Seattle Is Not the Pickleball Capital of the U.S.: Although Seattle is where pickleball originated, it’s not the U.S. city with the highest participation. A new survey by Nielsen reveals that while 8.2% of Seattle-area adults played pickleball in the past year, other cities, like Phoenix and Dallas, have more active players.
Pickleball Grows Across the Country
Pickleball has seen a huge surge in popularity, with over 4.8 million Americans now playing the sport. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., and many more pickleball courts are being built to meet demand.
Nielsen’s survey included a new question about pickleball participation for the first time, showing just how far the sport has come.
Despite its origin in Bainbridge Island, Washington, Seattle’s weather plays a role in its relatively low ranking. With rainy winters, Seattle lags behind sunnier locations like Phoenix, where outdoor pickleball courts are used year-round. Even Minneapolis, with its cold winters, had a higher participation rate than Seattle.
Participation Rates Across U.S. Cities
According to Nielsen’s survey, 8.2% of adults in Seattle played pickleball in the last 12 months, with about 367,000 people enjoying the game.
In contrast, Phoenix and Dallas had higher participation rates, thanks to their favorable weather for outdoor pickleball courts. The Seattle market, which includes the Puget Sound area, had 1,900 participants surveyed between February and August 2024.
A Gender Gap in Pickleball Participation
The survey also found a gender gap in pickleball participation. In Seattle, 10% of men played pickleball in the past year, compared to 6.5% of women. This trend was similar in other major U.S. cities.
Appeal to All Ages
Pickleball is known for being a low-impact sport, which makes it attractive to older players. However, younger people are also getting into the game.
In Seattle, the sport was most popular among those under 35, with around 10% of young adults participating. The median age for pickleball players in the city was 44 years old.
Significance of Pickleball’s Growth
Pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity has created a rising market for new pickleball facilities and events. As more indoor pickleball courts are built to meet demand, cities across the U.S. are investing in outdoor pickleball courts to provide space for tournaments and casual play. The growth of the sport is helping foster communities and build social connections.
News in Brief: Seattle Is Not the Pickleball Capital of the U.S.
Pickleball is growing quickly across the U.S., but Seattle, where the sport originated, doesn’t rank No. 1 for participation.
According to a Nielsen survey, 8.2% of Seattle adults played pickleball in the last year, with sunnier cities like Phoenix and Dallas seeing higher participation rates.
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