The Rise of Pickleball — Why It's the Fastest-Growing Sport in America

For years, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States. With over 19.8 million participants in 2024, it's surging in popularity from community courts to major tournaments. Learn why it's popular, what's driving the sport's growth and how to sustain the momentum by creating safe, accessible spaces to play.

Why Is Pickleball Popular?

Players nationwide have embraced pickleball as their new favorite activity. The court has the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court, using a net similar to a tennis net. During play, participants use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball, following rules that incorporate elements of tennis and badminton. It's fun, fast-paced and appealing to a wide range of participants. 

• Accessibility: This sport is incredibly accessible, allowing people of all ages and athletic abilities to quickly pick it up. The rules are simple to understand — even people who haven't played similar sports can get familiar after some practice.

• Multigenerational aspect: Everyone can enjoy a game of pickleball, from families with young kids to groups of older adults looking for low-impact exercise. Its adaptable nature allows players of different skill levels to enjoy the game together. This multigenerational appeal contributes to its widespread popularity and makes it an excellent way for families, friend groups and communities to bond.

• Community building: There's a natural social aspect to pickleball that makes it a go-to sport for community building. The brief games encourage players to rotate partners and socialize. Plus, the club culture surrounding pickleball creates opportunities for players to connect with others who share their passion for the sport.

• Inclusive pace: As a low-impact alternative to tennis, pickleball is ideal for people with joint issues or anyone seeking a less strenuous workout. Despite its gentler nature, pickleball still challenges and engages players. This balance makes it an appealing option.

• Indoor and outdoor play: You can play pickleball regardless of the weather. All you need is a court, a racket, a ball and an opponent. It's convenient and accessible, no matter where you live.

  
  

The Health and Wellness Benefits of Pickleball

Of course, pickleball isn't only an exciting new sport to try with friends. It provides plenty of health benefits to keep players active — a top reason for its implementation in schools, parks and older adult programs.

In particular, pickleball offers a fantastic workout that boosts cardiovascular fitness, agility, balance and reaction time. The fast-paced nature keeps your heart rate up, improving your endurance and cardiovascular health. Plus, quick movements and strategic plays enhance agility and balance, while the need to react swiftly to the ball works your reflexes.

Pickleball is also lower-impact than other court sports, which explains its popularity among older adults. Players can enjoy a safe, joint-friendly activity by warming up, stretching, playing with a partner and avoiding overly strenuous movements like backhands.

Beyond the physical benefits, pickleball offers cognitive and social advantages. The game's social interaction encourages connections and reduces stress, supporting players' mental well-being. The engaging and enjoyable aspects of pickleball also make it easier to stick with as a regular exercise routine.

Top Drivers of Pickleball Growth in 2025

As more players pick up a racket and head to their local court, communities are responding to pickleball's massive growth. Cities across America have added courts to local recreation centers, and private clubs are investing in play areas for members. Even schools are repurposing unused spaces like old basketball courts to meet demand.

Part of why pickleball is booming — beyond the actual benefits of the sport — is that it's relatively easy to convert facilities to accommodate it. Set up a few courts in existing areas like gymnasiums or community centers, and you can instantly maximize your space. Quick modifications to existing tennis courts make the process even simpler.

This growth has also brought tournament visibility. USA Pickleball, the sport's national governing body, hosts the Pickleball National Championship, and several official pickleball leagues have emerged in recent years. These games are gaining mainstream coverage — in August 2025, Major League Pickleball broadcast to an average of 433,000 viewers on CBS, one of the most-watched professional pickleball matches ever.

Bringing Pickleball to Your Community

Those interested in embracing the pickleball phenomenon can take a few steps to introduce it to their communities. Facilities managers and developers usually start with a site assessment. Many property owners have converted tennis courts into pickleball courts. This option generally requires repainting lines and adjusting nets according to proper court dimensions. Then, you can expand as participation grows.

Investing in brand-new pickleball courts is a more extensive endeavor, but the demand exists in plenty of communities. Specifically, indoor facilities allow for year-round play, no matter the weather. With aisles, spectator lanes, divider curtain zoning, storage and crowd seating, indoor courts are the perfect environment for hosting everyone from casual players to local leagues.

As you evaluate your facility options and community expectations, work with professional consultants to design and install your pickleball courts for safe, fun and competitive play.

How to Keep Pickleball Safe and Enjoyable

Creating a fun, engaging pickleball experience starts with safety. Like any court sport, pickleball comes with hazards, from flying stray balls to sudden collisions. While some responsibility falls on the players, facility managers can make a notable difference in decreasing risks.

Create Proper Court Flow

While designing your pickleball courts, keep flow top of mind. Each court should have the correct dimensions, with clear walkways to help players stay out of each other's way. To maximize your space, separate playable areas with court containment choices like barrier mesh.

Separate Players and Spectators

Whether you only build a few outdoor courts or an entire facility for indoor competitive play, remember that sports naturally attract spectators. Give them somewhere comfortable to sit and watch the action. For example, you could add a couple of benches for each court or incorporate designated stands for crowds. Be sure to keep spectator seating completely separate from the courts for safety and visibility.

Maintain Courts Consistently

Nobody wants to play on a dirty, run-down-looking court. Encourage players to return by removing debris, repairing torn nets, fixing surfacing issues and keeping your facility clean. When a staff member or player reports a maintenance problem, close the court until you can resolve it.

Choose the Right Safety Fencing Solutions

Pickleball fencing makes a huge difference in player safety and convenience. Traditional chain fences are rust-prone and potentially dangerous, adversely affecting the player experience. Many facilities are now installing modern solutions that are safer, easier to remove and visually appealing.

At Grand Slam Safety, we provide pickleball court safety containment systems that limit injuries. No matter your facility plans, we can support your needs with high-performing fencing and curtains.

• Grand Slam Safety has developed our Court Containment System for full-court, side-court and end-of-court surrounds. Our design features heavy-duty support poles and a 4-foot-high tensioned mesh fence with two options for anchoring. The design promotes fast setup and takedown, so you can quickly maximize your space's use. 

• VISTA motorized divider curtains are ideal for multisport complexes. These indoor curtains have a bottom-lift, pull-fold design that reduces wear and quick reconfiguration for leagues and tournaments. Plus, you can customize them to your needs — all with a 10-year limited warranty.

• Sports complex netting is a versatile solution for spectator protection and ball containment. Canopy netting is a wise choice if you need to protect indoor lighting or HVAC systems or want to keep balls from reaching upstairs viewing areas.

  
  

Choose Grand Slam Safety for Pickleball Fencing Solutions

It's no surprise that pickleball continues to draw crowds. With accessible play, the opportunity to make friends and plenty of wellness benefits, pickleball is the perfect sport for millions of Americans.

Keep the momentum going by creating safe, welcoming courts.

Are you ready to get started with your pickleball court design? Let Grand Slam Safety bring your vision to life, complete with high-quality pickleball court fencing, barrier netting and divider curtain solutions. Request a consultation today.