The Rise of Pickleball: Everything You Need to Know About America’s Fastest-Growing Sport
Pickleball’s Meteoric Growth in the United States
Pickleball has rapidly climbed the ranks to become one of America’s most popular emerging sports. Traditionally, sports like basketball, baseball, and football have dominated the scene, but pickleball is making headlines with its explosive growth. The sport has witnessed nearly a 40% increase in participation between 2019 and 2021, drawing in about five million active players nationwide.
Every day, an average of three new pickleball venues opens across the United States, offering more opportunities for newcomers and enthusiasts to play. The game now boasts its own professional circuit, with teams financially backed by notable figures such as LeBron James and Tom Brady, underscoring the sport’s expanding appeal and potential.
Whether you’ve played racket sports before or are new to the game, pickleball’s growing presence suggests it might be the next big thing in American athletics.
Understanding Pickleball: Origins, Rules, and Gameplay
Pickleball is a dynamic racket sport that blends elements from badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Created in 1965 by Barney McCallum, Bill Bell, and Joel Pritchard in Washington State, the game was conceived as a fun way to entertain their families. Over the decades, it has evolved with established rules and an international governing body, the International Federation of Pickleball.
The sport is played on a 20-foot by 44-foot court divided by a net, similar in design to a tennis court. A distinguishing feature is the “no-volley zone,” a seven-foot area adjacent to the net where players cannot hit the ball in the air.
Players use a paddle reminiscent of an oversized ping-pong paddle, typically fabricated from lightweight materials like graphite or aluminum. The game ball, a plastic “wiffle ball” with perforations, moves at a slower pace, making the sport accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of skill levels.
Notable gameplay features include:
– Underhand serves to begin each point
– The ball must bounce once per side after the serve before volleys are allowed
– Games are played to 11 points, but players must win by a margin of two
– Only the serving side can score points
Despite the name, “pickleball” has no connection to the food. Instead, it draws inspiration from “pickle boats” in rowing, signifying a mix of leftovers—apt, as the sport incorporates elements from several racquet sports.
Why Pickleball Is Capturing America’s Attention
There are several factors fueling pickleball’s popularity:
Easy to Learn and Inclusive
Pickleball’s basic rules and straightforward gameplay mean that anyone familiar with tennis, badminton, or table tennis can quickly get started. Beginners can grasp the essentials and start rallying within minutes.
Accessible for All Ages and Fitness Levels
The smaller court size allows nearly any shot to be within reach, making the sport less physically demanding. This has made it particularly attractive to older adults, with half of the regular player base (defined as those playing eight or more times a year) aged 55 and up.
Business Benefits of Pickleball Courts
Organizations and recreational centers have found the compact size of pickleball courts advantageous—three pickleball courts can often fit into the same space as one tennis court. This efficiency enables facilities to host more players simultaneously, boosting revenue and accessibility.
Strong Sociability and Community Appeal
Pickleball is commonly played in doubles, enhancing the sport’s social aspect. Its approachable style and group-friendly format have contributed to a lively, welcoming community. Scientific research has also highlighted the mental health benefits of regular participation, especially among older players.
Younger demographics are increasingly joining the movement as the sport’s professional leagues and tournaments draw excitement to the game, fostering a new generation of enthusiasts.
The Professional Scene: Growth of Major League Pickleball
The establishment of Major League Pickleball in 2021 marked a significant milestone, quickly positioning it as the sport’s premier professional competition. For the 2023 season, the league expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with the number of official tournaments doubling from three to six.
Prize money has surged, with payouts expected to surpass $2 million for the first time. Teams, drafted with two men and two women each, face off across a series of matches: women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles encounters. If a match ends in a tie, a special tiebreaker round decides the winner.
Celebrities and sports icons—including Tom Brady, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Draymond Green, Drew Brees, and Gary Vaynerchuk—have invested in teams, signaling growing attention and financial backing. Their investments suggest the sport is on course for further expansion and mainstream recognition.
Community Tensions and Public Space Challenges
While pickleball has brought new energy to recreational sports, its rapid growth has not been universally welcomed. The uptick in demand has led to the repurposing of tennis courts into pickleball venues, causing frustration among tennis enthusiasts.
Beyond tennis courts, other public spaces—such as basketball courts and playgrounds—have been temporarily converted with masking tape and portable nets, sometimes sparking disputes over access and safety. The increased presence of mobile courts in parks can result in congestion and heighten the risk of accidental injuries, particularly when children and pickleball players have to share limited space.
These spatial conflicts have drawn the attention of local authorities, who are working on strategies to strike a balance between the needs of pickleballers and other community members.
The Future of Pickleball: Growth, Opportunities, and Outlook
Pickleball shows every sign of maintaining its incredible upward trajectory. Both recreational and professional scenes are thriving, and as awareness grows, local governments and private enterprises are likely to invest in enhanced pickleball facilities. These developments could help alleviate pressure on existing parks and public courts, making the game even more accessible.
With expanding leagues, rising media attention, and growing community support, pickleball’s popularity seems poised not only to endure but to transform the landscape of American sports in the years ahead.
Lead image: Michael & Sherry Martin/Flickr
