The 60-Year-Old Sport That Suddenly Took Off
Pickleball existed for decades before a perfect mix of accessibility, timing, and social play turned it into one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.
Athletes World
• Pickleball may have been invented more than 60 years ago, but the paddle sport has exploded in popularity in recent years, drawing new players to courts across North America.
A few years ago, many people couldn't have explained what pickleball was.
Now it's everywhere.
Parks are adding courts. Former tennis courts are being converted. Celebrities are investing in teams. Millions of Americans have picked up a paddle. Yet pickleball's rise wasn't the result of a flashy marketing campaign or a revolutionary new sport. In fact, the game had been around for decades before most people noticed.
Now it's everywhere.
Parks are adding courts. Former tennis courts are being converted. Celebrities are investing in teams. Millions of Americans have picked up a paddle. Yet pickleball's rise wasn't the result of a flashy marketing campaign or a revolutionary new sport. In fact, the game had been around for decades before most people noticed.
