Meteoric Rise of Pickleball Players: The pickleball landscape has undergone dramatic changes over recent years, marked by significant fluctuations in growth rates and player demographics. From a modest increase of 11.30% in 2017 to a staggering 85.70% in 2022, the sport’s popularity has surged. Player numbers have soared from 3.1 million in 2017 to 13.6 million by 2023. Regional and demographic distributions further reveal the sport’s widespread appeal, while income trends highlight the evolving economic profile of its participants.
Stats of Pickleball Players
Steady Growth and Major Increases
- In 2017, there were approximately 3,132,000 pickleball players in the U.S. This number grew to 3,301,000 in 2018 and 3,460,000 by 2019.
- The year 2020 saw a significant rise to 4,200,000 players, driven by the sport’s alignment with social distancing trends. Player numbers continued to climb to 4,820,000 in 2021.
- The most dramatic growth occurred in 2022, with the player base nearly doubling to 8,900,000. By 2023, the number of players surged to an impressive 13,600,000, showcasing a remarkable increase in interest and participation.
Pickleball Players by Region
Regional Distribution
- The South Atlantic region leads with 1,087,000 players, covering states such as Florida and Georgia.
- The East North Central region follows with 801,000 players across states like Ohio and Michigan.
- The Pacific region, including California and Oregon, has 780,000 players.
- Mid-Atlantic region, which comprises states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, hosts 675,000 players.
This distribution highlights pickleball’s widespread popularity across various U.S. regions.
Demographic Distribution of Pickleball Players
1. By Age
The age distribution of pickleball players reveals diverse participation.
- 6 to 17: Those aged 6 to 17 make up 21.20% of players, with 14.20% as core players and 23.90% as casual players.
- 18 to 34: The largest segment is ages 18 to 34, comprising 28.80% of players, with 16.80% as core and 33.50% as casual.
- 35 to 54: The 35 to 54 age group represents 20.40%,
- 55 to 64: Hold 12%
- 65 & above: This group comprises 17.60%. The older age brackets show higher percentages of core players, indicating strong engagement among seniors.
2. By Gender
The gender distribution among pickleball players shows a notable disparity:
- Males: Represent 60.50% of the player base.
- Females: Account for 39.50%.
This suggests a dominant male presence and highlights the potential for growth in female participation through targeted marketing and program development.
Economic Trends
From 2014 to 2022, the income score among pickleball players varied. Starting at 1.83 in 2014, it increased to 2.43 by 2018 before peaking at 2.83 in 2019. However, economic fluctuations led to a decline, with the score falling to 2.61 in 2020 and further to 1.90 in 2022. This trend reflects shifts in the economic status or spending power of the pickleball-playing community over time.
News in Brief: Meteoric Rise of Pickleball Players
The pickleball market experienced fluctuating growth rates from 2017 to 2022, with a dramatic surge to 85.70% in 2022. Player numbers increased from 3.1 million in 2017 to 13.6 million in 2023. Regionally, the South Atlantic leads with 1,087,000 players, while gender distribution shows a 60.50% male majority.
Demographically, players are diverse in age, with the 18-34 group being the largest segment. Income scores among players have varied, peaking in 2019 but dropping significantly in recent years.
ALSO READ: TopZpin Launches Kids Pickleball Program in Saskatoon
