How many people play pickleball worldwide? The Pickleball Clinic's Global Pickleball Report recently tackled that all-important question.

The final estimate draws on a range of data sources, including national surveys, federations, and major research.

There are approximately 22 million active pickleball players, meaning those who have played at least once in the past year, drawn from figures across the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Spain, India, and the Philippines.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), 19.8 million Americans played pickleball in 2024.

Canada contributes an estimated 1.54 million players, Australia approximately 92,000, and England and Spain combined about 60,000 documented players. India adds an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 players, while the Philippines reports 18,000 registered participants.

Tremendous progress in Asia

The Global Pickleball Report estimates that China has approximately 60 million pickleball players, while 2025 research from UPA Asia indicates that 812 million people across Asia have played at least once.

The latter number suggests roughly one in five people in Asia have played pickleball—a reach most recreational sports take decades to achieve.

Asia clearly holds the most promise for pickleball’s next boom, thanks to its population and a strong culture of sports like table tennis and badminton.

Taking all available data into account, an estimated 80–120 million people globally have played pickleball at least once in their lives.