What is pickleball? Here’s all you need to know about US’ fastest growing sport

Over the past few years, pickleball has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Not only the sports arena, but pickleball has also stormed social media and Hollywood. Notably, the game has grown by 11.5 per cent on average over the past five years. It had 4.8 million players in the United States in 2021. Covid-induced lockdowns increased the game's popularity as people, especially professional athletes and celebrities, searched for outdoor activities during the pandemic.

Several celebrities, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashians, George and Amal Clooney, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, and Ellen DeGeneres, have already confessed their obsession with pickleball. However, the game is not only a casual hobby. Instead, it has emerged as a cash cow in recent years, with celebrities like LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kevin Durant becoming owners of professional pickleball clubs. Interestingly, Major League Pickleball, which was established in 2021, has planned to expand its roster of teams to 16. Currently, it sees the participation of 12 teams.




Pickleball is a paddle sport which combines elements of ping-pong, badminton, and tennis. The game has its own terminology, including words like "flapjack," "falafel," and "dink." It also comes with a set of rules to keep the competitive spirits intact. Pickleball can be played in singles and doubles, where players take turns serving and scoring.

FAQs:

1. What is pickleball?
   Pickleball is a paddle sport. It is also the fastest-growing sport in the United States.
2. How many pickleball players are there in the US?
   As of 2021, the US had 4.8 million pickleball players.