Ballers is bringing country club sports to the city. The Battery is an industrial building that was once a power station. Now, it's been transformed into this sports venue, featuring pickleball, squash and Padel courts. It also has four golf simulators, with a putt and chipping green, and a turf field for soccer.
"And not just play sports. After they play, stick around, have a bite, have a drink, use the locker room [and] bring your friends. I think that's what differentiates Ballers. It's not just about the sport, it's about the hospitality, the design, the music, the lighting," said Dan Bassichis, co-founder of Ballers.
The co-founders of Ballers showed Action News around the venue, which will also include a restaurant and bar, a gym, luxury locker rooms, a sauna and a recovery room.
The $7 million sports venue has the backing from some big-name investors, like Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, former Eagle Malcom Jenkins and tennis pro Sloane Stevens.
While there are no tennis courts here, the world's fastest-growing sport could get its break here in Philly.
"Padel is really catching on. A lot of ex-tennis players are really obsessed with padel," said Amanda Potter, another co-founder of Ballers. "It's a mashup of tennis and squash with a tiny touch of pickleball because the racket you hit with is not a string racket."
Ballers at The Battery opens in mid-July and is open to everyone. You can rent a court for an hour or become a member for as little as $99 to gain access to all of its amenities.
They have a soft opening event on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.