South Atlantic Region Emerges as Pickleball Powerhouse: The South Atlantic region is staking its claim as the new capital of pickleball in the U.S., outpacing other areas in terms of dedicated courts. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), this stretch of states—comprising Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas—boasts an impressive 7,571 pickleball courts. This total is nearly double the number found in the East North Central region, which includes Ohio and Illinois, where there are only 4,397 courts.
South Atlantic Leads the Charge in Pickleball Growth
The South Atlantic’s dominance can be traced to a combination of factors, starting with its favorable climate. The region is known for mild winters and abundant sunshine, making it the ideal location for outdoor pickleball, a sport that thrives in the open air. While Florida has long been a pickleball hotspot, other states in the region have now followed suit, responding to a surge in demand for courts.
Municipalities and private developers alike are investing heavily in new pickleball facilities—everything from massive, state-of-the-art complexes to smaller neighborhood courts.
The rise in new court construction comes as participation in the sport has jumped by 51.8% nationwide in just the last year. The response to this surge in interest has made the South Atlantic region the undisputed leader in court availability.
The Challenge in Other Regions
While the South Atlantic is seeing rapid growth, other regions are facing challenges. For example, the Mountain region, home to popular states like Arizona and Utah, has struggled to keep up. Although states like Colorado are adding courts, they have not been able to match the pace of the South Atlantic.
As participation in pickleball continues to rise, the competition to build infrastructure is intensifying. The Mountain region, despite its outdoor-friendly environment, is seeing its court-to-player ratio decline, while the South Atlantic expands rapidly to meet growing demand.
South Atlantic Sets the Bar High with Court Availability
To put the South Atlantic’s lead into perspective, consider the national average of 2.3 dedicated courts per 1,000 players. The South Atlantic region far surpasses this number, with its vast network of courts making it the clear leader in the pickleball revolution.
As infrastructure continues to expand, the region seems poised to maintain its dominance over the coming years, even as other regions like the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic also experience growth.
News in Brief: South Atlantic Region Emerges as Pickleball Powerhouse
The South Atlantic region, which includes Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, has emerged as the U.S. leader in dedicated pickleball courts, with 7,571 facilities, nearly double that of the East North Central region.
This surge in court construction comes in response to a nationwide 51.8% increase in pickleball participation last year. While the Mountain region struggles to keep up, the South Atlantic’s favorable climate and growing infrastructure are setting the stage for continued growth in the sport.
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