How has pickleball become the fastest-growing sport in America. What makes pickleball so appealing to players of all ages. Why are communities struggling to keep up with the demand for pickleball courts. How is the rapid growth of pickleball impacting its future as a potential Olympic sport.
The Meteoric Rise of Pickleball in the United States
Pickleball, a unique fusion of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, has been experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity across the United States. This paddleball game, invented in 1965 by three fathers in Washington state, has captured the hearts of millions of Americans, becoming the nation’s fastest-growing sport.
According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, the number of pickleball players in the US has nearly doubled in just five years, reaching an impressive 4.8 million participants. This remarkable growth has caught the attention of sports enthusiasts, investors, and even Olympic organizers.
The Origins of Pickleball
The quirky name “pickleball” is said to have been inspired by a family dog named Pickles. Despite its humble beginnings, the sport has evolved from a backyard pastime to a nationwide phenomenon with professional tournaments and Olympic aspirations.
The Appeal of Pickleball: Why Is It So Popular?
Pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity can be attributed to several factors that make it appealing to players of all ages and skill levels. Here are some key reasons behind its success:
- Accessibility: Pickleball is easy to learn and play, making it accessible to beginners and seasoned athletes alike.
- Social aspect: The sport fosters a strong sense of community and provides opportunities for social interaction.
- Low-impact exercise: Pickleball offers a great workout without putting excessive strain on the body, making it ideal for older adults and those with physical limitations.
- Versatility: The game can be played indoors or outdoors, making it suitable for various climates and seasons.
- Competitive yet fun: Pickleball strikes a balance between friendly competition and enjoyable gameplay.
Stu Upson, the first CEO of USA Pickleball, emphasizes the sport’s ability to bring people together in a positive environment. He states, “People are looking for avenues to have some fun, get some exercise, but do it in an environment that’s not divisive. That’s a pretty important thing in our society today, I believe.”
The Demographics of Pickleball: A Sport for All Ages
While pickleball has traditionally been popular among older adults, the sport is increasingly attracting younger players. USA Pickleball reports that the strongest growth is now occurring among players under 55 years old.
However, the core player base – those who play more than eight times per year – still predominantly consists of individuals over 65. This diverse age range contributes to the sport’s inclusive nature and broad appeal.
The Challenge of Meeting Demand: Court Shortages and Infrastructure Growth
As pickleball’s popularity continues to soar, communities across the United States are facing a significant challenge: keeping up with the demand for courts. Currently, there are only about 10,000 places to play pickleball nationwide, according to USA Pickleball’s estimates.
To address this shortage, various initiatives are underway:
- Conversion of existing facilities: Many sports clubs and hotels are converting tennis courts into pickleball courts or building new dedicated spaces for the sport.
- Municipal efforts: Local governments are working to create more pickleball venues to meet the growing demand.
- Private sector involvement: Businesses like the restaurant chain Chicken N’ Pickle are expanding their footprint to include pickleball facilities.
- Community planning: USA Pickleball is developing a toolkit to assist community planners in building courts, with cost estimates ranging from $300 for temporary setups to $30,000 for permanent courts.
The Economic Impact of Pickleball’s Growth
The rapid expansion of pickleball is not just a social phenomenon; it’s also having a significant economic impact. As the sport gains traction, various sectors are benefiting from its growth:
- Equipment manufacturers: The demand for pickleball paddles, balls, and other gear has surged.
- Facility development: Construction and renovation of pickleball courts are creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
- Tourism: Pickleball tournaments and camps are attracting players from across the country, boosting local tourism.
- Retail and hospitality: Businesses catering to pickleball players, such as specialized stores and pickleball-themed restaurants, are emerging.
The economic potential of pickleball has not gone unnoticed by investors and entrepreneurs. As the sport continues to grow, it’s likely to attract more corporate sponsors and generate additional revenue streams.
Pickleball’s Path to Professionalism and Olympic Aspirations
In recent years, pickleball has taken significant steps towards becoming a professional sport. Two national professional tournaments have been established in the last four years, providing a platform for elite players to showcase their skills and compete for prizes.
Moreover, pickleball organizers are actively courting corporate sponsors to support the sport’s growth both domestically and internationally. This push for professionalization is part of a broader strategy to gain Olympic recognition.
USA Pickleball, the sport’s official governing body, is playing a crucial role in this endeavor. Formed in 2005 to set rules and promote the sport, the organization has recently ramped up its efforts under the leadership of its first CEO, Stu Upson.
