Pickleball — a quirky name for what is now America’s fastest-growing sport — is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity across the United States. What began in the 1960s as a backyard pastime in Bainbridge Island, Washington, has transformed into a multi-million-dollar industry with professional tours, celebrity investors, and millions of active players.
From local parks to luxury fitness clubs, pickleball courts are popping up across the country, drawing people of all ages and backgrounds to its fun, accessible, and community-friendly gameplay. Its rise represents more than just a sporting trend — it’s a cultural movement.
A Nation Falling in Love with a Paddle Sport
The Sport & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) estimates that over 13.6 million Americans played pickleball in 2023 — a staggering jump from just 4.8 million in 2021. The sport has now seen three consecutive years of double-digit growth, with participation increasing by more than 150% over that period.
Why the sudden explosion? Simply put: pickleball is easy to learn, low-impact, and social. Played on a smaller court than tennis, with a solid paddle and a plastic ball, it requires less mobility and strength — making it ideal for children, seniors, and beginners, while still offering enough competitiveness for advanced players.
Cities and Suburbs Catch the Bug
Urban and suburban areas alike are embracing pickleball. Public parks are converting old tennis and basketball courts into pickleball spaces, and new purpose-built indoor clubs are appearing in cities such as:
- Austin, Texas
- Naples, Florida (widely considered the pickleball capital of the world)
- Phoenix, Arizona
- San Diego, California
- New York City
Large gym franchises and country clubs are also joining the movement, recognising the sport’s ability to draw foot traffic and promote community engagement.
At the same time, smaller towns are adopting pickleball as a key element of local recreation programming. Pickleball tournaments, meetups, and leagues are bringing together neighbours in ways that few other sports manage to do.
The Role of Celebrities and Investors
Pickleball’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed by high-profile figures. A growing number of celebrities, athletes, and entrepreneurs have invested in professional teams, clubs, or events. These include:
- LeBron James
- Tom Brady
- Kevin Durant
- Drake
- Kim Clijsters
Their involvement has elevated the sport’s profile and helped shed its old image as a “retirement community game.” Now, it’s seen as youthful, cool, and even cutting-edge — especially as clubs begin pairing pickleball with music, drinks, and upscale experiences.
Startups like Pickleball Kingdom, The Picklr, and Major League Pickleball (MLP) are creating professional structures around the sport, including leagues, rankings, and media rights. In 2023, the MLP merged with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, creating a unified pro circuit with international ambitions.
A Booming Industry
As interest in pickleball grows, so does the surrounding economy. From paddles and shoes to apparel and accessories, the pickleball equipment market is projected to exceed $250 million by 2026.
Meanwhile, real estate developers are building pickleball-specific venues — both indoor and outdoor — that combine playing courts with social lounges, food and drink services, and retail outlets. “Play-and-stay” concepts are now appearing in places like Miami, Denver, and Chicago, and some hotels and resorts are even offering pickleball holidays.
Tech companies are also entering the fold, developing apps to help people book courts, join games, and track their stats. Pickleball+, CourtReserve, and PicklePlay are just a few examples of how digital innovation is shaping the modern pickleball experience.
A Sport for All Ages
One of the key factors behind pickleball’s growth is its intergenerational appeal. Originally embraced by older adults for its low-impact nature, the sport is now increasingly popular among:
- Millennials and Gen Z, who enjoy the social aspect and fast-paced rallies
- Families, who love it as an activity that grandparents, parents, and kids can all play together
- Former tennis players, who find pickleball a satisfying alternative that’s easier on the joints
Community centres, schools, and retirement communities are all investing in pickleball programming, ensuring the sport reaches players of every demographic.
Challenges on the Court
With explosive growth come growing pains. Some cities have experienced court congestion, where public courts are overwhelmed by demand. Noise complaints from residents living near pickleball courts have also become more common, as the hard paddles and plastic balls produce a distinctive, repetitive sound.
Still, many cities are working to address these issues by building more courts, installing sound-reducing fences, and expanding court booking systems to improve access and reduce overcrowding.
The Future of Pickleball in the USA
The future of pickleball in America looks exceptionally bright. As infrastructure catches up with demand, and as more schools and youth programmes introduce the sport to the next generation, it’s likely that pickleball will continue its meteoric rise.
In many ways, pickleball has already become more than a sport — it’s a new form of social connection, wellness, and community engagement. Whether played casually in the park or competitively in a pro league, pickleball is reshaping the American sporting landscape one paddle swing at a time.
From backyard beginnings to a nationwide phenomenon, pickleball is here to stay — and it’s just getting started.