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This sport saw a 51% increase in players in a single year — The data is in

This popular sport is good for your heart, mind, and muscles

By Steph Green Aug 25, 2025 1:28 PM

man playing pickleball — Anhleephoto / Pexels

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You might enjoy several different sports or find yourself more drawn to one in particular, whether that’s tennis, football, or basketball. I find tennis to be one of the more enjoyable sports that also allows you to be social while getting your muscles moving. Interesting new data reveals the popular sport that saw a drastic rise in players in just one year, with more and more people stepping onto the court and more courts opening up here, there, and everywhere.

51% increase in players in one year

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released new data based on an in-depth analysis of pickleball participation and facilities here in the U.S. As one of the fastest-growing sports, pickleball saw a 51.8% rise in players between 2022 and 2023, with a whopping 223.5% increase in participation over the three years leading up to 2024.

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Over one million children picked up a padel and played from 2022 to 2023, showing rising interest across numerous age groups. The South Atlantic region of the U.S. saw the biggest spike of 2.8 million pickleball players in 2023.

Pickleball facilities

Year-over-year, these reports reveal that pickleball facilities are growing by 55%, showing a rapid increase in infrastructure as well as players. These shiny new pickleball courts are the response to the growing demand as more people decide to pick up that paddle and play.

Last year, in 2024, every region in the United States added pickleball courts, and many of the larger metropolitan cities are catching up.

The fastest-growing sports

Racquet sports like tennis and pickleball are the fastest-growing sports in recent years, with pickleball expanding at an unprecedented level, according to the researchers. Pilates, golf, and trail running are also fast-growing.

An interesting Apple Watch study showed that pickleball was actually more popular than tennis for the first time in July of 2023.

Reasons to play pickleball

This interactive sport offers numerous benefits, which explains why it’s been surging in popularity in recent years. I’ve covered many of these science-backed benefits, from improving overall well-being, life satisfaction, and general happiness to boosting heart health and protecting your heart.

Steph Green (Steph Zee) is a singer-songwriter and professional writer with over 12 years of experience in healthcare and… Read Full Bio

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