Upson acknowledges the sport’s evolution, stating, “We’re still small and scrappy, but we’re not so innocent anymore.” This sentiment reflects pickleball’s transition from a casual pastime to a serious contender in the world of competitive sports.
The Social Impact of Pickleball: Building Communities and Fostering Connections
Beyond its physical and economic benefits, pickleball is having a profound social impact on communities across the United States. The sport’s inclusive nature and emphasis on social interaction are creating new connections and strengthening existing ones.
In Meredith, New Hampshire, for example, the local Parks and Recreation Department offers an indoor pickleball program that has become incredibly popular. The program, which is capped at about 50 people with dozens on the waiting list, has brought together community members of all ages and backgrounds.
Freida Yueh, who joined the Meredith program with her husband after retiring to the area, describes the sport’s appeal: “It’s addictive so we just started playing and now with our other friends and relatives — actually everybody we know now plays pickleball.”
This sentiment is echoed in communities across the country, where pickleball is fostering new friendships, encouraging active lifestyles, and creating a sense of belonging among players.
Pickleball as a Lifelong Pursuit
One of the unique aspects of pickleball is its ability to engage players throughout their lives. Many enthusiasts find themselves deeply committed to improving their skills and participating in the sport’s growing competitive scene.
For instance, Yueh and her husband are planning to attend a six-day pickleball training camp in North Carolina. “It’s going to be six days of intense video instruction and games,” Yueh explains. “I’m hoping that I learn just one skill that improves my game.”
This dedication to continuous improvement and the sport’s ability to provide ongoing challenges contribute to its long-term appeal and player retention.
The Future of Pickleball: Challenges and Opportunities
As pickleball continues its rapid growth, the sport faces both challenges and opportunities. Here are some key factors that will shape its future:
- Infrastructure development: Meeting the demand for courts will be crucial for sustained growth.
- Balancing accessibility and professionalization: Maintaining the sport’s inclusive nature while developing a professional circuit will be a delicate balance.
- Youth engagement: Attracting younger players will be essential for long-term sustainability.
- International expansion: Growing the sport globally will be necessary for Olympic consideration.
- Technological innovation: Advancements in equipment and training methods could further enhance the sport’s appeal.
Despite these challenges, the future of pickleball looks bright. With its unique blend of accessibility, social engagement, and competitive potential, the sport is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.
The Role of Technology in Pickleball’s Growth
As pickleball evolves, technology is playing an increasingly important role in its development. From advanced paddle materials to mobile apps that help players find courts and opponents, tech innovations are enhancing the pickleball experience.
Furthermore, online platforms and social media are facilitating the formation of pickleball communities, sharing of tips and techniques, and organization of events. This digital connectivity is helping to fuel the sport’s growth and create a global pickleball network.
Pickleball’s Environmental Impact and Sustainability Efforts
As pickleball continues to grow, it’s important to consider its environmental impact and the efforts being made to ensure sustainability within the sport. Here are some key aspects to consider:
- Court construction: The development of eco-friendly court materials and construction methods.
- Equipment recycling: Initiatives to recycle used pickleball paddles and balls.
- Energy efficiency: Implementing energy-saving measures in indoor pickleball facilities.
- Water conservation: Designing outdoor courts with proper drainage and water-saving features.
- Community engagement: Organizing eco-friendly pickleball events and tournaments.
Many pickleball organizations and manufacturers are beginning to prioritize sustainability, recognizing the importance of minimizing the sport’s environmental footprint as it expands.
Pickleball and Public Health
The rise of pickleball has potential implications for public health, particularly in addressing the challenges of sedentary lifestyles and obesity. As a low-impact sport that appeals to a wide range of age groups, pickleball could play a significant role in promoting physical activity and improving overall health outcomes.
Health professionals and policymakers are taking note of pickleball’s potential as a tool for community health initiatives. Some healthcare providers are even prescribing pickleball as part of wellness programs, recognizing its physical and social benefits.
Pickleball’s Global Expansion: Beyond American Borders
While pickleball’s growth has been most pronounced in the United States, the sport is gaining traction internationally. Countries across Europe, Asia, and South America are seeing a rise in pickleball participation, with national federations being established to promote and regulate the sport.
This global expansion is crucial for pickleball’s Olympic aspirations. The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) is working to standardize rules and promote the sport worldwide, aiming to meet the criteria for Olympic recognition.
