In recent months, if you follow the world of sports, you’ve probably heard of pickleball. Although it may sound like a word game, the truth is that it is the fastest-growing sport in the United States… and it is becoming increasingly popular in Spain. But what makes this sport so appealing that it has conquered millions of people in such a short time?
A sport for everyone (really)
Pickleball is a mix of tennis, padel, ping-pong, and badminton. It is played with lighter paddles than padel and a perforated plastic ball. The court is smaller, making it easier to play for people of all ages and skill levels. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to enjoy it—just move, have fun, and share a good time with friends or good company.
The history of pickleball dates back to 1965 in the state of Washington, USA. Three friends—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—improvised a game to entertain their families on a random Saturday.
They used what they had at home: a low badminton net, a plastic ball, and ping-pong paddles. Without realizing it, they created a brand-new sport.
Since then, its growth has been unstoppable. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that more than 19 million people play pickleball regularly. The sport now has its own professional leagues, stars like LeBron James and Maria Sharapova investing in teams… and even its own circuit in Spain!
How is it played?
- Played with 2 or 4 players.
- Court size: 6.10 m × 13.41 m (same as a badminton court).
- Net height: 34 inches (86 cm) at the center.
- Paddles: wooden or composite (around 43 cm).
- Ball: plastic, hollow, perforated.
- Shots must be hit below the waist, and there is a non-volley zone (“kitchen”) 7 ft (2 m) from the net.
- Games are played to 11 points, win by two; only the serving team can score.
Global popularity
- In the U.S., it is the fastest-growing sport: in 2024, it had nearly 19.8 million players (a 311% increase since 2021).
- In 2022, it was officially named the state sport of Washington.
- Popular across generations and in environments such as community centers and retirement homes.
Pickleball in Spain is becoming a trend
In Spain, the pickleball boom has arrived. Since 2012, the Spanish Pickleball Association has been working to promote the sport, and since 2023 it has been supported by the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET). Tournaments have been held in cities such as Málaga, Barcelona, and Madrid, where the first Spanish Championship took place with more than 1,100 matches in just three days.
In addition, the Pickle Pro Tour has been launched—the first national circuit with major sponsors such as Cervezas Victoria and Damm.
Why should your sports center invest in pickleball?
Pickleball is becoming trendy, and everything suggests it’s here to stay. It is a real opportunity for sports centers, clubs, and communities to offer an accessible, fun activity with great growth potential.
Some key reasons:
- Easy to learn and very social.
- Attractive to all types of users: young people, adults, and seniors.
- Ideal for revitalizing facilities with multi-use courts or padel spaces.
- Provides physical and mental benefits: improves coordination, boosts cardiovascular activity, and reduces stress.
Thinking about introducing pickleball in your sports center?
With Resasports, you can easily manage court bookings, organize matches, tournaments, or classes, track attendance, and offer your users a complete digital experience.
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