Have you heard of pickleball? If not, you miss out on one of the world’s most exciting and enjoyable sports.
Pickleball is a hybrid of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, played with paddles and a perforated ball on a small court with a low net. It is simple to learn, fun to play, and adaptable to any age and skill level. But don’t take our word for it. Look at the numbers.
This blog post will show you some amazing facts and figures that reveal how popular pickleball is and why it is growing so fast. We will use data from reliable sources such as the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), and others.
When you finish reading this post, you will be amazed by the pickleball phenomenon and eager to join the craze.
Pickleball Popularity Statistics
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball has 8.9 million players in the United States as of early 2023. It is an increase of 85.7% from 2022 and 158.6% from 2020. Pickleball’s popularity has nearly doubled in the last seven years (2014-21).
Pickleball attracts players of all ages and skill levels, especially older adults who enjoy the low-impact and social aspects of the game. Compared to 2020, pickleball players in 2021 are an average of 38.1 years old.
However, 33% of the core players (those who play more than eight times a year) are over 65 years of age. Most pickleball players are men (60%), and most live in the South-Atlantic region (around 1 million).
To put these numbers in perspective, pickleball has more players than golf (24.3 million), tennis (17.9 million), and squash (1.6 million) combined. It also has more players than basketball (24.4 million), baseball (15.9 million), and soccer (11.9 million) individually.
Pickleball is also gaining popularity internationally, with more than 40 countries having pickleball associations and clubs. The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) organizes tournaments and events worldwide, such as the Bainbridge Cup and the World Pickleball Championship.
Pickleball Demographics
Pickleball appeals to people of different ages, genders, regions, and backgrounds. Millions of Americans play it for its fun, fitness, and social aspects. Here are some facts and figures that show pickleball players’ diversity and characteristics:
- The average age of pickleball players in 2021 is 38.1 years, down from 41 years in 2020. It shows that pickleball is gaining traction among the youth.
- The average age of core players (those who play more than eight times a year) is 47.5 years, and of casual players (those who play one to seven times a year) is 33.6 years.
- 33% of the core players are over 65 years of age. Pickleball is popular among older adults who appreciate the low-impact and social nature of the sport.
- The highest proportion of players are between the ages of 18 and 34 (27.8%), which is the highest among all the age groups. But this age group also has the most number of casual players (33.9% of the total).
- The majority of pickleball players are men (60%), but women are also joining the sport in increasing numbers.
- Most pickleball players live in the South-Atlantic region (around 1 million), followed by the Pacific region (around 800,000) and the East-North Central region (around 700,000).
US Pickleball Player’s Yearly Growth Rate
Another common question about pickleball is how fast it is growing. Pickleball is a sport that has been experiencing remarkable growth in the number of players, courts, tournaments, and organizations in the US and around the world. Here are some facts and figures that show the trends and opportunities in pickleball’s growth:
The yearly growth rate of US pickleball players can be calculated by using the formula:
Yearly Growth Rate = (Current Year Players – Previous Year Players) / Previous Year Players * 100
Using this formula, we can estimate the yearly growth rate of US pickleball players for the last five years based on the data from various sources:
- 2018: 9.7% (3.3 million players in 2018, 3 million players in 2017)
- 2019: 12% (3.7 million players in 2019, 3.3 million players in 2018)
- 2020: 21.6% (4.5 million players in 2020, 3.7 million players in 2019)
- 2021: 6.7% (4.8 million players in 2021, 4.5 million players in 2020)
- 2022: 85.7% (8.9 million players in 2022, 4.8 million players in 2021)
The average annual growth rate (AAGR) of US pickleball players for the last five years can be calculated by using the formula:
AAGR = (Yearly Growth Rate1 + Yearly Growth Rate2 + … + Yearly Growth RateN) / N
Using this formula, we can estimate the AAGR of US pickleball players for the last five years as follows:
AAGR = (9.7% + 12% + 21.6% + 6.7% + 85.7%) / 5
AAGR = 27.14%
It shows that pickleball is a sport that has been growing very fast in the US and is expected to continue to do so in the future.
USA Pickleball Membership and Tournament Statistics
USA Pickleball is the governing body for pickleball in the United States. It provides and supports various programs, initiatives, membership offerings, sanctioned tournament opportunities, and strategic partnerships to promote and grow the sport.
