Pickleball

In 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) deemed Pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third consecutive year. They estimate that about 36.5 million people have played the game at least once in the year.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three friends. The first game was played on a badminton court with a pair of ping-pong paddles. It followed the same rules as those of court tennis.

However, after playing the game over a few weekends, the inventors made a few changes. They lowered the net, moved to a tennis court, and simplified the scoring. The origin of the game’s name is unclear. But some believe it may have been named after one of the inventors’ dogs, who went by the name Pickles.

The SFIA report found that in 2023, 28.8 percent of pickleball players in the US were between 18 and 34, so young people are buying in to this rapidaly growing sport.

The sport’s growth is not just reserved for the United States. Australia, Spain, Canada, and the UK all report an increasing number of pickleball players. The game’s popularity has led some to speculate that it may someday become an Olympic sport.

We can help you leverage Pickleball’s growing popularity for youth sports outreach in your community. Contact us for more info.