Austin Named America’s Pickleball Capital in 2024, According to TeachMe.To
Pickleball Craze Takes Over Austin, Named America’s Pickleball Capital
The sport of pickleball has been steadily gaining popularity across the United States, but one city in Texas is leading the charge like never before. With over 100 facilities within its city limits, Austin has been crowned as “America’s Pickleball Capital in 2024” by TeachMe.To, a sports coaching platform for beginner athletes.
According to a recent report, Austin’s dominance in the pickleball scene can be attributed to its perfect storm of year-round playing weather, tech-forward facilities, and the youngest average player demographic in the country. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people play pickleball at least occasionally in the greater Austin area, with 3,000 to 3,500 players registered members of the Austin Metro Pickleball Association.
Finding a game to play in Austin is not a challenge, as court reservation systems consistently show high utilization rates during peak hours, with growing waitlists for prime playing times. The city’s approach to the sport extends to corporate involvement, with major tech companies integrating pickleball facilities into their campuses.
The rankings from TeachMe.To evaluated cities across various categories, with Austin scoring an impressive 91 out of 100. Adrian Montoya, the founder of Eastside Paddle Club in Austin, attributes the sport’s popularity in the city to its ease of play, sociability, and established popularity.
In addition to Austin’s top ranking, two other Texas cities made it to the Top 10 pickleball cities in the country. Dallas secured the third spot with 45 courts and 8,500 active players, while Houston claimed the eighth spot with 22 courts and 5,200 active players.
The Top 10 pickleball cities in the U.S. are as follows: Austin, New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, Scottsdale, Seattle, Houston, Miami, and St. Petersburg. It’s clear that the pickleball craze is here to stay, with Austin leading the way in this rapidly growing sport.
