Pickleball is the Future of Sports: Pickleball continued its rapid rise in 2024, showing no signs of slowing down. Over the past three years, the sport has grown by an astonishing 223.5%, attracting a younger audience than ever before, with the largest age group being 25–34-year-olds. The future of pickleball looks even brighter, with projections indicating that the sport will surpass tennis participation in the U.S. by the end of 2027.
Record Growth in Participation and Revenue
Pickleball is expected to hit nearly 30 million players by 2028, and by 2033, pickleball’s economic impact will reach $4.4 billion.
Tennis legend Novak Djokovic even weighed in on the pickleball surge, declaring that tennis faces serious competition from the rising popularity of pickleball and paddle sports.
Major Professional Leagues
In a historic move, Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) merged in February 2024 to form the United Pickleball Association (UPA). This merger strengthened the professional landscape, leading to an expanded PPA tour with 25 events across the U.S. Throughout the year, MLP also hosted several combined events with the PPA.
Sponsorship opportunities boomed in 2024, with a 50% year-over-year increase, and fan attendance surged by 40%. Revenue from ticket sales even exceeded that from amateur registration for the first time. The year also saw the debut of MLP’s Minor League for amateur players in September.
Meanwhile, the APP tour introduced a new amateur format and launched a professional team competition. Their major investment included a new professional pickleball stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, set to open in early 2025. The facility, known as “The Fort,” boasts 43 courts, including a dedicated pickleball stadium.
Pickleball on TV and Streaming
2024 marked a significant milestone in pickleball’s visibility, as major broadcasting networks like Fox, CBS, ESPN, and Amazon Prime aired pro pickleball tournaments.
In addition, PickleballTV, a streaming service launched in 2023, gained momentum in 2024, offering tournament coverage, coaching tips, and exclusive shows for subscribers.
Rising Salaries for Pro Players
2024 was also a breakthrough year for professional pickleball players, who saw their salaries increase substantially. The average player earned $260,000, surpassing the salary of WNBA players.
Collectively, pro players earned over $30 million, not including endorsement deals. Ben Johns, the #1 male player, earned more than $2.5 million, while #1 female player Anna Leigh Waters made over $3 million, marking a tenfold salary increase for both from 2021.
New Player Rating System
To level the playing field in tournaments, the DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) system was integrated with Pickleball Brackets in 2024. This system is helping ensure fairer competition across the numerous amateur tournaments that take place nationwide.
Tackling “Hot Paddles”
The emergence of powerful “hot paddles” has raised safety concerns within the sport. The UPA-A (United Pickleball Association – Americas) was created in 2024 to regulate and grow the sport at the professional level.
This new body is addressing the issue of unsafe paddles that cause balls to fly off at dangerous speeds. In response, the UPA-A introduced a paddle testing and certification process for professional tournaments.
Expanding Facilities and International Growth
As pickleball grows in popularity, the demand for more courts is increasing. Across the U.S., every region added new pickleball courts in 2024. Dedicated pickleball facilities grew by 55% year-over-year, and indoor pickleball franchises also expanded.
Internationally, professional leagues began targeting global markets to expand the sport. The APP has made inroads in countries like India, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Sweden.
Furthermore, a partnership between the United Pickleball Association and Global Sports aims to bring MLP and PPA to India by 2025-26, with plans for a full 12-team MLP season. The leagues are also eyeing major Asian markets, including China, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore, for 2025.
Looking Ahead
With continued growth in participation, sponsorships, and international expansion, pickleball is assured to maintain its upward trajectory in 2025 and beyond. As professional leagues continue to evolve, players, fans, and investors are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the sport’s exciting future.
News in Brief: Pickleball is the Future of Sports
Pickleball had a remarkable 2024, with massive growth in participation, sponsorship, and player salaries. Major leagues like MLP and PPA merged, while TV coverage expanded.
The sport is assured to overtake tennis by 2027 and reach $4.4 billion by 2033. International expansion is also on the horizon.
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