Pickleball’s international growth is one of the wildest sports stories of the last decade. What started as three dads trying to entertain bored kids on a rainy Pacific Northwest afternoon is now played in more than 80 countries, with pro tours landing in Melbourne, Mumbai, Madrid, and Toronto. If you’ve ever wondered how a backyard invention became a global sport, here’s the quick version and the full story.
Origins
Pickleball was invented on a rainy Bainbridge Island, Washington summer day in 1965. The Pritchard family had restless kids stuck inside, and the adults improvised.
Three Dads
Washington State Representative Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum returned from golfing to find their families bored. They set up a badminton net but couldn’t find a shuttlecock, so with a wiffle ball and improvised paddles they lowered the net and created the game of pickleball. McCallum built better paddles with a band saw soon after, and the three started shaping the rules that still run the game today.
Early Spread
The game stayed small at first. It moved through friends, neighbors, and Pacific Northwest schools before slowly trickling across the U.S. over the next few decades. Joel Pritchard and friends incorporated Pickle-Ball Inc. on February 13, 1968, giving the sport its first real business structure and a path to sell equipment beyond Bainbridge Island.
Takeoff
For about 50 years, pickleball was a quiet American pastime, mostly loved by retirees in Florida and Arizona. The real jump came in the early 2020s.
U.S. Boom
Pickleball participation grew 223.5% from 2020 to 2023, while tennis grew approximately 4 to 5% during the same period. By mid-2025, U.S. participation climbed to about 22.7 million, a 14.7% year-over-year increase, with more than 68,000 dedicated courts across the country. That massive home base gave the sport the credibility and infrastructure to start exporting itself.
Going Global
The International Federation of Pickleball now has 78 member countries, double the number from just five years ago. Global pickleball expansion really hit another gear in 2025, when the United Pickleball Association launched the UPA International Championship Series across Australia, India, Canada, Asia, and Europe. Big names travel with these events, which helps smaller pickleball scenes grow overnight.
Why Pickleball Around the World Is Booming
Pickleball around the world is booming because it’s cheap to set up, easy to learn, and built for social play across ages and skill levels. A badminton-sized court, four players, and a paddle are all you need, which makes it perfect for schools, clubs, and community centers in almost any country. Add pro tours, celebrity investors, and media coverage, and the growth feeds itself.
Regions
Different parts of the world are picking up the sport at different speeds, but the momentum is everywhere.
Asia Rising
Asia is where the most dramatic growth is happening right now. India has gone from almost no infrastructure to more than 50,000 players and nearly 500 courts in under two years, with the World Pickleball League launching in 2025. The Philippines jumped from 244 registered players in 2020 to 10,717 in 2024. Vietnam has caught on quickly since 2022, with clubs opening in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Japan has surged through tournaments in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
Europe Joins
Europe is moving fast too. Spain has over 20,000 players and is now competing with basketball in popularity there. The UK’s national federation membership jumped 65% in 2024, and the Pickleball Premier League Europe debuted in 2025. France, Germany, and Italy all have active federations and growing club networks.
Americas And Beyond
Canada has roughly 300,000 players and hosted a 2025 PPA Tour stop in Toronto. Australia has over 92,000 players and 267 clubs nationwide. Brazil is building a South American hub, and Saudi Arabia leads the Middle East, while African federations are forming in South Africa and Nigeria.
Fastest-growing pickleball scenes outside the U.S. right now:
- India, with massive court-building and a new pro league
- Spain, where the sport is closing in on mainstream status
- Vietnam, expanding through schools and city clubs
- Australia, with a mature federation and PPA Tour stops
- Canada, the biggest market outside the U.S.
Drivers
A few clear forces are behind the sport’s worldwide rise.
Pro Tours
The pro circuit is the single biggest accelerator. The 2025 Pickleball World Cup drew 3,000+ participants from 60+ countries, and the Global Professional Alliance, formed in 2026 with organizations from the US, Canada, Europe, India, Australia, and Vietnam, is coordinating 30+ international tournaments. Pro events bring cameras, sponsors, and local sign-ups.
Olympic Push
Olympic inclusion is the north star. The International Pickleball Federation has 78 member countries, which meets the IOC’s threshold of 75+ countries for men’s sports. The earliest realistic timeline is 2032 in Brisbane, with 2036 being more likely.
Top reasons the sport travels so well:
- Low startup cost for courts and gear
- Easy learning curve for new players
- Strong social format built for doubles
- Fast-growing pro scene with global reach
- Backing from tennis stars and celebrity investors
FAQs
How many countries play pickleball in 2026?
Pickleball is now played in more than 80 countries worldwide, with the International Federation of Pickleball counting 78 member nations. That number has roughly doubled in the last five years, with the fastest growth happening in Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Which country outside the U.S. has the most players?
Canada leads the international pack with around 300,000 players. Australia follows with over 92,000 players across 267 clubs, and India is catching up fast with more than 50,000 registered players in under two years.
How big is the global pickleball market?
The global pickleball market is expected to grow from $1.69 billion in 2025 to $1.97 billion in 2026. Longer-term forecasts put it at $3.56 billion by 2030, driven mostly by equipment sales, facility builds, and tournament revenue.
Where is pickleball growing the fastest right now?
India is the breakout story, going from almost nothing to 500+ courts in under two years. Spain, Vietnam, and the Philippines are also seeing explosive growth, and the UK’s federation membership jumped 65% in 2024 alone.
