Why is pickleball so popular? A peek into the viral sport (2024)

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Why is pickleball so popular? A peek into the viral sport? ›

Pickleball, a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has seen a massive surge in popularity in recent years. It's accessible, easy to learn, and encourages social interaction, making it a hit among people of all ages.

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. It is a game that is appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels. Rules for pickleball are simple, making it a great introductory sport.

The sport saw some success in the following years. However, it really gained momentum in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With many team sports off-limits, people turned to pickleball as a socially distant way to stay active. The game's low barrier to entry escalated its popularity.

It's easier on the joints

Compared with sports like tennis or running, pickleball puts a lot less stress on your joints and muscles. Thanks to the smaller court size, pickleball players don't have to travel as far to keep the ball in play, reducing the strain on their knees, hips, and ankles.

“In pickleball, you're hitting a plastic wiffle-like ball, so it's less bouncy and doesn't fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it's shorter and lighter than a tennis racket.” You also serve underhand in pickleball, and underhand serves are easier to hit and return.

The first known tournament followed in 1976. By 1990 the sport had spread to all 50 states, according to USA Pickleball. The USA Pickleball Association was established in 2005; its membership reached 10,000 in 2015 with as many as 2 million playing nationwide at that point.

Among the reasons older adults love pickleball: The court is small enough that you don't need to move much to hit the ball, especially if you're playing doubles. The game encourages players to socialize. There's none of the frustration factor that accompanies sports like golf.

The sunny state of Florida takes the crown as the ultimate pickleball destination, with its abundance of top-notch courts, vibrant pickleball communities, and year-round sunny weather that beckons players to enjoy this thrilling sport.

Don't overdo it.

You may be tempted to play pickleball every day, but your body needs rest. If you have sore muscles or joints, use ice to reduce inflammation.

Pickleball has been named America's fastest-growing sport for the third year in a row in the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Topline Participation Report. The report shows participation grew 51.8% from 2022 to 2023.

What is the number one growing sport in the United States? ›

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the USA for the third year in a row, was created as a “game for everyone.” Did you know?

Since pickleball is becoming increasingly popular, selling equipment rentals and memberships can be very lucrative. If the location of your pickleball courts can also accommodate an eatery, food and drink sales can take profits to the next level.

One of the reasons pickleball has become so popular is because (almost) anyone can play. You will see players out on the court from 5 years old to 90+ years old. Compared to other sports, there is a low (but never zero) chance of injury, a low cost to entry, and it is not too physically strenuous.

Yes, a 70-year-old can play pickleball. The sport's adaptability suits all ages, including seniors. It provides low-impact exercise, improves balance and flexibility, and nurtures social connection, offering a holistic approach to well-being. Age is just a number, and pickleball knows it.

Pickleball is a form of cardio, Howes says, so the faster and longer you play, the more it will get your heart pumping and the more calories you'll burn. The Lose It! app estimates that someone who is 150 pounds and plays pickleball for 60 minutes using light effort will burn 214 calories.

Pickleball is generally considered easier than tennis, due to its smaller court size, lighter equipment, and simpler rules. The reduced court dimensions make movement less demanding, while the lightweight paddles and plastic balls contribute to a more accessible learning curve.

How Pickleball Got Its Name. In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within days, Joan Pritchard had come up with the name “pickle ball”—a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters in the “pickle boat” of crew races.

Bone fractures related to pickleball have increased 200% over the last 20 years. As pickleball's popularity has skyrocketed, so have the number of serious injuries among players.