Pickleball expands globally with rising participation and new courts

Pickleball, invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, is now the fastest‑growing sport in the United States, with 24 million American players reported for 2025. The sport’s popularity is spreading worldwide, while its counterpart padel, created in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, is noted as the fastest‑growing racket sport globally, with an estimated 35 million participants.

In Singapore, the pickleball boom is reflected by at least 30 public and private courts across the city‑state. Locations range from community centres such as HomeTeamNS Khatib and Bukit Canberra Sport Hall to private venues like Kings Pickleball Arena and ARK Sports Village. Booking is typically done online via platforms such as ActiveSG, with hourly fees from free to around SGD 32.70. Courts are often repurposed badminton or tennis spaces, sized about a quarter of a tennis court (6.1 m × 13.4 m) and using solid paddles and perforated plastic balls.