The SFIA released the findings from a special study, performed in collaboration with Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), a privately held tech company that operates a global pickleball player rating system and mobile application, which found that pickleball engagement remains strong among avid players, with over 90 percent playing at least twice a week, 48 percent wanting to increase their play frequency and 57 percent planning to participate in more organized pickleball over the next 12 months.

The study also found that over 90 percent of players plan to maintain or increase their purchases of pickleball equipment over the next 12 months. Among those who reported their annual expenses, the highest individual cost was facility fees, averaging $913 per year. Other commonly reported expenses included lessons ($688), tournament fees ($517) and equipment, such as paddles, balls and shoes, which exceeded $600 annually.

The findings were based on a survey of approximately 1,100 players from DUPR’s database conducted by Sports Marketing Company USA between April 22 and June 3.

Within the surveyed group, there was a healthy mix of advanced, intermediate and beginner players. In terms of frequency, advanced players were the most active, with nearly 70 percent playing more than three times per week. This compares to roughly 57 percent of intermediate players and just 35 percent of beginners. About 70 percent of surveyed players started playing within the last three years, underscoring the sport’s rapid growth. Meanwhile, around 15 percent of players reported playing for six years or more.

Motivations to Play Pickleball
The study found that pickleball appeals to players for a multitude of reasons. When asked what they enjoy about playing pickleball, the top answer was physical exercise, cited by 93.9 percent of respondents, followed closely by fun and enjoyment (92.9 percent), the competition (88.2 percent), and the social aspect (83.2 percent).

The SFIA states, “It is clear that Americans are increasingly prioritizing their mental and physical well-being, a trend that accelerated following the pandemic. Pickleball offers a unique combination of social interaction and physical activity, making it an ideal outlet.”

Coming in somewhat lower, but still cited by more respondents than most, was learning a new skill, which was mentioned by 60.9% of respondents.

When asked about the most important factors for playing pickleball, health benefits ranked first (49 percent), followed closely by having fun (48.4 percent). Other key factors included the social environment (23.7 percent), spending time with friends and family (21.1 percent), and proximity to courts (18 percent).

Across all skill levels, health benefits and fun were consistently the top two motivators. Specifically, among advanced players, these two factors were tied for first, with each cited by just over 40 percent as most important. Compared to advanced players, beginners prioritized affordability, social environment, proximity to courts, and flexible playing times, while intermediate players emphasized court accessibility, meeting new people, and spending time with friends and family. Advanced players, uniquely, valued tournament availability and facility quality more than other groups.

Considering age groups, older participants placed more importance on health benefits, while fun was slightly more valued by both the youngest and oldest age groups.

Pickleball’s Participation Surge

The study includes the SFIA’s participation data, showing that pickleball has experienced consistent year-over-year growth for the past decade, but has accelerated over the last three years, quadrupling its player base from just under 4.8 million participants to 19.8 million.

The SFIA report found that pickleball experienced a significant surge in popularity during the pandemic, as people sought safe and engaging activities. The report states, “Pickleball was uniquely suited to that moment: it’s accessible, easy to learn and can be played in a variety of settings — from driveways and streets to parks and gyms. It’s also highly social, offering connection at a time when many were craving interaction. With its outdoor-friendly format and small group play, pickleball quickly became a go-to option for millions — and it is fun, which certainly helped.”

Pickleball also stands out for its appeal across age groups, as most sports tend to appeal significantly to a few age brackets and are often overlooked by others. The two age cohorts sharing the most appeal for pickleball are those over 65 years old and adults between the ages of 25 and 34.

Pickleball Fandom Grows
With increasing television coverage of pro pickleball, the study found the sport is attracting a sizeable fan base.

When respondents were asked whether they follow professional pickleball, defined as any professional league including the PPA, MLP, APP, and others, 25 percent identified themselves as avid followers. Another 40 percent said they were occasional followers, while just under 22 percent reported not following any professional league. While most leagues established themselves less than a decade ago, the signing of broadcast deals with major television networks in recent years is helping drive visibility and potential fan engagement, according to the report.

Asked how they stay updated with professional pickleball, 65.7 percent of surveyed respondents indicated they do so via live broadcasts (TV or online), and 51.9 percent through social media. Additionally, 61.3 percent of survey respondents reported turning to social media for news and events related to pickleball in general, followed by their local pickleball community (56.3 percent) and dedicated forums/websites (56.2 percent).

Challenges to Pickleball Play

The most cited challenge to pickleball play was overcrowded courts, with 44 percent of respondents identifying this as a barrier. Despite significant investments in new courts and facilities over the past few years, demand continues to outpace supply. The SFIA stated that with communities making investments, this issue is likely to become less of a problem soon.

Closely following this concern was the difficulty in finding players of similar skill levels, noted by 39.2 percent of respondents. Many players also struggle with finding suitable playing partners, with 31.9 percent citing this as a challenge. Additionally, 26.1 percent of those who participated in the survey reported limited court time as a barrier to regular play.

The report found that, unlike many other sports, cost was not a major obstacle for respondents who are avid players. SFIA stated, “Core participants tend to be more willing to invest financially in the sport and are often open to traveling longer distances to play.”

With pickleball being the fastest-growing sport over the last four years, the rate is not expected to be sustainable. However, the sport is poised for continued expansion in the near future, thanks to investments in dedicated pickleball courts and facilities. SFIA states in the report, “These spaces are critical to the sport’s long-term success. They enhance the player experience, foster community and help retain participants by making play more accessible and enjoyable. For a sport that has already captured the attention of millions, pickleball’s future looks bright, and there’s still plenty of room to grow.”

Image courtesy PicklePlex of Punta Gorda, Florida