Take a wild guess: how much has pickleball grown over the last three years?

80%? 100%? 150%?

Nah. The latest data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reveals a staggering 311% surge in pickleball participation over the past three years alone.

More on that below:

20 Million Strong

There’s multiple ways to measure how many people have played pickleball. But the real number should focus on how many people regularly play, that’s far more telling.

The latest report says nearly 20 million people played regularly in 2024, marking a remarkable 45.8% increase from 2023.

And that group is getting younger: the largest subsection of participants is aged 25-34, accounting for 16.7% of all players.

Some more interesting stats from the study:

• Older players are also flocking to the courts, with 15.4% of participants over 65

• 1 million players under the age of 18 joined the game last year

• The number of pickleball facilities in the U.S. grew by 55%, reaching nearly 70,000 courts

• An estimated $855 million in court construction is required to meet the increasing demand

• The pickleball industry is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2023 to $7.9 billion by 2033, driven by equipment sales, court construction, tournaments, & digital purchases

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity across all age groups, it’s clear that the sport’s future is not just about participation, but about creating a thriving, accessible community for players of all levels.

Keep scrolling to see which states have the most promise for more growth.

Mastering the Bait Ball: A Sneaky Strategy

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: It’s time to turn pickleball into a mental game. One increasingly popular tactic gaining traction is the bait ball—a clever shot designed to lure your opponent into making a move you can easily counter.

It’s a shot that intentionally looks attackable but isn't quite high enough for a powerful strike. The goal is to bait your opponent into speeding up the ball, often with a flick or an aggressive shot, in an area you’ve already predicted.

So, how does it work, and when should you use it?

The Mechanics of a Bait Ball

1. Floating it: The shot is just high enough to tempt your opponent, forcing them to flick or speed up their return without the opportunity for a powerful downward strike.

2. Anticipation: Since you know your opponent’s likely response, you can position yourself to intercept their counterattack.

3. Positioning: Proper placement is key. Whether it’s near the sidelines or around the backhand flick zone, positioning yourself well ensures you can capitalize on the incoming shot.

Where to Place It

• Backhand: Many players struggle with their backhand, so a bait ball here tempts them to flick the ball, giving you a chance to counter.

• Middle: Statistically, most players aim their speed-ups down the center. Knowing this can help you position accordingly with your partner.

• Sidelines: A well-placed bait ball near the sidelines forces opponents to handle tricky angles, reducing their offensive options.

Defending a Speed-Up

When facing a bait ball, it’s crucial to anticipate the likely speed-up.

The best defense: Slide into position and be prepped for a backhand, ensuring you can return the ball with control, especially when your opponent speeds up the play.

A Pro Paddle for Power and Control?

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Put THIS in Your Bag: Underrated Gear, Part 1

The next two issues of this newsletter will feature a couple more pieces of gear that we think every pickleball player should have. This week, though, we’re starting from the bottom…

You may think pickleball shoes are a basic must-have, but we do see lots of players on the court rocking shoes designed for tennis, running, or — shudder — sometimes, we see people playing in flip flops (don’t try that at home).

So we thought it’s worth it to explain the why behind pickleball-specific shoes.

Pickleball shoes (or properly designed court shoes) offer:

✔ Grip & Traction – A specialized outsole keeps you steady on indoor and outdoor courts, reducing the risk of sliding out of bounds.

✔ Lateral Support – Quick side-to-side movements require reinforced stability, something running shoes lack.

✔ Shock Absorption – Protect your knees, joints, and back from constant impact.

✔ Durability – More pivots, lunges, and hours on the court? Court shoes can handle that.

Injury Prevention: Your Ankles Will Thank You

Rolled ankles, knee pain, and even the dreaded “pickleball ankle” are all too common when wearing improper footwear.

If you’re serious about your game (and your joints), investing in the right shoes isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Your ankles, knees, and future self will thank you.

🔗 More pickleball footwear advice here.

Around the Picklesphere

🥥 Pickleball in the Caribbean?! Book your perfect vacay
🐻 Courts can hibernate just like bears
🚗 Traveling to a tourney? What to bring
🧑‍🎓 UVA announces first-of-its-kind pickleball partnership

Pickleball Country

Sure, pickleball was founded in Washington, but where is the sport’s true capital? A new study from Action Network ranks all 50 states based on pickleball courts, Google search volume, and online interest to determine which regions are most obsessed.

The top 5 pickleball-obsessed states include:

Vermont 🍁 – Leading the pack, Vermont boasts the highest number of courts per capita (10.9 per 100k residents) and a massive volume of pickleball-related Google searches.

Utah 🏜️ – The Beehive State claims the highest Google Trends score (100/100), reflecting its surging pickleball enthusiasm.

Hawaii 🌊 – With nearly 19,000 pickleball-related searches per 100k residents and 89 venues across the islands, Hawaii secures third place.

Maine 🦞 – With 122 courts statewide and a strong search volume, Maine earns its place in the top five.

Minnesota ❄️ – Home to 251 courts and a high Google Trends ranking, Minnesota rounds out the top pickleball-obsessed states.

The Least Pickleball-Interested States

At the bottom of the list: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma report the lowest pickleball interest, with fewer courts and minimal search activity.

Southern states appear slower to adopt pickleball, probably due to any of the following factors:

Climate challenges: Extreme heat and humidity make outdoor play less comfortable, limiting year-round participation.

Sports culture: Traditional Southern sports like football and basketball dominate, making it harder for pickleball to gain attention.

Fewer retirement communities: Pickleball initially thrived in retirement hubs, which are less concentrated in some Southern states.

Limited infrastructure: Fewer public courts and recreation centers mean fewer opportunities to play and grow the sport.

Growth is coming: Metro areas like Atlanta and Dallas are rapidly expanding their pickleball scenes, signaling a shift in adoption.

But with the sport’s rapid growth, that could change soon.

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