Here are some facts and figures about USA Pickleball’s achievements and activities:
- The number of pickleball courts in the US has also increased significantly. According to USA Pickleball, there are 10,724 known locations to play pickleball in North America, with 44,094 total known courts. Nearly 1,557 new locations were added to the database in 2022, an average of 130 recent locations monthly.
- The number of pickleball tournaments in the US has also increased dramatically over the years. According to USA Pickleball, there were 237 sanctioned tournaments in 2022, an annual increase of almost 55% over 2021. Sanctioned tournaments follow the official rules and standards of USA Pickleball and offer players a chance to compete and earn ratings.
- The number of pickleball organizations in the US has also increased substantially over the years. According to USA Pickleball, there are more than 70,000 members and 1,973 ambassadors as of early 2023. Members enjoy various benefits such as discounts, insurance, ratings, and access to tournaments and events. Ambassadors are volunteers who promote and teach pickleball at the local level.
Pickleball Market Statistics
Pickleball is a sport with a growing market for equipment, apparel, and services. It is estimated that the global pickleball market size was valued at USD 1322.91 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.19% during the forecast period, reaching USD 2368.34 million by 2028.
Here are some facts and figures that show the trends and opportunities in the pickleball market:
USA Market
The USA had a 74% global market share in 2018, followed by Canada (5.4%). The US is the largest and most mature market for pickleball, as it is the birthplace and the most popular destination for the sport. Canada is the second-largest market, as it has a similar culture and climate to the US.
Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period due to the increasing awareness and adoption of pickleball among the young and urban population.
Countries like India, China, Japan, and Australia are emerging as potential markets for pickleball, as they have a large and growing middle-class segment with disposable income and leisure time.
Pickleball Paddle Market
The pickleball ball market size was estimated to be USD 152.8 million in 2021 and is expected to grow by 7.7% yearly, reaching USD 256.1 million by 2028. The pickleball ball is another essential piece of equipment in the sport, as it affects the game’s speed, spin, and bounce.
The demand for pickleball balls is driven by factors such as product variety, regulation compliance, weather resistance, and durability.
Pickleball Ball Market
The pickleball ball market size was estimated to be USD 68.9 million in 2021 and is expected to grow by 6.9% yearly, reaching USD 107.6 million by 2028. The pickleball ball is another essential piece of equipment in the sport, as it affects the game’s speed, spin, and bounce.
The demand for pickleball balls is driven by factors such as product variety, regulation compliance, weather resistance, and durability.
Pickleball Net Market
The pickleball net market size was estimated to be USD 25.6 million in 2021 and is expected to grow by 6.2% yearly, reaching USD 38.9 million by 2028. The pickleball net is a vital piece of equipment in the sport, as it defines the playing area and height of the game.
The demand for pickleball nets is driven by product quality, portability, ease of installation, and maintenance.
Other Segments
The other segments of the pickleball market include apparel, footwear, accessories, services, and others. These segments are expected to grow at varying rates depending on consumer preferences, trends, and innovations in the industry.
Pickleball is a sport with a good and lucrative product and service market. The pickleball market is expected to continue to grow and diversify as more people discover and enjoy the sport.
FAQs
Pickleball is very popular in the USA, with 8.9 million players as of early 2023. It is also the fastest-growing sport in America, with a growth rate of 158.6% for the last three years (2020-22). Pickleball attracts players of all ages and skill levels.
Pickleball is suddenly popular because it is easy to learn, fun to play, and suitable for all ages. It also requires less energy and space than other racket sports like tennis or badminton. Pickleball is also affordable, addictive, and social.
Pickleball has yet to be an Olympic sport, but it might be in the future. It needs to be played in at least 75 countries across four continents for men and 40 countries across three continents for women to be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Pickleball is currently played in 69 countries.
Wrap Up!
In this article, we’ve looked at some pickleball popularity statistics that show how this sport has grown in recent years. We’ve seen how pickleball appeals to a wide range of demographics, from young to old, from beginners to pros.
We’ve also explored how USAPA has promoted and supported the sport through its membership and tournament programs. And we’ve learned how the pickleball market has expanded to meet the demand for equipment, apparel, and accessories.
If you’re a pickleball enthusiast, you can be proud to be part of this fantastic community.
So grab your paddle and ball, find a court near you, and enjoy the game!
I am a professional physiotherapist and the author of the BallSportsPro. I worked with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, and i helped them overcome injuries and improve their performance. I am a certified Pickleball instructor and has been playing the sport for over 10 years.