Pickleball’s Breakthrough Year: The Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) celebrated a historic year in 2024, marked by a significant merger and unprecedented growth. The season showed the top athletes, record attendance at events, and thriving business opportunities within the sport.
Major Milestones
The merger between the PPA Tour and MLP set the stage for an exciting season. Anna Leigh Waters excelled, finishing the year ranked PPA World No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She also earned MLP season MVP honors. Federico Staksrud made history as the first male player, other than Ben Johns, to achieve a PPA World No. 1 ranking in men’s singles.
Attendance soared as more than 320,000 fans attended PPA Tour and MLP events, a 40% increase from 2023. This year was also significant for revenue, with ticket sales surpassing amateur registration for the first time. Over 27,000 players participated in amateur tournaments throughout the season.
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Broadcast and Social Media Growth
The sport’s visibility expanded dramatically, with over 350 hours of national broadcasts on platforms like FOX, CBS, ESPN, and Amazon Prime. The PPA Mesa Arizona Cup attracted 501,000 viewers, making it the largest-ever pro pickleball TV audience. Fans engaged extensively on social media, with PPA and MLP followings increasing by 40%. YouTube video views rose 33%, totaling over 50 million views.
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Increased Opportunities for Professionals
The percentage of pro qualifier registrations in PPA events nearly doubled from 7% in 2023 to 16% in 2024, thanks to improved compensation opportunities. The 130 professional pickleball players under contract with MLP and the PPA Tour collectively earned more than $30 million this season. Female athletes on the PPA Tour and MLP earned an average salary of $260,000, surpassing the highest-paid WNBA player’s annual salary.
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Sponsorship Growth
Investment in pickleball is increasing, with more than 50 sponsors supporting the PPA Tour and MLP. Sponsorship revenue rose by 50% over the previous year. Partners engaged fans beyond traditional methods, such as Carvana’s “Road to the PPA Finals,” which included a car giveaway and a trip to the finals.
Looking to the Future
The future of pickleball looks bright, especially with the largest number of players aged 25-34 and over 1 million children under 18 joining the sport between 2022 and 2023. The 2024 season introduced the Junior PPA Tour, aimed at developing young players through competitions and activities. This new initiative saw over 1,100 athletes aged 8 to 16 compete in 17 events across the country.
Overall, 2024 marked a turning point for pickleball, bringing increased visibility, professional opportunities, and engagement. As the sport continues to grow, the impact of these changes will resonate across all levels of play.
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News in Brief: Pickleball’s Breakthrough Year
The Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) celebrated a historic 2024, highlighted by a merger and record growth. Anna Leigh Waters dominated, finishing ranked PPA World No. 1 in all categories, while attendance soared to over 320,000—up 40% from 2023.
Broadcast hours exceeded 350, and professional earnings surpassed $30 million. Sponsorship revenue grew by 50%, and the Junior PPA Tour launched, attracting over 1,100 young athletes. The season marked a pivotal moment for pickleball, enhancing visibility and opportunities within the sport.
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