Pickleball in the United States

Pickleball in the United States
Pickleball courts in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Governing bodyUSA Pickleball
Nickname(s)Pukaball
First played1965

Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, was invented in the United States in 1965, on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Since its introduction the sport has steadily increased in popularity. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.

For four years in a row, 2021 through 2024, the sport was named the fastest-growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. The 2024 report found that there were 19.8 million participants that year, a 311% growth since 2021.