What is Pickleball and How Did it Get So Popular?

With new complexes popping up across the country and televised tournaments on ESPN, pickleball seems almost unavoidable right now. So, what the heck is it and what are the rules?

We set out to answer a few common questions about the country’s fastest-growing sport below to help you catch up to the crowd.

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport, similar to tennis. It can be played indoors and outdoors by a set of singles players or two sets of doubles players.

One of the biggest differences between pickleball and tennis is the dimensions of the court. A regulation pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, whereas a tennis court is 78 feet long, and 27 feet wide for singles matches or 36 feet wide for doubles. Pickleball also uses a distinct ball and paddle in competition. The ball is made of hard plastic which bounces less than a tennis ball and the solid paddle is a little larger than one you might use in table tennis. A regulation paddle’s combined length and width cannot exceed 24 inches. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches high at the center. For official court dimensions, net height, non-volley zone and equipment specs, see USA Pickleball’s rules and court specifications on their official site, which detail the 20′ x 44′ court, 7′ non-volley zone, plastic hole-ball types and paddle limits (What Is Pickleball — USA Pickleball).

If you want to see the sport live, browse upcoming pickleball tickets on TicketSmarter.

When Was It Invented?

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Wash., at the home of Joel Pritchard. He, as well as Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, are credited with creating the game and establishing its rules.

Throughout the next few years, word spread about this accessible new sport and Pritchard created the company Pickle Ball, Inc., to manufacture and distribute wooden paddles. He trademarked the name in 1972 and held the first tournament in 1976 in Tukwila, Wash. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.) was formed in 1984 as the sport’s first governing body. It was reorganized in 2005 and is now USA Pickleball.

Why is Pickleball So Popular?

Pickleball initially gained popularity in schools and retirement communities due to its physical and social benefits. With its small court, the action is relatively contained meaning it does not require much movement. The sport saw another surge in participation during the COVID-19 pandemic as people looked for safe and socially-distanced activities to enjoy with friends.

According to a 2023 study from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, participation almost doubled in 2022 for an 85.7 percent increase year-over-year and reached about 8.9 million participants, with more than 44,000 pickleball venues in the U.S., highlighting the explosive growth and the infrastructure needed to keep up.

Beyond convenience, pickleball also delivers health benefits that appeal to a wide age range. Summaries of research note that play can provide moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise, increase step counts on play days, and in some controlled studies of older adults produce short-term improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol—factors that help explain adoption among older recreational players and community programs (Practical pointers for pickleballers — Harvard Health Publishing). The American Heart Association similarly highlights pickleball as a low-to-moderate intensity activity that can be safe and beneficial for people with heart conditions when done with medical guidance, reinforcing its appeal to older adults and community health programs (Some action on a pickleball court can be fun and safe, even with a heart condition — American Heart Association).

Today, cities and private operators are converting tennis courts into multiple pickleball courts to meet demand, with fast-growing hubs in Florida, Arizona, and California. Purpose-built sites and club venues are also on the rise. For example, the PPA has hosted tour events in San Clemente at Life Time Fitness in California, giving fans easy access to top-tier play.

What Are The Rules?

USA Pickleball and the International Federation of Pickleball worked together to formalize the rules of the sport like its use of side-out scoring, meaning that only the service side can score a point. When serving, a player stands behind the baseline on one side of the center line and attempts to land the ball in the opponent’s diagonal service court. Both volley serves and drop serves are allowed.

Serving rules in brief:

Serves are underhand, and contact with the ball must be below the waist.
At contact, neither foot may touch the court on or inside the baseline.
Volley serve vs. drop serve: a volley serve is hit out of the air after the toss, while a drop serve is struck after the ball bounces, which can help control contact height.

Court basics:

The non-volley zone, often called the kitchen, runs 7 feet from the net on both sides; you cannot volley while in that zone.

In standard play, a singles player or doubles team must score 11 points while leading by at least two, in order to win a game. Some tournament games will require 15 or 21 points to secure victory. In doubles, each team has two serving turns per side-out and service continues with a player until a rally is lost.

Professional Competition

Though it is not an Olympic sport and is not included in the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), there are several professional organizations governing competitions.

The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) and Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tours are the largest, but Major League Pickleball (MLP) made a big splash in 2021. It attracted funding from several big-name athletes like tennis player Naomi Osaka as well as Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes of the NFL. Several NBA players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kevin Love have also committed to buy expansion teams. The PPA and MLP announced a merger in September of 2023 to eliminate competition for players and better coordinate schedules, and the consolidation was completed with new investment flowing into the sport in early 2024 (Major League Pickleball and PPA Tour complete merger — CNBC).

