Pickleball: The Next Big Club Sport

Sara Perry

|

April 20, 2022

|

category

minute read

PUblished

April 20, 2022

Decades after the sport was created, pickleball has captured the hearts of players around the world.

With 38,140 known courts (and countless others set up in driveways across the country), pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US. It has captivated players of all ages, and is quickly becoming a spectator sport with Olympic aspirations.

So what is pickleball, and why is it so popular?

We're taking a closer look at the sport and sharing how your club can thrive with it. But before we can talk about growth, let's talk about why millions of players across the world are embracing pickleball.  

What is pickleball?  

It all started in the summer of 1965 when three fathers started searching for a way to keep their families entertained. After throwing together a badminton net, some ping pong paddles, and a plastic ball, the sport of pickleball was born.  

Played in either doubles or singles, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s played with specialized paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a badminton-size court.  

While pickleball’s popularity has steadily grown in the decades since its inception, it’s become rapidly famous following Covid-19.

According to USA Pickleball, the player base has grown by 39.3% over the last two years. There are an estimated 4.8 million players in the US alone, and that number will keep growing as the sport continues to expand internationally.  

Why is pickleball so popular?  

With millions of players and a presence in over 60 countries worldwide, pickleball has certainly built a passionate fanbase.

Courts are popping up across the country at retirement communities, recreation centers, and restaurants like Chicken N Pickle. The International Federation of Pickleball has even set its sights on the Olympics. But what is it about pickleball that’s so captivating?  

Pickleball is quick to play and easy for anyone to pick up, no matter the age. An average game takes 15 minutes, making it easy for players to fit the sport into their schedule.

The simple rules also make it very beginner friendly. Between the brief playtime and short learning curve, pickleball is perfect for casual players and families.  

Pickleball doesn’t require as much running as tennis due to its smaller court, making it less strenuous on the body. The sport has been particularly popular among older players as a result, with 31% of players over the age of 55.  

The cross-generational appeal and compact court create a friendly social environment as well.

Players are close enough to chat while playing, which has been deeply impactful following the effects of Covid-19.  

How does pickleball affect your club?

As pickleball’s popularity continues to rise, you have an opportunity to grow your club along with it.

To keep your club thriving, you need to both gain and retain members. Leaning in to pickleball’s wide appeal can help you bring new members into the fold. Adding a new offering to your club is also a great way to pique your current members’ interest and increase retention rates.  

People of all ages are finding a new favorite sport in pickleball. It’s here to stay, and with it come new opportunities to grow your club. Stay tuned for the next part of our series where we’ll take a closer look at how introducing pickleball can help you retain members.  

Interested in learning more about how Club Automation can power pickleball at your club? Get a demo today.  

New call-to-action

What’s a Rich Text element?

Thi sis a

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

dadasd

Static and dynamic content editing. A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

ddddd

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

dsadadasdas

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

  • Just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection
  • Any collection and then connect
  • This i any collection and then connect

Into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

other articles

continued reading

How to Boost Gym Revenue with Personal Training the Smart Way

read article
No items found.

How to Boost Gym Revenue with Personal Training the Smart Way

Read Article

Win Back Your Gym Members: How to Create Successful Win-Back Campaigns with Data Analytics

read article

Win Back Your Gym Members: How to Create Successful Win-Back Campaigns with Data Analytics

Read Article

Software Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Your Fitness Club’s Management Software

read article

Software Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Your Fitness Club’s Management Software

Switching club management software is a big decision, but it can be the right one if your current software isn’t meeting your needs. If you’re considering switching software, start here.

Read Article

10 Steps for Evaluating Your Fitness Club’s Website

read article

10 Steps for Evaluating Your Fitness Club’s Website

In a crowded online landscape, regularly analyzing and optimizing your website can help your fitness club stand out. Use these 10 steps to evaluate your website and identify adjustments you can make to increase conversions.

Read Article

Introducing Our Newest Partner: Easalytics, the Analytics and Data Science Platform for Health Clubs

read article

Introducing Our Newest Partner: Easalytics, the Analytics and Data Science Platform for Health Clubs

The Club Automation team is thrilled to announce our partnership with Easalytics, the ultimate analytics and data science platform for health clubs. With Easalytics, health clubs can gain deeper insights into member behavior and improve the member experience, value, and retention.

Read Article

How to Generate Team Buy-In When Switching Club Management Software

read article

How to Generate Team Buy-In When Switching Club Management Software

Transitioning to new club management software is a big decision, and getting your staff on board is critical. Follow these steps to encourage confidence and team buy-in during the transition.

Read Article

How to Launch a New Group Fitness Program at Your Health Club

read article

How to Launch a New Group Fitness Program at Your Health Club

Introducing a new group fitness program at your club may seem like a quick and simple process. You add the new classes to your schedule, post some flyers and classes get booked. Right? As a club leader, you know that’s not the case. However, if it’s not that easy, is there really a right way to introduce a new group fitness program? We think so, and this post outlines a blueprint to successfully starting a new program at your club.

Read Article

Ready to outrival
the best?

Talk to our team and unlock your full potential.

Get a Demo
Get a Demo