Pickleball’s TV Appeal Grows: For years, pickleball enthusiasts have been battling the narrative that their sport struggles to make an impact on television. However, recent developments suggest that the tide may be turning. While streaming numbers haven’t yet hit new highs, behind the scenes, pickleball has secured significant deals with networks and investors, resulting in unprecedented visibility for the sport.
Record-Breaking Exposure
The PPA Tour is a prime example of this growth. Recently, viewership numbers for the PPA Tour have soared. Connor Pardoe, a key figure in the PPA, took to LinkedIn to showcase the impressive statistics from the San Clemente event held in June:
- 926,000 broadcast views
- 380,000 hours watched on YouTube
- 11,888 attendees and 1,333 unique players
- 8.71 million social media impressions with a 5% engagement rate
These figures were even surpassed by the Utah PPA stop in August, which saw a remarkable 3.3 million views across all platforms. For perspective, the final day of the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open, a premier golf event, drew 2.38 million viewers. The Utah PPA stop’s performance underscores the growing appeal of pickleball.
Positive Trends in Ticket Sales
The skepticism surrounding in-person ticket sales for pickleball events is being challenged by the PPA’s metrics. According to a representative, ticket sales are anticipated to rise by 73% from 2023 to 2024. This trend is indicative of a broader industry forecast, with experts predicting a continued rise in viewership and a 40% increase in pickleball’s popularity over the next five years.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s TV Appeal Grows
Pickleball is gaining traction in visibility and viewership. The PPA Tour’s recent events, including stops in San Clemente and Utah, have set new records with impressive broadcast and streaming numbers. The San Clemente event alone attracted nearly 1 million broadcast views and 380,000 hours watched on YouTube.
The Utah stop surpassed even the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open’s final day viewership with 3.3 million views. Moreover, ticket sales for the PPA are projected to increase by 73% from 2023 to 2024, with pickleball’s popularity expected to grow by over 40% in the next five years.
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