This year, pickleball will become the fastest-growing sport in England
Last Edited
Dec 27 2024
Category
News
Call it an informed prediction: pickleball is about to stake its claim as England's fastest-growing sport.
Pickleball England says they saw a 65% surge in memberships over the past year and estimates over 35,000 players are currently active across the nation.
Another factor influencing growth is the popularity of indoor badminton, which uses the same size court as pickleball, making for easy court transitions and co-use spaces.
Breaking records and barriers
The 2024 English Open earlier was another testament to pickleball’s rise. With 1,976 players from 42 countries, it set records and showcased the sport’s incredible diversity—players ranged from ages 7 to 70, competing in singles, doubles, wheelchair, and junior events.
And how about a Guinness World Record? Four Londoners recently completed a grueling 30-hour pickleball marathon at Tower Hill during Sports Fest 2024. Led by Tony Matharu, the marathon was a showcase of endurance and a spotlight on the sport’s growing community in London.
The grass problem
Pickleball's English takeover isn’t without significant obstacles. Outdoor space comes at a premium in a smaller nation.
Unlike the United States, where repurposed outdoor tennis courts are a cornerstone of pickleball’s growth, England’s outdoor options are more limited. Many outdoor tennis courts in England are built on grass, which doesn’t allow for the firm, consistent surface pickleball needs.
This has forced the sport to look for solutions in urban and indoor spaces—like the upcoming Kingston Upon Thames facility.
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