The popularity of pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, is on the rise, and so is its footprint. According to a report by the Trust for Public Land, the number of outdoor public park pickleball courts in major cities has increased by a staggering 650% in the past seven years. In 2017, less than half of the largest U.S. cities had formalized pickleball courts, but now over 3,000 courts can be found across 100 of the most populated cities in the country. This growth is unprecedented compared to other major park trends like playgrounds, ball fields, and basketball courts.
Cities like Louisville, Kentucky; Madison, Wisconsin; and Honolulu have the most pickleball courts per capita. The sport has been successful in attracting people of all ages and backgrounds to public parks, creating a sense of community and promoting outdoor activity. One company taking advantage of this rapid growth is City Pickle in New York City. Founded in 2022 by Erica Desai and Mary Cannon, City Pickle operates 14 courts in Central Park’s Wollman Rink and has expanded to other locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island City. They offer affordable court access starting at $5 per hour and have seen tremendous success, with 74,000 people booking court time through their app.
However, with the increasing popularity of pickleball, there are concerns about oversaturation in suburban markets. City Pickle is being intentional about their locations and geography to ensure they are not affected by this potential issue. They recognize the need for more courts but want to avoid oversupply.
Another player in the pickleball industry is Pickleball Kingdom, the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility. They recently announced more than 25 new locations throughout the country, bringing their total number of clubs to over 100. CEO Ace Rodrigues expressed excitement about meeting the increasing demand for indoor pickleball.
Gyms are also jumping on the pickleball bandwagon. Life Time, an “athletic country club,” currently has almost 700 pickleball courts across its 170 U.S. locations. They have seen a 51% growth in pickleball players at their clubs in the past year and are converting former retail spaces into fitness facilities with indoor pickleball courts. Life Time founder and CEO Bahram Akradi estimates they have invested around $60 million in adding new outdoor courts and converting existing basketball courts into pickleball spaces. He sees pickleball as a major growth driver for the company.
Private golf clubs have also embraced pickleball. Invited Clubs, the largest owner and operator of private golf clubs, has invested between $10 million and $12 million in the sport over the past three years. CEO David Pillsbury believes that pickleball creates a bustling micro-community within their clubs, attracting active members who are more likely to stay and spend.
Overall, the rapid growth of pickleball is reshaping the sports landscape in America. From public parks to private clubs, pickleball is becoming a staple recreational activity for people of all ages. The investment in new courts and facilities demonstrates the industry’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for this popular sport.
