Pickleball’s Glow-Up: How the Sport Went from Backyard Hobby to Global Phenomenon

Pickleball’s Glow-Up: How the Sport Went from Backyard Hobby to Global Phenomenon

Once upon a time (okay, like five years ago), pickleball was that quirky sport you might have seen your retired uncle playing at the community center. Fast forward to today, and it’s everywhere—your neighbors play it, celebrities are investing in it, and even your CrossFit-loving friend admits, “Yeah, it’s kinda fun.”

So, how did this happen? How did pickleball go from a low-key pastime to the fastest-growing sport in America (and beyond)? Let’s rewind and take a look at the wild evolution of pickleball over the past five years.

2019: The “Wait, What’s Pickleball?” Era

Ah, 2019—a simpler time. Back then, pickleball was still that weird sport with a funny name that most people couldn’t define. The dedicated players loved it, but mainstream sports fans? They were too busy debating LeBron vs. Jordan to care.

  • The U.S. had about 3.3 million pickleball players in 2019, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
  • Pro pickleball? Barely a thing. A few tournaments existed, but let’s just say ESPN wasn’t exactly fighting to broadcast them.
  • If you mentioned “dinking,” most people thought you were talking about a broken shopping cart wheel.

Still, the game was growing, mostly fueled by retirees and backyard enthusiasts. But then… the world changed.

2020: The Pandemic Push (Or, How We All Became Pickleballers)

When the world shut down, people needed an escape. Enter pickleball:

  • It was outdoors (a win for social distancing).
  • It was easy to learn (unlike, say, chess or sourdough baking).
  • It was fun (which we all desperately needed).

Pickleball became the pandemic’s unsuspecting MVP. Courts popped up in driveways, parks, and empty parking lots. By the end of 2020, participation skyrocketed to 4.2 million players—a 21% increase from the year before.

And let’s be honest: It also helped that TikTok got involved. Viral videos of teenagers smacking wiffle balls against their parents? Classic.

2021: The Year Pickleball Hit the Big Leagues

By now, the sport was no longer just for retirees or pandemic hobbyists. Pickleball had swagger.

What happened?

  • Major League Pickleball (MLP) was founded, bringing pro teams, draft picks, and serious prize money into the mix.
  • Big-name athletes and celebs started jumping on board—LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Tom Brady all became investors in pro teams. (Because clearly, winning Super Bowls and NBA rings wasn’t enough.)
  • Pickleball injuries spiked. Why? Because people were now playing hard—and realizing that even though it looks easy, running down a lob shot can humble you real quick.

By the end of 2021, pickleball had over 4.8 million players and wasn’t slowing down.

2022: The Year of the Takeover

At this point, pickleball was everywhere. Gyms and tennis clubs scrambled to convert courts. Homeowners’ associations fought over noise complaints (pickleball is not a “quiet” game). And if you didn’t have a friend begging you to “just try it once,” were you even living in 2022?

Key moments:

  • The first-ever MLP Championship was broadcast live, and it was electric.
  • Pickleball injuries became a $400 million issue (yes, really). Turns out, diving for a ball in your 40s isn’t always a great idea.
  • Pickleball memes took over the internet. The phrase “one more game” became a running joke—because let’s be real, it’s never just one more game.

By the end of 2022, pickleball was officially the fastest-growing sport in America.

2023: The Year of Legitimacy

Now that pickleball had millions of players and billions in investments, people started treating it like a real sport (not just something you played at the family barbecue).

  • ESPN, CBS, and Tennis Channel all started broadcasting pickleball tournaments.
  • Courts were popping up everywhere. From country clubs to local parks, it seemed like everyone was making space for pickleball.
  • The U.S. had over 8.9 million players—a 158% increase from 2020.

Oh, and the noise complaints? Yeah, those got worse. But let’s be honest: A little “pop-pop” sound is a small price to pay for this much fun.

2024 and Beyond: The Future of Pickleball

So, what’s next? If the last five years are any indication, pickleball isn’t just a fad—it’s a movement.

Predictions for the next five years:

  • Olympic Pickleball? It’s a real possibility. The push to make pickleball an official Olympic sport is gaining traction.
  • More pro leagues, more money. Prize pools are growing, and we might even see pickleball players pulling in salaries like top NBA or NFL stars.
  • Pickleball tech. Expect smarter paddles, AI-powered training apps, and who knows—maybe even VR pickleball?
  • SMP to absolutely dominate. The best pickleball crew in the world, and it WILL be proven.

Final Thoughts: A Sport for the Ages (And All Ages)

The past five years have taken pickleball from niche pastime to national obsession. It’s easy to see why:
✅ It’s simple to learn.
✅ It’s incredibly social.
✅ It’s way too much fun.

Whether you’ve been playing for years or you’re just now realizing, “Wait, maybe I should try this,” the good news is—it’s never too late to grab a paddle and join the fun.

So, to all the doubters who once asked, “What even is pickleball?”—well, now you know. And if you’re not playing yet… what are you waiting for? 

XOXO SMP

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