The calendar has turned, and for tennis and pickleball facility managers, that means one thing: the outdoor season is imminent. Whether you manage a high school athletic complex, a private country club, or a municipal park district, the window to prepare your courts for spring play is closing.
At All Court Fabrics, we are seeing a distinct shift in how facilities are prepping for 2026. Managers are moving beyond simple maintenance and are using this season to upgrade the visual and functional performance of their courts.
Based on the requests hitting our desk this month—from Texas universities to Carolina private clubs—here are the top three trends defining the 2026 outdoor season, and how you can implement them at your facility.
1. The Shift to 95% Opacity (The “Stadium” Look)
For years, the standard 70-80% opacity windscreen was the default choice for most tennis facilities. However, this season we are seeing a massive surge in requests for 95% opacity screens.
Why the shift?
- Player Focus: A solid, dark background (like Dark Green or Black) drastically improves ball visibility for players, reducing visual noise from traffic or spectators.
- Privacy: For private clubs and residential developments, 95% opacity provides true privacy, blocking the view from nearby roads or walkways.
- Aesthetics: High-opacity screens mimic the “stadium court” feel seen on professional tours, instantly elevating the perceived value of your facility.
Recommendation: If your facility hosts tournaments or is located in a high-traffic area, request a quote for Polypro 95. It’s the upgrade that players notice immediately.
2. Custom Dimensions: Pickleball & Paddle Require More
The “standard” 9-foot tennis screen doesn’t work for everything anymore. As facilities expand to include Pickleball and Paddle Tennis, we are seeing a high demand for custom dimensions that off-the-shelf retailers simply cannot provide.
- Pickleball Height: Because of the trajectory of the ball (and the lob shot), standard 6ft or 9ft screens often aren’t enough. We are currently manufacturing 10-foot high panels for pickleball courts to maximize wind blocking and keep balls inside the enclosure.
- Paddle Court Specs: We are seeing specific requests for Royal Blue and Black schemes for paddle courts, often requiring custom “grommets every 12 inches or closer” for tighter installation on wire fencing.
The All Court Fabrics Advantage: We don’t sell “kits.” If you need a single 32′ panel for a pickleball court or an 800′ continuous run for a school district, we cut it to your exact specifications.
3. Branding: Turn Your Fences into Assets
A plain green fence is a missed opportunity. This month alone, we’ve fielded requests for everything from “Old Farm” eagle mascots to complex university branding.
Custom printing does more than just look good; it transforms a sunk cost (fencing) into a branding asset.
- School Spirit: Put your logo on the windscreens facing the bleachers.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Use your court fencing to display sponsor logos (a popular strategy for high schools and tournaments looking to offset costs).
Pro Tip on Venting: A common concern with printed screens is wind load. We offer custom half-moon vents and boxed vents that allow airflow without disrupting your logo or design. It’s the perfect balance of durability and design.
Beat the “First Serve” Rush
The most critical factor right now is lead time.
As soon as the weather breaks, installation teams book up, and manufacturing queues lengthen. To ensure you get the right opacity screens and that printed banners are installed before your first match or member event, the time to order is now.
Ready to upgrade your facility for 2026? Don’t guess on sizes or materials. Ask our experienced sales staff what you need to know to get your project started today.
