Why is Pickleball Popular in the USA: Reasons Behind Its Explosive Growth

The phenomenon of pickleball’s popularity and its rapid growth was an occurrence that took many skeptics by surprise, who thought the sport was just a failed parody of tennis. However, time has shown that this is not the case, and the sport is gaining huge popularity in the USA. 

In this article, we tried to analyze the reasons behind it, the market growth, players' demographics, and the possible scenarios for further growth.

The Main Reasons Behind Pickleball’s Popularity in America

Behind any occurrence, there is a reasoning and logic, and the growth of pickleball isn’t an exception. To understand why the sport is booming, we first need to understand the different factors that pickleball features have resonated with Americans across various states and cities.

The above data was extracted from statista.com and pickleheads.com; however, several other studies show that the actual number is 48.3 million. One reason for the difference in numbers may be that the sources include players who have played at least once in their lives, casual players, or serious players who attend court a couple of times a week. 

Over the past five years, Google Trends data reveals a consistent upward trajectory in pickleball search interest in America, indicating steady popularity growth over time (although with its ups and downs).

Social Connection

Pickleball is a very social game; it’s usually played in doubles, the atmosphere is friendly and often community-oriented; players of different ages and backgrounds can easily mix in open play.

Ease of Play and Accessibility

Pickleball is relatively easy for beginners to learn. According to Nikolas Webster, a sport management clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, unlike many other sports, pickleball’s learning curve is quick and the required equipment is minimal and affordable. 

This low barrier to entry means people who might be intimidated by sports like tennis or golf feel comfortable trying pickleball. In addition to those mentioned earlier, a casual game can be set up anywhere with a flat surface. That’s why we see pickleball being played almost everywhere.

Competition and Skill Mastery

Pickleball isn´t as simple as it may seem at first glance; competitive play requires good strategies, shot techniques (such as dinks, drops, and spins), and even professional tournaments for those who take it seriously. A segment of players are former tennis, squash, or badminton players who missed the thrill of competition and found pickleball as a new outlet. 

One notable pickleball trend is the migration of ex-tennis players to pickleball. Many former tennis players, including very famous names, switched due to injuries or age, choosing pickleball as a competitive alternative.

Pickleball Health Benefits

Pickleball's popularity isn't just about fun, but also about the health benefits it provides.

• A study shows that pickleball can improve people's mental health. Because of its social aspect and moderate physical activity, it’s a good therapy for people with different backgrounds. Playing pickleball increases life satisfaction and shows the potential to reduce symptoms of depression. (Source: frontiersin.org)

• Pickleball offers mental stimulation and cognitive engagement; its energetic and joyful nature contributes to overall well-being. (Source: psychologytoday.com)

• According to medical research, regular pickleball play can lead to a 12% increase in cardiorespiratory fitness. (Source: ijrep.org)

• The sport helps improve hand-eye coordination, general movement, and muscular strength. (Source: recreation.duke.edu)

• As more Americans prioritize health and wellness, pickleball has become an attractive option for staying active and fit. (Sources: health.com & apple.com)

Celebrities Who Play Pickleball

Many celebrities, including professional athletes and Hollywood stars, have also contributed to pickleball's growing popularity. Their involvement in the sport has undoubtedly drawn more attention to the game and inspired others to try it. 

• Drake, Michael B. Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Ellen DeGeneres have all invested in pickleball. They have become involved in teams within the Major League Pickleball League, aiming to raise awareness of the sport and support its expansion.

• Pickleball also has attracted a diverse array of celebrity enthusiasts, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Gary Vaynerchuk, George and Amal Clooney, Jenna Bush Hager, Michael Phelps, and Stephen Colbert. These high-profile players have helped increase the sport's visibility and appeal, contributing to its growing popularity among fans.

Pickleball Earnings and Prizes

With pickleball earnings and prizes becoming increasingly lucrative, it's no wonder the sport has soared in popularity.

• The highest-earning pickleball player won $125,000 in prize money during the first three events of 2023. (Source: cbsnews.com)

• Tennis legend Andre Agassi, alongside Andy Roddick, defeated John McEnroe and Michael Chang in a closely contested match and won the $1 million Pickleball Slam. (Source: marca.com)

• A pickleball player has the potential to earn up to $300,000 annually through appearance fees, contractual minimums, and tournament winnings. (Source: cbsnews.com)

Pickleball Popularity Among Different Age Groups and Gender

Everyone knows that at the very beginning, pickleball was considered a sport for seniors who wanted to find an activity that would be easy on their aging bodies. But now, the picture has completely changed because more and more young players have started playing it.

• According to ​theapp.global data, the average pickleball player´s age was just 34.8 years as of 2023. By comparison, a couple of years prior, the average age was around 38.

• In 2023, most pickleball players were in the 25-34 years old age group according to sfia.org. The same pattern we noticed after analyzing our own data for 2024 on age groups interested in pickleball:

• Although pickleball attracts both men and women, men currently outnumber women. According to the most recent industry report, approximately 60% of players are male and 40% female. ​(Source: usapickleball.org).

Pickleball Popularity by State

• All states saw participation gains in 2023, led by the South Atlantic (Southeast) region, which topped 2.8 million players in 2023 (a 50% increase vs 2022)​ (Source: sgbonline.com). 

• The traditionally strong pickleball states of Florida, California, and Texas have the most venues. By early 2025, Florida alone had 1,228 known places to play, narrowly surpassing California (1,223 locations) as the state with the most courts, followed by Texas (941) and New York (702) (Source: ​pickleheads.com).

• The top 10 metropolitan areas make up 45% of all pickleball participation, with New York City and Los Angeles alone accounting for over 21% of players (Source: ​theapp.global​). 

• Based on Google Trends data from the past five years, starting from 2019, the top five US states with the highest pickleball interest are as follows: Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Minnesota and Florida.

Is Pickleball More Popular Than Tennis

While pickleball´s steady growth, the number of participants recording tennis workouts remained relatively consistent year after year.

In August 2023, 1,331 participants logged at least one pickleball workout, compared to 1,243 participants recording a tennis workout, with 106 participants engaging in both activities simultaneously. Over the 32 months under scrutiny, the cumulative count of participants engaging in either sport at any point reached 4,799 for pickleball and 7,780 for tennis. (Source: appleheartandmovementstudy.bwh.harvard.edu)

A comparative analysis of tennis and pickleball data in Google Trends over the past five years illustrates a surge of interest in pickleball from 2020 onwards.

When Did Pickleball Become Popular?

Pickleball surged in popularity in the USA during the late 20th century, particularly gaining traction in the 2000s, although the exact year we couldn´t find. 

• By the early 2010s, pickleball had firmly established itself as a prominent recreational activity, with a growing community of players.

• In 2022, "pickleball" emerged as a significant trend in the US, attracting considerable attention from domestic and international media outlets. Extensive coverage was given to the sport, marking it as one of the most talked-about activities of the year. (Source: usapickleball.org)

• Pickleball's popularity has soared in the United States, experiencing an impressive 85.7% year-over-year increase and an astounding 158.6% growth over three years. The sport boasted 8.9 million participants in 2022, surpassing the number of pickleball enthusiasts in 2021. This surge underscores the remarkable expansion and heightened recognition of pickleball, emphasizing the need to utilize facility data alongside detailed participation breakdowns to capitalize on this trend. (Source: sfia.org)

This growth is further supported (70,000) by data from USA Pickleball (USAP), which reported a 30% increase in membership during the same period, indicating a growing community of pickleball enthusiasts. (Source: usapickleball.org)