Pickleball has experienced remarkable growth in the United States, earning the title of the fastest-growing sport with participation rising from 4.2 million players in 2020 to approximately 22.7 million in 2024. However, a recent Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) report indicates that while the sport’s popularity remains high, the rate of growth is slowing, with a 14.7% increase projected for 2025 compared to much larger jumps in previous years. This plateau suggests pickleball may be entering a phase of stabilization rather than explosive expansion.
The slowdown in growth could be beneficial, allowing infrastructure to catch up with demand. Despite a 55% increase in dedicated pickleball facilities and a 23% rise in total courts in 2024, there remains a significant shortage of courts, especially in urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which still fall far below the national average in court density. To address this, the industry estimates an $855 million investment is needed to build 24,500 new courts over the next 5-7 years to fully support the sport’s growing player base.