Cultural Adaptation of Pickleball
As pickleball spreads globally, it’s interesting to observe how different cultures are adapting and embracing the sport. In some countries, pickleball is being integrated into existing sports traditions, while in others, it’s introducing a completely new concept of recreational activity.
This cultural exchange and adaptation process is not only enriching the sport itself but also fostering international connections and understanding through the shared language of pickleball.
The Intersection of Pickleball and Technology: Innovations Shaping the Sport
As pickleball continues to evolve, technological advancements are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the sport’s future. From equipment design to player analytics, technology is enhancing various aspects of the pickleball experience:
- Smart paddles: Embedded sensors that provide data on swing speed, impact force, and spin.
- AI-powered coaching: Mobile apps that use artificial intelligence to analyze player technique and offer personalized improvement tips.
- Virtual reality training: Immersive VR experiences that allow players to practice and improve their skills in simulated environments.
- Advanced ball tracking: Systems similar to those used in tennis for line calls and ball trajectory analysis.
- Wearable tech: Devices that monitor player movement, heart rate, and other biometric data during games.
These technological innovations are not only enhancing player performance but also increasing fan engagement and opening up new possibilities for broadcasting and sponsorship opportunities.
The Role of Data Analytics in Pickleball
As pickleball becomes more competitive, data analytics is emerging as a crucial tool for player development and strategic planning. Coaches and players are increasingly using data-driven insights to optimize training regimens, analyze opponent tendencies, and refine game strategies.
This trend towards data-driven decision-making is likely to accelerate as pickleball continues its path towards professionalization and potential Olympic inclusion.
Pickleball’s Impact on Urban Planning and Community Development
The rapid growth of pickleball is influencing urban planning and community development decisions across the country. As demand for pickleball facilities increases, city planners and community leaders are facing new challenges and opportunities:
- Multi-use spaces: Designing flexible recreational areas that can accommodate pickleball alongside other sports and activities.
- Noise mitigation: Addressing concerns about noise from pickleball courts in residential areas through strategic placement and sound-dampening technologies.
- Community centers: Incorporating pickleball facilities into new and existing community centers to promote social interaction and physical activity.
- Parks revitalization: Using pickleball as a tool to revitalize underutilized park spaces and attract diverse user groups.
- Economic development: Leveraging pickleball’s popularity to drive tourism and local business growth through tournaments and events.
These considerations are reshaping how communities approach recreational planning and public space utilization, with pickleball serving as a catalyst for innovative urban design solutions.
Pickleball and Intergenerational Connections
One of the unique aspects of pickleball is its ability to bring together players of different ages and backgrounds. This intergenerational appeal is fostering connections between younger and older community members, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
Many communities are recognizing the social benefits of these intergenerational interactions and are actively promoting pickleball as a means of strengthening community bonds across age groups.
America’s fastest-growing sport is pickleball : NPR
Freida Yueh (right) says of the increasingly popular sport of pickleball: “It’s addictive so we just started playing and now with our other friends and relatives—actually everybody we know now plays pickleball.”
Shannon Mullen
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Shannon Mullen
Freida Yueh (right) says of the increasingly popular sport of pickleball: “It’s addictive so we just started playing and now with our other friends and relatives—actually everybody we know now plays pickleball.”
Shannon Mullen
For the rapidly decreasing number of Americans who’ve never heard of pickleball, the obscure paddleball game is one of America’s fastest-growing sports.
Invented in 1965 by three middle-aged fathers in Washington state, pickleball is a quirky cross among tennis, pingpong and badminton, played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball. The founders are said to have named the game after a family dog called Pickles.
With 4.8 million people now playing — almost double the number from just five years ago, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association — some of the sport’s devotees are capitalizing on pickleball’s spike in popularity.
The game now has two national professional tournaments, both formed in the last four years, and pickleball organizers are courting corporate sponsors to help grow the sport in the U.S. and abroad as part of a bid for Olympic inclusion.
“We’re still small and scrappy, but we’re not so innocent anymore,” said Stu Upson, who was hired in late 2020 as the first CEO of USA Pickleball, the sport’s official governing body. The organization was formed in 2005 to set rules and promote the sport.
Upson believes pickleball can keep growing without losing the accessibility that’s fueled its rise over the last decade.
“People are looking for avenues to have some fun, get some exercise, but do it in an environment that’s not divisive,” he said. “That’s a pretty important thing in our society today I believe.”
