Pickleball on the Rise: APP’s 2023 Pickleball Participation Report Reveals Astonishing Growth
The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) has unveiled the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report, a study conducted by YouGov on behalf of the APP that shows an astonishing level of growth for the sport of pickleball in the 12 months from August 2021 to August 2022. The report found that 14% of adult Americans (36.5 million people) played pickleball at least once in that 12-month period, and 8.5 million people played pickleball eight times or more in 2022. This growth looks set to continue, with 45% of the 36.5 million total players saying they plan to play pickleball more often in the next six months than the previous six-month period.
Tom Webb, Chief Marketing Officer of the APP, commented that “the first of what will be our annual APP Participation Report clearly shows that Pickleball is not only America’s fastest-growing sport, it is growing much faster than anyone really thought. Thus, Pickleball must now be seen as one of America’s favorite sports.” In 2020, the year of the pandemic, it was previously reported that more than four million people had taken up pickleball*. By 2021, that number had supposedly grown to over five million*. It seems, however, these estimates were too low; the American Pickleball Association's report shows that the game has skyrocketed in popularity. Courts are being built and installed all over the country, and people from all sides of the nation are trying out pickleball and instantly falling in love with it. The APP is proud to represent the millions of people coming to the sport, from professional athletes at the highest level of the game who are gaining recognition and appreciation, to the amateur players who are essential to the growth of the organization, and all the way to the millions of recreational players who delight in a sport that is easy to learn, low-cost, and brings immediate satisfaction.[0]
The benefits of pickleball have been well-documented, with many studies showing the mental and physical advantages of playing the sport.[1] Pickleball is a great way for people of all ages to get exercise and have fun, as well as build their hand-eye coordination and agility.[2]
0. “2023 APP PICKLEBALL PARTICIPATION REPORT REVEALS 36.5 …” www.onfocus.news, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.onfocus.news/2023-app-pickleball-participation-report-reveals-36-5-million-adult-americans-played-pickleball-in-2022/
1. “Pickleball Is Picking Up: Instructors Say It's Healthy for Both Mind …” www.jewishtimes.com, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.jewishtimes.com/pickleball-is-picking-up-instructors-say-its-healthy-for-both-mind-and-body/
2. “Health Benefits of Pickleball: Research Shows Improved Fitness …” www.onfocus.news, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.onfocus.news/health-benefits-of-pickleball-research-shows-improved-fitness-lowers-risk-of-depression/