The 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report was released by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Pickleheads in November, and the key takeaways shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Pickleball is thriving across America and continues to trend in the right direction in every conceivable way.

"Over the past three years, pickleball has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with a remarkable 51.8% growth from 2022 to 2023 and an astounding 223.5% surge overall. This rapid growth for a sport with such a large base is unprecedented, setting pickleball apart from the other sports that SFIA tracks," wrote Alex Kernan, the Senior Director of Research for the SFIA. "The sport's unique appeal, social nature, national media coverage, and accessibility have undoubtedly contributed to its explosive rise."

The report also indicates that pickleball players tend to become hooked on the game.

Hitting the court is simply addictive. 

"One standout feature of this growth is the substantial increase in CORE participation, which grew by 111% year-over-year. This uptick is crucial because CORE participants, who form the backbone of any sport, are indicative of pickleball's lasting appeal. CORE participants are highly engaged and more committed, leading to a more stable and dedicated player base," explained Kernan. "This growth in CORE participation shows that pickleball is not just attracting casual players, but converting them into regular, devoted participants."

Speaking of the participants themselves, there is good news to report in that department as well.

More and more young people are picking up a paddle.

"Pickleball's popularity spans all age groups. In 2023, the highest number of participants fell within the 25–34 age range, totaling 2.3 million players. Additionally, over 1 million children under the age of 18 joined the sport between 2022 and 2023, dispelling the myth that pickleball is only for older Americans," noted Kernan. "This cross-generational appeal highlights pickleball’s versatility and its ability to bring together diverse groups of people. The significant increase in youth participation also suggests a promising future for the sport as these young players grow and continue to engage with pickleball."

This means that more and more courts will need to be constructed in short order.

That is happening, but it will ultimately need to speed up to meet growing demand.

"Total facilities grew by 25% in 2024, but of that, dedicated facilities led the way, growing 55% year-over-year. This is clear evidence players are demanding dedicated space for pickleball and decision makers have the confidence to invest and meet that demand," shared Brandon Mackie, Co-Founder and CEO of Pickleheads. "Despite the encouraging growth in facilities, challenges remain ahead. Getting court availability on par with the top 25% of cities we track will require constructing 24,000 courts at an estimated cost of $855 million over the next 5-7 years."

From a location standpoint, pickleball participation grew most notably in the South Atlantic region of the United States - including Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia - with 2.8 million players joining the fun.

That represents a 50% increase compared to 2022.

The 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report is available for purchase for $150 for SFIA Members and $350 for non-members by clicking here.