Freida Yueh joined the Meredith, N.H., program with her husband two years ago after they retired to the area.
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Shannon Mullen
Freida Yueh joined the Meredith, N.H., program with her husband two years ago after they retired to the area.
Shannon Mullen
An ‘addictive’ game that won’t stop growing
Most of pickleball’s core players — those who play more than eight times per year — are over age 65, but the game is getting younger, with the strongest growth among players under 55, according to USA Pickleball.
But with so many new players, the U.S. is struggling to keep up with demand for courts.
The country has only about 10,000 places to play, by USA Pickleball’s count, but that continues to grow by several dozen every month. Sports clubs and hotel groups, including Marriott and Omni Resorts, are converting tennis courts to or building new courts for pickleball, while a restaurant chain called Chicken N’ Pickle that has locations in four states has said it will double its footprint within the next year.
Municipalities nationwide are trying to meet the demand for pickleball venue — so many that USA Pickleball is putting together a toolkit for community planners with guidelines and cost estimates for building courts, which can range from $300 for a temporary net, equipment and tape to mark lines, to $30,000 for a permanent court.
In Meredith, N.H., the town’s Parks and Recreation Department offers indoor pickleball in a multipurpose gym that’s also used for basketball, tennis and other sports.
The program is capped at about 50 people with dozens on the waiting list, and some pickleball players got so serious that their sessions are now supervised and players are separated by skill level.
“It’s addictive so we just started playing and now with our other friends and relatives — actually everybody we know now plays pickleball,” said Freida Yueh, who joined the Meredith program with her husband two years ago after they retired in the area.
This spring, the couple is traveling with two others to a pickleball training camp in North Carolina.
“It’s going to be six days of intense video instruction and games,” Yueh added. “I’m hoping that I learn just one skill that improves my game.”
Gary Muscanell is among the lucky pickleball players in Meredith, N.H. There is a waiting list for the town’s pickleball program.
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Gary Muscanell is among the lucky pickleball players in Meredith, N.
H. There is a waiting list for the town’s pickleball program.
Shannon Mullen
Pickleball is going from amateur to pro
Pickleball is proving attractive to a wide range of corporate sponsors as the sport seeks new sources of revenue. USA Pickleball has two dozen brand partners, including gear makers, an online health care market and a CBD (cannabidiol) company.
“We have people who understand the sports business, not just the pickleball business,” said Upson. “Is the revenue that’s coming in important? It’s critical for us to reinvest in the sport and grow, but it’s not going to drive us.”
Pickleball is also fast becoming a spectator sport. Its first professional tournament, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, formed in 2018 and was recently acquired by the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes National Hockey League team. USA Pickleball sanctioned a second pro tour that started a year later, launched by the Association of Pickleball Professionals.
Both events boast hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize payouts that are minting the first generation of pickleball players who can make a living at the game.
“Professional players are being able to really become celebrities and spotlights, people that are recognizable in the world,” said Connor Pardoe, commissioner of the PPA Tour, whose players sign three-year exclusive contracts. “The reason we do that, one, is to make sure the best people are at our events and, two, to really protect our investment.”
Traditional broadcasters’ interest in the sport is growing. So far, pickleball fans can watch amateur and professional matches on sports or social channels, mostly online.
“The ability for a sport to find an audience quickly via social media is unprecedented,” said Ben Shields, who lectures at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and studies the sports industry.
“Think about all of the new digital experiences that are available to sports leagues to connect with fans — streaming games in an interactive way, fantasy pickleball, which brings fans in on a different level, all the social media conversations and experiences you can create around the sport.
“
Shields added that pickleball still needs a transcendent star to draw in wider audiences, as has been the key to success for other sports leagues — that also started with grassroots and unusual names.
“I think if pickleball, in its own humble way, can continue to grow its participation and find ways to make the sport a compelling fan product, who knows, 10, 20 years, it could be a very viable competitor in the global sports industry.”
A successful Olympic bid might accelerate that time frame. To mount one, pickleball needs competitive players in at least 75 countries. So far, the International Federation of Pickleball has at least 70 member nations and most of them joined in the past three years.
Organizers are aiming for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics as a demonstration sport. For now, pickleball’s fans are just happy that more players are finding their way to a sport that brings people together.
“A lot of people are getting in because they love the game,” said Upson of USA Pickleball.
“It’s all over the place in a good way.”
