Whether it be at your local recreational center or your neighborhood’s park, the sight of a pickleball match-up is seeing an uprising. Despite the plethora of options when it comes to leisure sports, pickleball is now becoming a popular favorite.
Marking its 59th anniversary after making its debut to the world stage in 1965 — a sport that was invented in Bainbridge Island, Washington is now the fastest growing sport in the nation.
Peaking at 13.6 million players in 2023, according to a topline participation report by the Fitness Industry Association, many people play the sport as an alternative to tennis, padel or badminton. Played on a 20 by 40 foot court, pickleball enhances techniques used in the game of tennis but embraces simplicity in terms of rules and playstyle.
In the United States, pickleball exploded in popularity during the pandemic as many saw it as a way to be active over the country’s social distancing restrictions. Based on a report conducted by Statista, the sport grew by 44.6% in players since 2020.
Across America, the sport is officially under the supervision of USA Pickleball (USAP). Since the establishment of the organization, it has inducted 2,144 ambassadors and more than 53,000 members since 1984.
Attention to this sport has grown over the course of years where regardless of activity level has found its way into one’s routine. Across the country, recreation centers have decided to include pickleball courts as part of their communal spaces where children, adults and the elderly are welcomed.
While many only play it recreationally, some took it to the next level. Every year the United States hosts an international pickleball open for athletes to take part in. The 2025 US Pickleball Open will be played in Naples, Florida, from April 26 to May 3.
Similarly, 55 other countries that are members of the World Pickleball Federation also host international pickleball tournaments, uniting a global community of avid pickleball fans and players.
Like other sports, pickleball has nurtured a variety of communities. In town, clubs such as Pickleball Lawrence have made their run to host weekly meetups at the Sports Pavilion and the Holcom Recreation Center for interested individuals to play pickleball and to enjoy each other’s company.
Leisure sports like pickleball are a way to be involved without the pressure of being competitive or getting injured. It can be a sport for everyone – regardless of age or athletic ability.
