Pickleball is no longer a small hobby in the United States. The latest participation data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, based on annual research with 18,000 respondents age 6 and older, says 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025. That is a huge 479% increase from 2020, and it places pickleball among the top 25 most-played sports and activities in the country. (sfia.org)
Why is the sport growing so fast? Pickleball combines parts of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, but it uses a smaller court and simple rules. SFIA says its popularity comes from easy-to-learn rules, low cost, and a strong social feeling. Many people can start playing quickly, so friends and families of different ages can enjoy it together. (sfia.org)
Recent reports also show that the sport is changing its image. Many people once thought pickleball was mainly for older adults, but the numbers tell a different story. In the 2024 State of Pickleball report, every age group and every U.S. region showed growth, and the biggest age group was actually adults aged 25 to 34, with 2.3 million players. SFIA’s newer 2025 participation page also says the game is especially strong among young adults, adults aged 25 to 44, and players 65 and older. (sfia.org)
The boom can also be seen in real life, not only in surveys. USA Pickleball said that National Pickleball Month in April 2025 included more than 200 sanctioned events across 44 states and Washington, D.C. Later, in September 2025, USA Pickleball Serves announced a new round of “Grow the Game” grants that would expand access in 28 states and reach more than 300,000 people. Pickleball is growing not only as a sport, but also as a nationwide community. (usapickleball.org)










