily
adjusted by sliding an adjustable collar up or down the post. Side
cleats tightly secure the net ropes. All posts come with hooks on both
sides for use as end or center posts. Wheels on the weighted base make
it easy to move posts around
your gym.
Cost: ? + net
Advantages/Disadvantages: The USAPA has no experience with this model.