Pickleball Statistics: Fun Facts About the Growing Sport

It’s not just us obsessed with pickleball! Stats show that pickleball remains the fastest-growing US sport (3 years running!)  with the whole country flocking to pickleball courts. Because pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play, and can be played by all ages, it's no wonder its popularity continues to soar. To show how much pickleball has taken off, the Paddle Experts at JustPaddles put together a list of pickleball statistics to show how much this sport has grown. 

Pickleball is changing as fast as it's growing. Stay up to date with all New Pickleball Rules for 2024!

USA Pickleball Facts and Highlights

• As of 2022, there are an estimated 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals.
• Pickleball participation has grown an average of 158.6% over the last 3 years according to the SFIA.
• Players 18-34 make up the largest percentage of pickleball players at 28.8% nationwide.
• There are currently 10,320 pickleball courts in the United States.

Pickleball Players by Region

While we have seen a rise in pickleball popularity all over the country, but it seems some parts are starting to really boom. Below is a breakdown of pickleball players by different regions of the United States!

• The US region with the highest total number of participants was the South Atlantic Region (Deleware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia) with 1,087,000 or 22.6% of all players.
• The West North Central Region (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) showed the fastest growth in pickleball players at 29.8% year-over-year in 2022.
• Middle-America pickleball hot spots like Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas are among the biggest drivers of the sport's strong recent growth.
• The Middle Atlantic Region (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) showed the slowest growth in pickleball players at 5.8% year-over-year in 2021.

Number of Pickleball Courts by State

With so many new players, the need for courts has grown as well! Thankfully court builders have been doing their part by making the game more accessible for all players. Below you can see the top 10 states with the most pickleball courts! 

• California - 794
• Florida - 770
• Texas - 519
• North Carolina - 421
• New York - 400
• Illinois - 396
• Michigan - 377
• Pennsylvania - 357
• Washington - 348
• Ohio - 337

Pickleball Players by Gender

With both men and women flocking to the court, pickleball is truly becoming one of the more inclusive sports! In 2021, men made up 60.5% of pickleball players  while women made up 39.5% of total players. In terms of growth in the sport though, women grew slightly faster than men at 17.6% year over year compared to men at 13%.

Professional Pickleball Stats

With some of the biggest broadcasting networks in sports now showcasing pickleball,  top professional pickleball players are now becoming household names! Below you can find a few of the current Top Professional Pickleball Players! You can find these rankings at  https://www.ppatour.com/player-rankings/.

Top 5 Ranked Players - Men’s Singles

• Benjamin Johns
• Federico Staksrud
• Tyson McGuffin
• Connor Garnett
• Christian Alshon

Top 5 Ranked Players - Women’s Singles

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Catherine Parenteau 
• Lea Jansen
• Mary Brascia
• Salome Devidze

Top 5 Ranked Players - Men’s Mixed Doubles

• Benjamin Johns
• James Ignatowich
• Riley Newman
• James Johnson
• Thomas Wilson

Top 5 Ranked Players - Women’s Mixed Doubles

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Anna Bright
• Vivienne David
• Jorja Johnson
• Catherine Parenteau

Check out our blog below to see What Pickleball Paddles Are Pros Using! 

In conclusion, the exponential growth of pickleball is not merely a trend, but a testament to the sport's undeniable appeal and accessibility. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global sensation, pickleball has captured the hearts of players of all ages and backgrounds. As we reflect on its journey, we recognize the passion, camaraderie, and spirit that define the pickleball community. With each swing of the paddle and every match played, pickleball continues to unite people and inspire a love for active living. As we look towards the future, let us celebrate the remarkable growth of pickleball and eagerly anticipate the countless memories and milestones yet to come.

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Due to the pickleball statistics, there are hundreds of pickleball paddles on the market which is why we have an entire page dedicated to Pickleball Paddle Reviews! If you need more information, we have the pickleball stats! Give us a call at 1-866-382-3465, email us (experts@justpaddles.com), or utilize our LIVE CHAT to speak with a Paddle Expert today. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!