U.S. Mint Considers Pickleball: Pickleball may soon be featured on U.S. quarters if it receives enough public support. The U.S. Mint has launched a survey as part of its “Youth Sports” program, which will showcase 20 popular youth sports on the back of American quarters starting in 2027.
Pickleball is among 58 sports being considered for the honor. The public is asked to rank these sports based on their appeal for inclusion. The Mint will then use these rankings to determine which sports will appear on the new series of coins.
Jeff Pritchard, nephew of pickleball founder Joel Pritchard, believes that featuring pickleball on a U.S. coin would be a major milestone for the sport. He also noted that pickleball, while popular with seniors, is well-suited for youth sports too.
“Pickleball appearing on quarters would really put Bainbridge ‘on the map.’ Since coins can survive or circulate for decades, it would really memorialize the sport for the foreseeable future. And most importantly, since the quarter series is about ‘youth sports,’ it would introduce a whole new generation of players to the game and to keep kids active and healthy, as opposed to some of our more traditional sports, which don’t always resonate with today’s younger generation.” – (Jeff Pritchard)
History of Pickleball’s Growth
Pickleball was created in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum to entertain children who couldn’t find badminton equipment.
The sport, originally a backyard activity, quickly grew in popularity. It became the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. between 2020 and 2023, with its public interest tripling.
In 2022, the state of Washington recognized pickleball as its official sport, showing the sport’s rapid growth and increasing influence.
Pickleball is now played by approximately 35 million people in the U.S., with around 20% of players being children. Many schools across the country have adopted pickleball as part of their physical education programs.
Why Pickleball Is Popular with Kids
Pickleball is loved by kids because it is fun, easy to learn, and physically beneficial. It improves hand-eye coordination, provides aerobic exercise, and fosters good sportsmanship.
“While kids love pickleball because it’s fun and easy to learn, it also provides aerobic exercise, improves hand-eye-coordination, teaches good sportsmanship, doesn’t take up a lot of space, and is relatively inexpensive.” – (Jeff Pritchard)
Pickleball’s ease of learning makes it accessible to a wide range of participants. Unlike other racquet sports, which can take longer to master, pickleball allows players to quickly become proficient, making it ideal for recreational play and competitive games. This has contributed to its appeal among all ages, including children.
“I think my favorite aspect of the sport is that one can become relatively proficient fairly quickly — proficient enough to have extended volleys and competitive games. Some other racquet sports can take quite a while to achieve even basic competence. That aspect opens pickleball up to a very wide range of participants.” – (Jeff Pritchard)
Potential Impact of Pickleball on Quarters
If pickleball earns a spot on the U.S. quarter, it would symbolize the sport’s tremendous growth and introduce it to a broader audience.
Featuring pickleball on such a prestigious coin would highlight its place in American culture, particularly among the younger generation. As the sport continues to grow, its inclusion in the quarter series could further fuel its popularity.
The U.S. Mint’s youth sports quarter series will run from 2027, and voting is already underway. Those interested in supporting pickleball can participate in the voting process and help ensure that the sport gets the recognition it deserves.
News in Brief: U.S. Mint Considers Pickleball
Pickleball may appear on U.S. quarters starting in 2027 if it gains enough votes from the public. The U.S. Mint is conducting a survey to select 20 youth sports for a new series of quarters. Pickleball’s inclusion would highlight its rapid growth and encourage younger pickleball players to take up the sport.
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