Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford has a new sport. Lee Valley VeloPark now has four permanent pickleball courts and a live Picklemania League.
The velodrome, nicknamed the Pringle for its curved roof, hosted track cycling at London 2012 and is still one of the best-known sports buildings in Britain. The courts sit alongside it.
A venue and a league together
Picklemania is a digital league platform that connects players, clubs and venues. At the VeloPark, players book a session, play, and log their results in the app. Rankings update, players are matched with others at their level, and every session, including informal drop-in play, counts towards a ranking.
Disclosure: Picklemania was created in conjunction with The Pickleball Directory.
To join, register at picklemania.co.uk before your first session.
The launch
The four new courts were launched together with the league. Jess Wilson, described as the UK's number three female player, was there, along with Richard Love, the UK's top-ranked 50+ player and number three in Europe in that category, and coach Rob Williams. Members of the Jess Premier Pickleball League team, including European champions Emily Jelly and Anty Guiliano, also took part, and professional player James Chaudry led 40-minute coached sessions.
The Picklemania app was live on the day, so players could join the league and play their first ranked matches at the same event.
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What's on offer
The VeloPark has built a full weekly programme rather than a single session added to an existing timetable.
- Social sessions: Tuesdays 11:00 to 13:00 and Fridays 18:00 to 20:00, run by a trained Sports Activator who supports all abilities. Equipment is provided, and sessions start from £12.50 for members.
- Court hire: book online or through the Better UK app, from £18.90 off-peak and £23.60 peak. Racket and ball hire is £2 per person, and some memberships include a monthly court allowance.
- Drop-in sessions: informal, unfacilitated court time for players who know the basics. Book online, turn up and organise your own games.
Why it matters
A venue with the profile of the VeloPark committing to pickleball at this level, with permanent acrylic courts, a weekly programme and a league, is a useful signal to leisure operators elsewhere. It shows that structured, well-surfaced pickleball belongs in high-quality facilities.
Getting there
Stratford station is a short walk through the park and is served by the Elizabeth line, Central line, Overground and DLR. If you are travelling from outside east London, the park repays a longer visit: the London Stadium, the Aquatics Centre and the ArcelorMittal Orbit are all within walking distance, and the VeloPark also has a BMX track, a floodlit road circuit and mountain bike trails.
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Visit Lee Valley VeloPark
Location: Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 3AB
Social sessions: Tuesdays 11:00 to 13:00 and Fridays 18:00 to 20:00, from £12.50 for members
Court hire: From £18.90 off-peak and £23.60 peak; racket and ball hire £2 per person
Picklemania League: Join at picklemania.co.uk
Book: Book online or use the Better UK app
Find the venue on The Pickleball Directory.
Session times, prices and availability may change. Check with the venue before you travel.
