Pickleball Canada Social Sports Boom: More Canadians are choosing fun, easy, and social sports like pickleball, padel, climbing, and disc golf. These activities are growing fast across Canada as people look for new ways to stay active, healthy, and connected. Cities are building more courts and gyms to meet the rising demand.
People are turning away from only playing traditional sports or going to the gym. Instead, they’re picking activities that are relaxed, welcoming, and enjoyable. These include pickleball, stand-up paddleboarding, ultimate frisbee, cricket, and more.
A New Way to Stay Active
Activities that used to be seen as hobbies are now very popular. On summer evenings, Canadians can be seen playing pickleball, climbing at gyms, or trying padel. These sports are fun and easy to learn, so people of all ages and abilities can join in.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped this shift. During lockdowns, gyms were closed, and people had to find new ways to move. Many discovered that being active didn’t have to feel like work. It could be enjoyable and social. Social media also helped more people try new sports through fun videos and tutorials.
Pickleball and Padel Are Leading the Way
Pickleball is growing fast in Canada. According to Pickleball Canada, 1.54 million Canadians are playing the sport in 2025. That’s a 57% increase over the last three years. Padel, already popular in Europe and Latin America, is now growing in big Canadian cities because it’s fun and simple to play.
Other signs of this shift include more paddleboard sales, the rise of spikeball, and climbing’s debut at the Tokyo Olympics. These sports are fresh, easy to access, and made for fun, not pressure.
Helping People Move and Feel Better
Being active is good for the body and mind. But many Canadians don’t meet the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, which say adults need 150 minutes of active time each week, plus strength training, enough sleep, and less sitting.
Alternative sports can help fill this gap. They improve fitness, strength, and coordination. But just as importantly, they support mental and emotional health.
A study by Canadian researchers looked at 28 studies on pickleball players. The results showed it helps with mental and social health, especially for older adults.
Fun, Social, and Easy to Stick With
Many of these sports are built on friendship and connection. People chat, laugh, and often have snacks or meals together after playing. This helps them feel part of a group.
“Positive social and psychological effects — in addition to health and fitness benefits — were evident, particularly for older adults,” one study found.
Climbing and bouldering help build mental strength too. Climbers often try the same route many times before succeeding. This builds patience, focus, and self-confidence.
When people enjoy what they’re doing, they keep doing it. That’s called intrinsic motivation — being active because it feels good, not just because you “have to.”
Easy to Start, Hard to Stop
What makes these activities popular is that they’re simple to try. People don’t need fancy gear or top fitness levels. A pair of shoes and a rented paddle can be enough to start.
They’re also gentle on the body and welcome everyone. Many are intergenerational and focused more on having fun than on winning.
Across Canada, cities are investing in this trend. Parks and old buildings are being turned into pickleball and padel courts. There were 136 climbing gyms in Canada in 2021. By 2024, that number grew to 169.
These sports help people build physical literacy — the skills and confidence to stay active for life. That can lead to better health and fewer chronic diseases later on.
The Big Picture
Sports like pickleball, padel, and climbing are booming because they’re fun, friendly, and easy to join. More Canadians are seeing that staying active doesn’t have to be hard or boring. It can start with simply trying something new and enjoying it.
“Positive social and psychological effects — in addition to health and fitness benefits — were evident, particularly for older adults,” the study of pickleball players concluded.
As summer continues, this may be the perfect time for more people to give these exciting new sports a try.
News in Brief: Pickleball Canada Social Sports Boom
Pickleball and other fun, easy sports are booming in Canada. More people want to be active in ways that are social, flexible, and enjoyable. Cities are adding courts and gyms to meet demand, as these sports help improve health, build community, and keep people moving — all while having fun.