Pickleball’s 60th Anniversary: Pickleball is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. The game was first played in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. Over the past six decades, the sport has grown in many ways, from who plays the game to the equipment used and how big it has become across the world.
Changing player demographics
In the early years, pickleball was played by family and friends in small groups near where it began in Washington. It later became popular among older adults and retirees. Today, the sport is younger and more diverse.
According to a 2023 study by the Association of Pickleball Players, the average age of a player is 34.8 years. Over 70 percent of players are between 18 and 44 years old.
The study also found that from 2022 to 2023, the number of players aged 35 to 44 increased by 86 percent. Among serious players, 62 percent are male and 38 percent are female. Among casual players, 57 percent are male and 43 percent are female.
Advancements in paddle technology
In 1965, the inventors used table tennis paddles and badminton rackets. For the first 20 years, most players used wooden paddles. This began to change in 1984.
That year, Arlen Paranto, a Boeing engineer, made the first composite pickleball paddle. He used fiberglass and graphite honeycomb panels, the same material used in airplanes. He made 1,000 paddles from these materials.
While wooden paddles were still common, newer materials started becoming the standard in tournaments. In the past 10 years, paddles have improved more than ever. Players now use paddles made of carbon fiber, fiberglass, graphite, and even foam.
How the game grew
Pickleball grew slowly in its first 20 years. From 1965 to 1984, the inventors and local fans helped spread the sport in small areas. In 1984, two major things happened: Arlen Paranto invented the new paddle, and USA Pickleball was founded. USA Pickleball released the first rulebook and began promoting the sport across the country.
In 1990, pickleball was played in all 50 states. Over the next three decades, the sport advanced step by step. Equipment companies like Selkirk helped push the sport forward, but it stayed small.
That changed in 2020. According to USA Pickleball, by January 2025, there are 62,260 members and nearly 70,000 courts in the U.S. There are also 1,100 certified officials and almost 1,500 registered coaches through Pickleball Coaching International.
In 2024, there were 142 USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments. The number of players also skyrocketed. A report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association found that nearly 20 million people in the U.S. played pickleball in 2024.
In 2019, that number was only 3.46 million. A 2023 study by the Association of Pickleball Players said that nearly 50 million Americans played pickleball at least once in the past year. Pickleball is now played on at least six continents.
What it means
Pickleball has changed a lot since it started on a backyard court. It has gone from a family game to a sport with millions of players worldwide. Its players are younger, its gear is more advanced, and its popularity is still growing. As it turns 60, pickleball looks ready for even more change.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s 60th Anniversary
Pickleball turns 60 in 2025. The sport has grown from backyard games in Washington to a global sport with millions of players. The average age is now under 35, and paddle technology has advanced. Pickleball is played in all 50 U.S. states and on six continents worldwide.
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