Canadian Pickleball Faces Price Hike: Canadian pickleball players and retailers are feeling the impact of newly imposed tariffs on U.S.-made sports equipment, including paddles essential to the game. On March 13, Canada introduced a 25% tariff on U.S. imports in response to American trade policies, significantly affecting pickleball enthusiasts and businesses in British Columbia.
Tariffs Drive Up Prices for Players and Retailers
Pickleball, a rapidly surging sport in Canada, has seen a 25% increase in registered members from 2023 to 2024, according to Pickleball Canada. The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, with paddles—mostly from U.S. brands—being the primary equipment. The new tariffs have made these paddles more expensive for Canadian buyers.
Cara Arding, owner of Pickleball Depot, one of Canada’s largest online pickleball equipment retailers, expressed concern over the rising costs. “It’s probably going to make huge waves in the pickleball industry,” she said.
Arding, whose business operates from Vernon and Kelowna, said she anticipated the tariff’s effects and placed a bulk order before the policy took effect. Despite this, her costs have already increased. “Ultimately, you know, we’ll only be able to hold those… old prices so long until we start having to make some adjustments,” she noted. “The end consumer is, unfortunately, going to see some price increases.”
Retailers and Players Look for Alternatives
To counter the higher costs, Arding is shifting her focus to Canadian paddle brands and working directly with Chinese manufacturers to create private-label products. “It’s super important for Canadians right now to be able to buy—even if it’s not Canadian-made or manufactured—[a product] that is coming from a Canadian company that designed it within Canada, that has that Canadian content,” she said.
Landon Kitagawa, president of the Delta Pickleball Association, acknowledged the growing trend of Canadian players looking beyond U.S. brands. Pickleball paddles can range from $80 to over $400, and he expects more players to turn to online retailers like AliExpress or Temu for cheaper options. “It’s quite a new thing where I’m seeing more and more of those paddles start to find their way into the courts, and performance-wise, people seem OK with them,” he said.
However, Kitagawa warned that not all paddles qualify for tournament play, as they must be certified by Pickleball Canada. He also suggested that Canadian manufacturers could gain an advantage in the market if the tariff situation continues. “If all things being equal, in terms of… paddles manufactured in China, they could find themselves at an advantage,” he said.
Potential Long-Term Effects on the Sport
With the tariffs raising prices and shifting supply chains, the Canadian pickleball industry may undergo significant changes. More Canadian brands may emerge, and businesses might rely on international manufacturers to meet demand. Players could also reconsider their purchasing habits, balancing cost with performance needs.
As the trade dispute continues, the future of pickleball equipment pricing remains uncertain. In the meantime, Canadian retailers and players are adjusting to the new reality of higher costs and changing supply sources.
News in Brief: Canadian Pickleball Faces Price Hike
Canada’s 25% tariff on U.S.-made pickleball paddles is raising costs for players and businesses. Retailers like Pickleball Depot are shifting to Canadian and Chinese-made equipment. Players are exploring cheaper alternatives online. Experts say Canadian manufacturers could benefit from the policy if the trend continues.
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