Why pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport
CBS Saturday Morning
By Dana Jacobson, Tori B. Powell
/ CBS News
Pickleball gains popularity across U.S.
Pickleball gains popularity across the country
08:16
The club manager of a Southern California country club said she hadn’t heard of the sport pickleball a few years ago.
Now, they’re building courts wherever they can to match growing demand.
“We actually just converted our basketball court into temporary pickleball,” Ali Sullivan of the Manhattan Country Club told CBS News. “So it’s really any space that we can find.”
The country club isn’t the only place seeing surging interest. Over the past four years, pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in America, with nearly five million playing.
Pickleball has been around since 1965 when families on Washington’s Bainbridge Island created the game to entertain their children. There are now hundreds of tournaments annually. And this year, NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Love and Draymond Green even bought into a team of the sport, which is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong.
Brian Weller, who helped open PKL in south Boston four months ago, says his business — which pairs a premium pickleball with food and drinks — is trying to keep up with the sport’s growing popularity.
“The community response has been fantastic,” he said. “We don’t have enough courts.”
Weller and his partners got the idea to start PKL during the pandemic, when he and a few couples began to play together. Now, they bring in an array of customers.
“We have an eight-year-old birthday tomorrow followed by, you know, a 175-person corporate event followed by, you know, a mom and dad playing with their 20-year-old daughter and her boyfriend,” he said. “It’s kind of a melting pot of everyone.”
Pickleball player Carole Levine also picked up the sport during COVID’s lockdown, when her husband suggested she play after she was diagnosed with a deadly pre-cancerous illness.
“I had over 16 surgeries in one year with radiation and my husband’s like, ‘I think you’d really like it,’ and I played and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is easy. I can do this,'” she said. “Even my doctor said to me, ‘I can tell you’re like so much better.”
Levine says the sport “saved” her.
“I’m in remission and they didn’t think that was going to happen and I was lucky,” she said.
Pickleball helped former volleyball and racquetball player Lynn Cherry return to sports after she tore her ACL.
“Once I saw the game and I saw the size of the court, I’m like, even with my bad knees, I think I can do that,” she said.
Her new love for the game led her to create a website about the sport as well as the podcast “Pickleball Fire,” where she discusses tips, industry news, players and other stories.
Similarly, Erin McHugh turned her love for pickleball into media with a book titled “Pickleball is Life” that explores everything from etiquette to how to build a DIY court at home. She’s also helped build two courts and developed a fitness program for new students.
“When you love pickleball, I think you become a little bit of a missionary,” she said. “You want everybody to play. You want everybody to be as happy as you are.”
She says she chose the title for her book because of the benefits she’s seen from playing the sport.
“What I’d like to think about more is: why isn’t life more like pickleball?” she said. “Pickleball is easy. You can always get better. Anyone can play. You can teach anybody. It’s inexpensive. You get healthy. You meet new friends. What else is there?”
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Dana Jacobson is a co-host of “CBS Saturday Morning.”
First published on October 22, 2022 / 12:26 PM
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Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world.
In the USA millions are invested in it, in Russia – silence
More fun than golf
Pickleball appeared in the 1960s in Washington state thanks to Joel Pritchard . He loved golf, but he understood that his passion for children and his wife only causes boredom. So Pritchard suggested playing a softball (a simpler version of baseball) like tennis. There is no generally accepted explanation why this entertainment is now called pickleball. According to one version – in honor of Pickle – the dog Joel.
Scoring is done in the same way as in tennis: the ball must land twice in the opponent’s half of the field. Scoring is done like in ping pong and usually goes up to 11 in each game. And most often there are no more than three games.
Standard pickleball court smaller than tennis: 6 x 13.4. The grid is located low – at a height of 90 centimeters. The field is divided into two halves, each – into a non-playing area closer to the net and two service areas.
The grounds are open and closed, the surface is hard, but at the amateur level, matches are also played on grass.
A million rackets in a year
The pickleball boom began during the pandemic, when many traditional forms of entertainment were unavailable. However, even before the coronavirus, interest in it grew. According to CNBC, from 2016 to 2019, the number of players steadily increased by 7.2% per year and reached 3.5 million, and two years later the number of players was already estimated at 4.8 million. In the United States, this sport has gained popularity due to the low entry threshold: it is quite easy to learn the basic elements, and the entrance to the garage or just a quiet street of the American suburbs is suitable as a platform. Against this backdrop, Life Time Group, a major chain of health hotels and clubs, has announced plans to build 700 pickleball courts. Now in the US, according to Front Office Sports, there are about 10,000 such places.
