What Pickleball Will Look Like in 2025
Last Edited
Dec 13 2024
Category
News
By now, you've seen the phrase "global movement," or something like it, associated with pickleball. Truly, that's an accurate way to phrase it.
But how will the community, the pro scene, and all of the countless new brands popping up around pickleball respond to the sport reaching this status?
As we step closer to 2025, the game is poised for transformative growth—on the court, in the stands, and across the world.
From the pro scene to technology, from international expansion to market evolution, here’s what the future of pickleball holds.
The pro scene—bigger than ever
The PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball are breaking new ground, with record attendance, streaming numbers, and broadcast reach redefining what pickleball can achieve.
The 2024 PPA Tour stop in Utah drew over 3.3 million views across platforms, a figure that rivals PGA Tour numbers.
The PPA tour set new records for ticket sales last year, and as more casual players turn into fans of the pro game, we can expect digital viewership and TV ratings to surge.
“Once you’ve seen the highest level of pickleball, you appreciate it in a completely different way,” says Dale Young, founder of Six Zero Pickleball.
This surge in viewership is fueled by young phenoms, tennis crossovers, and international players.
Pro pickleball is set to become even more competitive, with top players like Tyra Black, JW Johnson, Rachel Rohrabacher, and Hayden Patriquin all capable of making a push for dominance, as we've seen at recent tour stops.
However, it’s difficult to imagine anyone dethroning Anna Leigh Waters from the top of women’s and mixed divisions.
At just 17, she’s pickleball’s highest-paid pro, raking in $3 million annually, another fact demonstrating that pickleball's ceiling has yet to be reached.
The technology boom
Paddle manufacturers are experimenting with new materials like high-durability cores and longer-lasting surfaces.
“Paddles today are redefining what’s possible on the court,” says UPA's Jason Aspes, who predicts that “the next two to three years will see a plateau in paddle technology, but not before we get some more major breakthroughs.”
New rules limiting paddle performance might actually fuel creativity.
“Less restriction on construction methods will lead to designs we haven’t even thought of yet,” Aspes adds.
Stricter paddle-testing protocols could limit brute-force gameplay, restoring balance and rewarding finesse.
As the sport evolves, innovation won’t just come from paddles. Automated ball machines like the ERNE are already elevating practice sessions with customizable drills.
International explosion
Pickleball’s fastest growth is happening far beyond U.S. borders.
Cultural fit and regional interest in racket sports have created fertile ground for pickleball’s expansion. Countries like Vietnam, India, Japan, and Singapore are embracing the sport with growing leagues and grassroots movements.
In Vietnam alone, courts are popping up weekly, with leagues growing so competitive that local players are on par with mid-tier U.S. professionals.
Global competitions are also on the rise. The Pickleball World Series, launching in 2025, promises to blend action-packed play with international representation.
“We’re seeing the beginning of a truly global league system,” says Pranav Kohli, CEO of Pickleball Asia. This expansion is also bringing international stars into U.S. pro events, challenging the homegrown dominance.
The launch of PPA Asia and MLP Asia will take this momentum to new heights. Starting in 2025, these tours will bring pro-level competition to iconic venues across Asia, blending local talent with international stars.
Schools drive even more growth
The pickleball community has long joked about an inevitable inclusion in the NCAA program.
But focusing on that achievement undersells what's already happening in schools across the nation and at different levels of education:
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Pickleball scholarships, clubs, & investments in dedicated courts have ramped up at universities and will likely continue into 2025 & beyond.
- High schools have also started intramural leagues, inspiring competition between towns & districts.
- After school programs in elementary & middle schools are building on the introduction to the sport many students first have in gym class.
Brand shakeups & market consolidation
With the global pickleball market projected to hit $4.4 billion by 2033, legacy brands like Selkirk and JOOLA are now facing pressure from sports giants like Nike, Wilson, and Adidas.
The result will be fierce competition, brand consolidations, and an inevitable shakeout of smaller players coming in 2025.
“2025 is when we’ll see peak brand saturation,” says Young. He anticipates many brands consolidating or disappearing altogether.
In this crowded marketplace, the battle isn’t just about paddles. Footwear is emerging as a critical category.
Expect gear innovation to continue evolving, driven by both player demand and the sport’s expanding global footprint.
The changing game
The game itself is evolving, too. With faster paddles and more athletic players, pickleball is shifting toward quicker exchanges and aggressive playstyles.
“Paddles are so hot right now that we’re seeing more players go for body bags,” notes James Ignatowich in his newsletter. “It’s going to force new defensive strategies to adapt.”
Strategically, teams are embracing righty/lefty combos with dominant backhands, making kitchen battles more dynamic.
Off-speed shots and dink winners, popularized by Anna Leigh Waters, will become staples at all levels. However, changes in paddle testing could slow the game slightly, allowing for more extended rallies and tighter control in doubles play.
As pickleball rockets into 2025, it’s clear the sport is reaching new heights never previously thought possible.
Read Next: How Many People Play Pickleball? 2024 Sees All-Time High in Participation
With professional events growing, technology pushing boundaries, and international players stepping into the spotlight, the next few years are shaping up to be the most exciting in pickleball history.
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