Pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in the U.S.
Recently, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released the 2024 Sports Participation Top Line Report, revealing a strong growth trend in participation in various sports and fitness activities. The report tracks the participation rate of people aged 6 and above in 124 different sports, fitness and outdoor activities in the United States, and provides trend analysis over the past decade, in-depth data on inactive people, and investigates Americans' interest in new activities in 2023.
Of all sports and fitness activities, pickleball stands out at an alarming rate, becoming the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the third year in a row. From 2022 to 2023, the participation rate of pickleball increased by 51.8%, and the cumulative growth in three years reached 223.5%. This significant growth reflects not only the appeal of pickleball itself, but also the healthy growth in overall participation in racket sports. 13.6 million Americans participated in pickleball in 2023, putting the sport's participation on par with baseball (16.7 million) and outdoor soccer (14.1 million), and even surpassing skiing (13.1 million).
The rapid growth of pickleball can be attributed to several key factors. First, it is an easy-to-learn sport suitable for all ages and skill levels, which makes it an ideal activity to share among families and friends. Second, pickleball has relatively low requirements for the venue, which means that people can play this sport in a variety of environments, whether it is a community center, a fitness club or an outdoor park. In addition, pickleball has a strong social attribute and can promote community interaction and connection.
As Americans pursue a more active lifestyle after the pandemic, the growth in participation in pickleball and other sports indicates a positive trend. SFIA President and CEO Tom Cove said these participation figures are positive signals for both the country and the industry. He emphasized that the industry's mission is to meet people's pursuit of an active lifestyle by providing positive sports and fitness experiences as well as innovative and inspiring products.
In addition, the number of colleges and universities participating in pickleball has more than doubled from 16 to 36.
In summary, the rapid rise of pickleball not only reflects people's desire for a healthy and active lifestyle, but also shows the importance of racket sports in the sports landscape in the U.S. As participation continues to grow, pickleball will undoubtedly continue to attract more people and become a bright spot in the sports and fitness field.