Global Pickleball Travel Trends Surge: Pickleball continues to grow fast, drawing players and fans around the world. In 2024, nearly 20 million Americans played the sport. That’s a 46% jump from 2023 and a 311% increase since 2021, based on the 2025 Sports & Fitness Industry Association report. Now, resorts and travel brands are building pickleball into luxury vacations.
The sport has now been the fastest-growing in the United States for four years in a row. It’s not only catching on in the U.S., but also gaining popularity in places like the United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and India. Many players are older adults with higher incomes, making it a perfect fit for resort destinations.
Big Events Bring Big Crowds
In Naples, Florida, the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships has become the biggest annual pickleball event. The 2025 tournament, sponsored by Margaritaville, brought over 55,000 fans and 3,450 players from all 50 states and 40 countries.
“We’re seeing an increase in people not only attending the championship event, but also coming to the destination for instruction and classes year-round. So as pickleball continues to evolve as a sport, Naples will continue to be the recipient of that additional visitation from ‘pickleball vacationers,’” said Sandra Rios, Public Relations and Communications Manager at Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Mesa, Arizona, also hosted a major event in 2024. The USA Pickleball National Championships welcomed more than 2,600 athletes and 10,000 fans from 47 states and 13 countries.
Resorts Add Pickleball to Vacation Packages
Sandals Resorts became the first all-inclusive resort brand to work with USA Pickleball. In 2025, they added 64 new or upgraded pickleball courts across 14 resorts. Guests now enjoy unlimited play and can take lessons from coaches approved by USA Pickleball.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina, offers special pickleball vacation packages. These include training clinics, tournaments, and extra resort perks.
International resorts are getting involved, too. Club Med Cancún will host the North and South America Pickleball Cup in December 2025. This event highlights the growth of the sport in Mexico and beyond.
The Future of Pickleball Looks Bright
With more people playing and more resorts offering pickleball activities, the sport is likely to keep growing. Its mix of fun, fitness, and travel continues to draw both beginners and serious players. Tournaments, training, and vacation packages are helping it spread around the world.
News in Brief: Global Pickleball Travel Trends Surge
Pickleball is now a top sport for both fun and travel. Nearly 20 million people played in 2024, with growth in the U.S. and other countries. Resorts like Sandals and Club Med now offer pickleball courts and vacation deals. Events in Florida and Arizona drew huge crowds and show no signs of slowing down.
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