Exploring the Global Growth of Pickleball: From China to Canada to Australia
The pickleball craze is taking the world by storm, with more and more people picking up a paddle and hitting the courts. With 13.6 million people trying the sport last year alone, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and its popularity is spreading globally.
But the big question on everyone’s mind is: when will pickleball reach the Olympics? While it won’t be part of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, there is hope for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. To become an Olympic sport, pickleball must be widely played in 75 countries and on four continents for the men’s slate, and in 40 countries and on three continents for the women’s slate.
Pickleball already has several international federations working to grow the sport globally, including the International Pickleball Federation (IPF), the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), and the Global Pickleball Foundation (GPF). These organizations are focused on providing resources, equipment, and tournament support to help pickleball gain recognition on the international stage.
Across the world, pickleball looks different in each country. In China, the sport is rapidly gaining popularity, with predictions of 10,000 courts and 100 million players within five years. In Canada, pickleball is on the rise, with more women and young people joining in on the fun. And in Australia, interest in pickleball has doubled in just one year, with the potential for one million players in the near future.
With pickleball’s global growth and the push for Olympic recognition, it’s clear that this sport is here to stay. Whether you’re playing in China, Canada, Australia, or anywhere in between, pickleball is bringing people together and creating a community of passionate players around the world.
