Pickleball’s Big Boom: Millennials Love It, We Need Loads More Courts
So, guess what’s all the rage these days? Pickleball! Yeah, that cool mix of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton that’s totally sweeping the scene. And get this, the average age of players is like 35 – not exactly what you’d expect, right? Well, turns out us millennials are all over it, and we’re causing such a buzz that we’re looking at a whopping demand for over 25,000 new courts. Yeah, you heard that right!
Okay, so picture this: Pickleball has gone from zero to hero in no time. By 2022, it’s got a jaw-dropping 8.9 million players hooked. But here’s the kicker – we’re talking about a game that’s growing faster than a weed in a garden! The State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report spills the beans on this whole situation. Brace yourselves for an 85% jump in players compared to just last year. That’s enough to officially crown Pickleball as the sport that’s moving at the speed of light.
And wait, there’s more! A whole bunch of experts and folks came together, including the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Pickleheads, to figure this all out. They surveyed about 18,000 folks all across the US in 2022, so you know they mean business.
Now, hold on to your hats, because here’s where things get real. To meet the cravings of today and tomorrow, we’re talking about putting up a whopping 25,784 spanking new pickleball courts across the nation. Oh, and it’s going to cost around $902 million, folks. That’s some serious pickle change! Right now, we’re working with about 51,937 courts spread across 12,000-plus places. But, let’s face it, that’s just not going to cut the mustard anymore.
The big boss over at SFIA, Tom Cove, can’t stop raving about this whole pickleball frenzy. He’s like, “Whoa, this growth has been off the charts for the past six years!” He’s not mincing his words, saying Pickleball is here to stay, and that’s that.
But hold up, it’s not just gyms and courts that are popping up everywhere. Picture this: old stores at malls are turning into pickleball hubs. Courts meant for basketball or tennis are getting a makeover to become pickleball hotspots. It’s like a full-on gold rush, and everyone wants to be in on it, as the CEO of a pickleball court operator put it. They’re racing to get the ball rolling, literally!
And get this, it’s not just us millennials that are crazy about it. The game is like the ultimate unifier – it’s pulling in peeps of all ages. So, yeah, the average player is around 35, but don’t be fooled. There’s a whole gang of players aged 25 to 34 who are all in. And guess what? Even the young guns aged 18 to 24 and the legends over 65 are joining the party. Talk about spanning the generations!
Why’s pickleball such a hit, you ask? Well, it’s not rocket science. It’s super easy to pick up, and it’s pretty chill on your joints, which is a big plus. But it’s not just about the game – it’s about the vibes. People are totally digging the social side of it. In places like Silicon Valley, it’s the hip thing to do, a cool hobby and a way to network all rolled into one. And hey, you can play it while keeping your distance, so it’s no surprise it got even hotter during the pandemic.
But here’s the catch – the more the merrier might lead to some unexpected bills. A report by UBS in June spilled the beans that all this pickleball passion might rack up medical costs, like $250 million to $500 million this year alone. Yikes, better watch your step on that court!
So, there you have it – pickleball is the new cool kid on the block, and we’re not just playing around. It’s like a party that everyone wants to join, and we’re looking at a whole lot of new courts to keep the fun going. Just remember to keep it safe and avoid any crazy injuries, folks!