The demand for inventory is also growing.
In the spring, retailer Pickleball Central reported a 30% to 40% year-to-date increase in sales. The capitalization of the manufacturer Selkirk has tripled since 2020, and this year the company expects to sell a million rackets. This market, according to Global Info Research, in 2021 amounted to $152.8 million. . According to market research agency TechNavio, the pickleball clothing market will grow to $680.3 million in 2026.
Meanwhile, Absolute Reports in a report says that the total global market for this sport in 2021 was $1.187 billion, and according to forecasts, by 2027 the figure will reach $2.140 billion. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. And this is not only the merit of amateurs – the professional segment is growing dynamically due to investments and the attention of famous people. In 2022, NBA Legend 9 Acquired Clubs (Pickleball Team Plays Four)0005 Lebron James , NFL winner Tom Brady , Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters .
In autumn, it became known that Anheuser-Busch, a beer maker, would have its own team. Also interested in the game are Leonardo di Caprio and Bill Gates .
As a result, the Major League of Pickleball (MLP), founded last year, has grown from 12 to 16 participants. In addition, in mid-November it became known that the tournament would be merged with another competition – the VIBE Pickleball League. In the new season, the general championship will be held under the MLP brand, the prize pool will be increased to $2 million, and the matches of the tournament will continue to be broadcast by Fox Sports, CBS and Tennis Channel. According to Front Office Sports, the best players in the world earn $200 million each through prizes and sponsorship contracts.
Development potential
Outside the US, pickleball has been slower to develop. According to Proficient Market Insights, Germany is the largest European market in terms of inventory.
In Asia, this sport is especially interested in South Korea and Japan.
Against this background, the potential of the Russian segment is clearly not revealed. In 2021, a pickleball federation appeared in our country, but its participation in the development of the sport is nominal: the number of subscribers in social networks is few, and there is no competition calendar. The most active is the Podolsk pickleball club, which holds competitions and trainings, mainly for players of retirement and pre-retirement age. In 2018, the club even won a contest organized by the Moscow Region authorities and received ₽156,000.
The most famous pickleball player from Russia is Irina Tereshchenko . She won the US Open twice, and now plays in the MLP for the team BLQK – one of the strongest in the league. Among the coaches stands out Katerina Chudenko , who was the first Russian woman to receive a professional license.
She also got acquainted with this sport from the USA.
“Pickleball is crazy in America,” said Katerina Chudenko. – Tennis is an expensive sport: rent of courts, equipment, and elitism does not contribute to low prices. Pickleball is a completely different matter. One tennis court is three or four pickleball courts, and training can be done in any hall, including volleyball and basketball.”
$152.8 million
Pickleball racket market in 2021
Pickleball courts in Russia are practically not equipped yet. Of the positive examples – Kaliningrad: in October, local authorities promised to create a place for the game in one of the yards in a residential area. The project includes streetball, pickleball and exercise equipment. In the meantime, even rackets have to be ordered via the Internet – mainly from China or the USA.
Sources: Absolute Reports, Global Info Research, Front Office Sports
Photo: Unsplash
Material from the SBC.
Sports Business Consulting #4 (50) December 2022
Top 10 most popular sports in the world in 2023
In some of the world’s most prosperous countries, income from sports entertainment has fueled economic growth.
Evidence of this is the impact of sports on the gross domestic income (GDP) of the United States.
According to Statista, US professional sports will generate about $83.1 billion in revenue, shaping the shape of the 21st century economy.
There are different kinds of sports and we have presented the top 11 most popular sports in the world as of 2023.
My rating is based on estimated fan count, including global audience reach (TV views), online popularity (social media and search results), gender equality, sponsorship/advertising deals, and main region of residence.
The most popular sports in the world
10. Golf – 450 million fans
There are an estimated 450 million golf fans worldwide.
It is most common in North America, Western Europe and East Asia.
In golf, players try to put the ball into the hole with the least number of strokes.
According to GOLF.com, approximately 441 million rounds of golf were played in the US in 2019 alone.
This sport receives worldwide sponsorship from leading brands such as BMW, Cadillac, Rolex, Adidas, Nike and a few others.
9. Rugby – 475 million fans
Rugby, as an all-gender sport, attracts up to 10 million players worldwide.
Rugby is a contact sport very similar to American football.
