Pickleball Courts Per Capita Rankings: A new study by PodPlay Technologies reveals Sarasota, Florida, as the top U.S. city for pickleball courts per capita. Sarasota offers 26.14 courts per 100,000 people, with 38 indoor and 29 outdoor courts across 15 venues. This makes it the best city for pickleball players in 2025.
Florida’s Strong Presence in Pickleball Rankings
Florida dominates the list with Bradenton in second place, having 19.31 venues per 100,000 residents, and Boynton Beach third with 18.55 venues per 100,000. Bradenton features 11 locations, including seven indoor and 40 outdoor courts, while Boynton Beach has 15 locations with nine indoor and 43 outdoor courts. These numbers show Florida’s advantage due to its warm weather, allowing for more outdoor play.
Other Top Cities Across the Country
North Carolina places three cities in the top ten: Apex (4th), Wilmington (7th), and Asheville (8th). Apex has 16.89 venues per 100,000 residents, offering eight indoor and 37 outdoor courts. Wilmington, Delaware, ranks fifth with 13.97 venues, while Knoxville, Tennessee, is sixth with 12.76 venues and the highest total court count among the top cities. Charleston, South Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona, round out the top ten.
State Rankings Highlight Indoor and Outdoor Balance
At the state level, Vermont leads with 10.95 pickleball venues per 100,000 residents, supported by 71 locations including 65 indoor and 175 outdoor courts. Maine follows with 5.41 venues per 100,000, offering a balanced mix of indoor and outdoor courts. Hawaii ranks third, then South Dakota and Idaho complete the top five.
Expert Insight on the Findings
Ben Borton, Co-Founder of PodPlay Technologies, explains, “These findings reveal which areas have embraced the pickleball trend and highlight how different regions adapt based on their weather patterns. Florida cities make the most of endless sunshine with plenty of outdoor courts, while northern states like Vermont and Maine ensure year-round play through a significant number of indoor courts.”
Study Method and Data Sources
The study analyzed Places2Play data on pickleball court locations in the U.S. It included cities with at least 10 pickleball venues, calculating courts per 100,000 people using U.S. Census Bureau data. The rankings reflect both indoor and outdoor courts to show full pickleball access across regions.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts Per Capita Rankings
Sarasota, Florida, ranks highest for pickleball courts per 100,000 residents with 26.14 courts. Florida cities dominate the top three spots. Vermont leads states with nearly 11 venues per 100,000. The study by PodPlay Technologies highlights how weather affects court availability and regional pickleball growth.
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