The Rise of Pickleball in America: From Backyard Game to National Phenomenon
Ten years ago, most Americans had never heard of pickleball. Today, the sport boasts over 48 million participants, has its own professional league, and is being played in every state in the country. What started as a summer pastime on Bainbridge Island, Washington, has exploded into the fastest-growing sport in America, and the numbers suggest the craze is nowhere near slowing down.
What Exactly Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court (20 by 44 feet) with a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and solid paddles. The smaller court size makes it significantly less physically demanding than tennis, which is a major reason for its explosive growth among older adults. But do not let the accessibility fool you — competitive pickleball is fast, tactical, and requires genuine athletic skill.
The sport was invented in 1965 by three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who wanted to create a game their families could play together during the summer. The name "pickleball" is commonly attributed to the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball. For decades, it remained a niche activity confined to retirement communities and PE classes. Then, around 2020, something remarkable happened.
The Numbers Behind the Boom
| Year | Participants (Millions) | Growth Rate | Courts Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 8.9 | Base year | ~15,000 |
| 2020 | 14.0 | +57% | ~22,000 |
| 2022 | 28.9 | +106% | ~42,000 |
| 2024 | 40.2 | +39% | ~58,000 |
| 2026 | 48.3 (est.) | +20% | ~72,000 |
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for four consecutive years. Participation has more than quintupled since 2018. The sport's growth is driven by several factors: low cost of entry (a paddle and ball cost under ), small court footprint (four pickleball courts fit on one tennis court), and the social nature of the game.
Pickleball vs. Tennis: The Court Wars
The explosive growth of pickleball has created genuine tension with tennis communities across America. Parks departments converting tennis courts to pickleball courts have faced backlash from tennis players who feel displaced. In cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, and Naples, Florida, the debate has turned contentious, with noise complaints (the paddle-on-ball sound is louder than many realize) and disputes over shared court space making local news.
The professional pickleball circuit, the PPA Tour, has attracted significant investment from sports ownership groups and celebrity backers. Players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters have become genuine sports stars, earning six-figure sponsorship deals and competing for prize pools exceeding ,000 per tournament. Major sports networks now broadcast pickleball events, giving the sport mainstream visibility it never had before.
Why Major League Pickleball Could Be the Next Big Thing
Major League Pickleball (MLP) launched in 2022 with a team-based format designed to mirror professional sports leagues. Co-owned by celebrities including Drew Brees, Lebron James, and Tom Brady, the league sells team franchises, markets player personalities, and stages events in major arenas. The model mirrors what the PBA did for bowling and what the Professional Pickleball Association has done for individual competition — but with a team twist that makes it more accessible to casual fans.
How to Get Started Playing Pickleball
Getting into pickleball is remarkably easy. Most communities now have public pickleball courts, and many parks departments offer free beginner clinics. A basic starter kit — a paddle, a few balls, and court shoes — costs less than . The USA Pickleball Association website maintains a court finder that locates courts near any address in the country.
For those who want to take it further, local pickleball clubs organize regular play sessions, ladder leagues, and tournaments. The social aspect is a huge draw — many players report that their pickleball group has become their primary friend group. In a world where adult friendship is increasingly difficult to maintain, pickleball has quietly become one of the most important social institutions in American communities.