Whereas rugby players had little protective equipment, American football players had plenty, such as helmets and shin guards.
This sport is trendy in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries.
The just concluded Rugby World Cup in Japan has attracted a lot of attention on the Internet as various countries have made history and recorded amazing victories.
Rugby’s most prestigious tournament attracts the best names in the world of rugby, as well as leading brands that allocate significant sponsorship funds.
Brands such as MasterCard, Heineken, Emirates, DHL and Toshiba, sponsoring the 2019 Rugby World Cup, are driving the game’s popularity.
8. Baseball – 500 million fans
Baseball is not only America’s favorite sport, but also most popular in the Caribbean and East Asia.
Major League Baseball (MLB), the pinnacle of baseball leagues worldwide, has approximately 500 million fans worldwide.
In a gender equality test, male players significantly predominate in this sport.
Baseball attracts sponsorship from top brands such as Mastercard, Chevrolet and Papa John’s.
7. Basketball – 825 million fans
A fashionable sport that was invented by American-Canadian teacher James Naismith, basketball is now played all over the world with about 825 million fans.
Basketball is a fast growing sport played by two teams.
It is impossible to deny the fact that basketball is currently one of the most talked about sports in the world.
This sport also has its own various women’s leagues around the world, which also attracts media attention.
Basketball fans can attest to the fact that brands are willing to spend millions of dollars on promotional deals for top basketball players.
These deals sometimes continue even after a player retires, as seen in the LeBron James and Michael Jordan deal with Nike.
6. Table tennis – 875 million fans
Also known as ping pong, the number of table tennis fans has grown to 875 million since 2003.
This sport originated in England at the beginning of the 20th century.
Although table tennis is not as publicized as other well-known sports tournaments, it enjoys a moderate number of followers and fans on social media around the world.
Table tennis is especially popular in Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
Brands such as Autohome sponsor table tennis tournaments.
5. Volleyball – 900 million fans
With up to 900 million fans, volleyball attracts a lot of attention around the world, especially in North and South America, Western Europe, Australia and Asia.
However, compared to other high-class sports, it receives less television coverage.
Volleyball is growing in popularity among both sexes, making it one of the fastest growing sports in the modern era.
Brands such as Mikasa, Dick’s Sporting Goods support volleyball events.
4.Tennis – 1 billion fans
Tennis is a very intense and physically intense sport, in which unexpected defeats are not uncommon.
The emergence of new talent in recent years has increased the thrill of competition to the delight of 1 billion tennis fans.
Both men’s and women’s tennis have been getting a lot of media attention lately, which has caught the attention of brands like Audemars Piguet, Rolex and TAG Heuer.
These brands pay big sums of money to tennis stars for support and sponsorship.
3. Hockey – 2 billion fans
Both ice hockey and field hockey are some of the most beloved sports in the world.
In the US, Canada and Northern Europe, ice hockey has a high profile, which is no different from other regions.
Around 2 billion people around the world follow hockey, especially the National Hockey League (NHL).
The men’s and women’s hockey leagues also enjoy significant attention from brands such as Gatorade, Reebok and others who are willing to make sponsorship deals with these teams.
2. Cricket – 2.5 billion fans
Another popular sport with a wide global reach, cricket is a fantastic sport with around 2.5 billion fans, mostly from countries such as Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and India.
Cricket’s most popular competition, the Cricket World Cup, last held in 2019, was watched by some 2.6 billion people.
While male-dominated cricket has attracted more attention, female-dominated cricket has been growing in popularity in recent years.
Cricket also enjoys a lot of endorsements from various brands, especially bat brands.
1. Football – 4 billion fans
Football, or soccer as it is known in the US and Canada, has about 4 billion fans and is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world.
Football is played by two teams on a rectangular field with goals at both ends.
Each team tries to pass the ball and score it into the opponent’s goal.
The sport is played by over 270 million people worldwide (especially in Europe, South and Central America and Africa) and tops the list of the most watched sports in the world.
The most prestigious football tournament, the FIFA World Cup, was watched by a record 3.5 billion fans in 2018.
In addition, every major football competition, from the UEFA Champions League to the English Premier League or La Liga, is widely followed on various social media platforms.
While men’s football receives a lot of media attention, women’s football is not left out.
This sport continues to receive a lot of media attention.
Leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Qatar Airways, Pepsi, Nike, Puma and Adidas have entered into multi-million dollar deals with football bodies such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as top football clubs and national teams.
