Key Highlights
- According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), 48 million American adults played “tennis but without all the pesky moving around” annually as of 2023, a statistic that underscores the sport’s expanding reach and appeal. Also Read: From Johns Brothers Winning Gold to Sam Querrey's Pickleball Debut: Iconic Moments That Defined PPA Masters26,000 pickleball courts built between 2019 and 2025This growth has had a tangible impact on infrastructure.
- As demand for pickleball courts has risen, municipalities and private operators alike have turned to existing tennis facilities as ready-made solutions.
- A detailed analysis by The New York Times found that more than 26,000 pickleball courts were built between 2019 and 2025, with the majority constructed on sites that had previously been used exclusively for tennis. The conversion trend is driven in part by spatial efficiency.
- Over the same seven-year period, the NYT reported that more than 8,000 tennis courts were transformed into pickleball courts.
- Given the difference in court dimensions, four pickleball courts can fit into the space once occupied by a single tennis court, making conversions an attractive option for communities seeking to maximise participation within limited real estate. Also Read: After PIKKL Exit, Gabe Tardio at a Crossroads: Who Will Sponsor Pickleball’s Rising Star?The pace of change shows little sign of slowing.
