Mark Miller Pickleball World Record: Mark Miller, a coach in the Chicago suburbs, set a new record on Monday, July 15, 2025, for the world’s largest pickleball lesson. A total of 444 children, ages 3 to 12, joined his Munchkin Program at the event held in partnership with the professional pickleball team Chicago Slice.
Hundreds of Kids Pick Up Paddles
The lesson took place in the northern suburbs of Chicago and drew hundreds of young participants. Coach Mark Miller led the massive lesson with support from members of Chicago Slice, one of Major League Pickleball’s top teams.
Last year, Miller set the record with more than 300 kids. This year, he surpassed it.
“We’ve got 444 kids. So, guess what? I’m breaking my record,” (Mark Miller).
A Sport for the Next Generation
Nine-year-old Evelyn Macon was one of the many young players on the court.
“It’s really fun because it’s also kind of like tennis, and you can play with the other people, and you can get to know them,” (Evelyn Macon).
The event wasn’t just about learning the game. Some children left feeling inspired to pursue the sport more seriously.
“Kids want to grow up and be then in the NBA, NFL… hopefully one day they’ll be like, ‘I want to be in the MLP,’”
said Maddie Moeke, a pickleball player from Chicago Slice.
Growing the Sport Among Youth
The Munchkin Program focuses on introducing kids ages 3 to 12 to pickleball in a fun and friendly way. Mark Miller said the goal is to expand the program into the City of Chicago and help more kids, especially those from underserved communities.
According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, there were nearly 20 million pickleball players in 2024—an increase of 45% from the previous year.
Building a Bigger Future for Pickleball
This record-breaking lesson shows how fast pickleball is growing, especially among young players. With more support from professionals and programs like Miller’s, the sport could soon become a popular choice for kids dreaming of future careers in sports.
News in Brief: Mark Miller Pickleball World Record
Mark Miller held the world’s largest pickleball lesson on July 15, 2025, in suburban Chicago, with 444 kids participating. The event, backed by the Chicago Slice team, aimed to grow interest in pickleball among young children and beat last year’s record of 300 participants.
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