Sports & Fitness Participation Research & Industry Insights
U.S. Pickleball participation
Pickleball continues to reshape the American sports landscape. Explore the latest U.S. pickleball participation statistics, growth trends, and player demographics from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the trusted source for sports and fitness participation research.
The Stats
Pickleball by the numbers
24.3M
U.S. players
2025 participation
+479%
Five-year growth
2020-2025
7.5M
CORE players
Played 8+ times in 2025
43%
Female players
2025
Pickleball Participation Continues to Surge
From 4.2 million participants in 2020 to 24.3 million in 2025, pickleball has experienced extraordinary growth. The sport has now ranked as America's fastest-growing sport for five consecutive years.
But the story is evolving beyond the total number of players. Participation is expanding across age groups, female participation is increasing, and millions of Americans are playing regularly. These trends present new opportunities for sporting goods brands, facility operators, retailers, and organizations investing in the sport's future.
Who Is Playing Pickleball?
Pickleball's participant base is becoming increasingly diverse. Teens and young adults ages 13–24 now have the highest participation rates of any age segment, challenging the perception that pickleball is primarily a sport for older Americans.
Women accounted for 42.9% of pickleball participants in 2025, up from 38.6% in 2020. Meanwhile, CORE participation has grown substantially, signaling increasing engagement among frequent players.
Explore our pickleball research
Pickleball Participation Report
Understand who is playing and how the sport is growing. Explore U.S. participation trends, demographic breakdowns, and casual and CORE engagement to inform market sizing and audience planning.
Pickleball Market Playbook
Get to know the avid players behind the market. Explore playing habits, equipment spending, purchasing decisions, and brand preferences to guide product development and marketing.
Methodology
How We Measure Sports & Fitness Participation
Reliable decisions require reliable data.
SFIA is a founding member of the Physical Activity Council (PAC), a coalition of leading organizations that conducts the nation's largest annual study of sports and fitness participation. Partners include National Golf Foundation, Outdoor Industry Association, Health & Fitness Association, United States Tennis Association, USA Football, SnowSports Industries America, and People for Bikes.
This consistent methodology allows organizations to compare participation trends over time and make decisions based on credible, independent research.
Still have questions about our methodology? Get in touch.
→ Since 2007 the study has used the same methodology
→ 18,000+ Americans ages 6 and older surveyed each year
→ Nationally representative sample weighted to U.S. Census demographics
→ 126 activities measured today, with new activities added over time
Looking for Something More Specific?
If you are not sure which report best fits your needs, or your research question requires a deeper analysis, our research team is here to help.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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In 2025, 24.3 million Americans ages 6 and older played pickleball, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). This represents a significant increase from the 4.2 million participants recorded in 2020. SFIA tracks pickleball participation annually through its nationally representative sports and fitness participation research.
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Yes. Pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, according to SFIA research. Participation increased approximately 479% between 2020 and 2025, growing from 4.2 million to 24.3 million players. The sport's continued expansion reflects its growing appeal across generations and levels of experience.
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Pickleball is popular across generations, but teens and young adults ages 13–24 have the highest participation rates of any age group, according to SFIA's 2025 participation data. While pickleball is often associated with older adults, its growing popularity among younger Americans demonstrates the sport's broad appeal. SFIA's Pickleball Single Sport Participation Report provides detailed player demographics by age.
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In 2025, approximately 7.5 million Americans were classified as CORE pickleball participants, meaning they played eight or more times during the year. CORE participation helps distinguish frequent players from those who participate occasionally, providing insight into player engagement and the sport's developing market.
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Pickleball attracts participants across age groups, genders, and income levels. In 2025, women represented 42.9% of U.S. pickleball participants, compared with 38.6% in 2020. Younger Americans are also increasingly engaged in the sport. SFIA's Pickleball Participation Report provides detailed demographic breakdowns, including age, gender, household income, and geographic region.
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The Sports & Fitness Industry Association publishes annual pickleball participation statistics through its Single Sport Participation Reports. For deeper market insights, SFIA's Pickleball Market Playbook explores player motivations, purchasing behavior, equipment preferences, and brand profiles. Together, these resources help sporting goods companies, retailers, facility operators, and investors understand the growing U.S. pickleball market.