Key Highlights
- Several states had already taken steps in this direction, signalling growing institutional support for the game. Also Read: From Wimbledon Finalist to Pickleball Force: Eugenie Bouchard’s Rapid TransformationMaryland and Arizona were among the states that had introduced initiatives to bring pickleball into high schools, either through physical education programmes or organised school competitions.
- These efforts were aimed at meeting rising student interest and providing structured pathways for young players.
- Educators and sports administrators in these states viewed pickleball as an accessible option that required limited space and equipment compared to many other sports. At the grassroots level, pickleball development in the United States continued to be driven by students, particularly at colleges.
- College campuses had become important centres for the sport’s expansion, with regular tournaments and inter-collegiate events already taking place across the country.
- In terms of participation, collegiate pickleball in the US had grown significantly and was seen as being ahead of similar initiatives in many other countries. Also Read: Major League Pickleball Unveils 2026 Premier Season Changes, Returns to Group Play FormatLos Angeles students remained at the centre of the current push, advocating for formal recognition and competitive structures within schools.
