Pickle Economics

The Pickleball Boom: A Growing Sport

The pickleball boom is real, with over 36.5 million people playing from August 2021 to August 2022, according to a report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP). This marks a significant increase from the previous year, where participation was at 5 million players.

The 2023 APP Pickleball Participation report, conducted by YouGov, revealed that 14% of Americans played pickleball at least once during this period, and over 8.5 million played more than eight times. The sport's popularity now rivals traditional sports like golf, basketball, and tennis.

High-profile athletes have also contributed to pickleball's rise by investing in professional teams. The sport has become a hot investment, with team ownership costs in the low seven-figure range. Major sponsors such as Holland America, Anheuser-Busch, Skechers, and Carvana have recently joined the pickleball movement.

Across the country, tennis courts are being converted into pickleball courts, attracting significant investments. For instance, the Santa Monica Tennis Center invested $250,000 in a pickleball facility, while developers in Sarasota, Florida, invested $180 million into a 15-court facility.

The pickleball restaurant-entertainment model is also gaining traction. Entrepreneurs are opening venues like Chicken N Pickle and Camp Pickle, capitalizing on the sport's popularity.

Pickleball participation has surged at upscale fitness centers like Life Time, which has invested heavily in new courts and offers lessons, social play, and competitive leagues. Equipment makers, such as Selkirk Sport, are experiencing rapid growth, with major retailers seeing year-over-year sales increases of over 100%.

Originally created in 1965 in Washington state, pickleball saw a significant boost during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its social and low-cost nature. While boomers dominate the sport, younger players are increasingly participating.

Despite its rapid growth, pickleball faces challenges such as noise complaints and league consolidation. However, experts believe the sport's popularity will continue to rise, potentially even becoming an Olympic event.

Pickleball's explosive growth shows no signs of slowing down, with increasing participation, investment, and media coverage. The sport's accessibility and social aspects make it a favorite among diverse age groups and communities.