PPA concluded its 2024 season with a Tour Finals event in San Clemente, and MLP popularized a team-based match format that can use a Dreambreaker singles rotation if a match is tied. You can track team events and buy seats for upcoming league stops with Major League Pickleball tickets.

USA Pickleball National Championships

Nov. 6 – Nov. 12, 2023

Each year, thousands of competitors meet at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, Texas, for the USA Pickleball National Championships. Players qualify through a series of “Golden Ticket” events including regional championships, the Diamond Amateur Championship or the National Indoor Championship. The tournament will take place across 68 courts and is projected to be the largest pickleball tournament of all time.

Aspiring players often chase the Golden Ticket pathway to secure Nationals entry, with some divisions also using a registration lottery window. Fans can follow the calendar and grab seats to regional showcases like the Valero Texas Open as the road to Nationals unfolds.

This pickleball rally 😱

John McEnroe was amped up after scoring a point 🔋

📺: 2023 @pickleballslam on ESPN pic.twitter.com/QeP6TANeOr

— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2023

Pickleball Slam

Feb. 4, 2024

This innovative tournament pits some of the greatest tennis players against each other on the pickleball court for a $1 million purse. Pickleball Slam 2, which will take place next February at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., will feature John McEnroe, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi and Stephanie Graf. Agassi teamed up with Andy Roddick to defeat McEnroe and Michael Chang in the inaugural Pickleball Slam event. Fans can secure seats and compare prices for upcoming showcases with Pickleball Slam tickets on TicketSmarter.

Buy Pickleball Tickets

Whether you want to catch a local tournament through the PPA or catch a week of competition USA Pickleball National Championships, you can find pickleball tournament tickets with TicketSmarter.

Browse all live sports and upcoming pickleball events any time on the TicketSmarter homepage, or jump straight to pro team showcases with Major League Pickleball tickets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does pickleball differ from tennis in court size, equipment, and gameplay rules?

A pickleball court is 44 by 20 feet, much smaller than a tennis court. The plastic ball has holes and bounces lower than a tennis ball, and paddles are solid with a 24 inch combined length and width limit. Scoring uses side-outs so only the serving team scores. The non-volley zone near the net changes tactics at the kitchen. You can compare formats in person by grabbing pickleball tickets on TicketSmarter.

What are the official serve rules and the difference between volley and drop serves?

Serves are underhand, struck below the waist with feet behind the baseline. A volley serve is hit out of the air after the toss. A drop serve is hit after the ball bounces, which can help newer players with timing. When you attend events found through TicketSmarter, you will see both styles used at high levels.

Why has pickleball surged in popularity and where are new venues being built?

It offers social play and quick rallies with lower joint impact, which helps schools and older adults adopt it. Cities are converting tennis courts to meet demand, and purpose-built facilities are opening across Sunbelt states and major metros. TicketSmarter lists events at venues like Life Time Fitness in San Clemente when pro circuits visit.

What are standard scoring formats and win-by-two rules for pickleball matches?

Most games are to 11, win by 2. Some tournaments run to 15 or 21. Only the serving side scores under side-out scoring. In certain team formats, ties can be decided with a Dreambreaker singles rotation. You can watch it live by purchasing pickleball tickets on TicketSmarter.

How did pickleball originate and who invented it?

The sport began in 1965 at Joel Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island with co-creators Barney McCallum and Bill Bell. The rules evolved from a backyard game to formalized competition, and the governing body now operates as USA Pickleball.

What professional tours exist and how do APP, PPA, and MLP compare?

APP and PPA are tournament tours, while MLP is a team-based league with franchise-style clubs and unique match formats. Consolidation efforts have aligned schedules and player pools. You can follow pro team stops with Major League Pickleball tickets and browse tour events on TicketSmarter.

How do players qualify for the USA Pickleball National Championships and what is a Golden Ticket?

Amateurs earn priority entry by winning or placing at designated Golden Ticket events, with some divisions using a registration lottery window for Nationals. Keep an eye on regional showcases like the Valero Texas Open and find seats through TicketSmarter.

What should I know about paddles and balls when starting?

Most paddles use a polymer core for a balance of power and control. A wider face increases the sweet spot. Outdoor balls with more holes stabilize flight in wind. When you attend events discovered on TicketSmarter, you will see gear that matches USA Pickleball specifications.

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Author: TicketSmarter Editorial Team
Updated: January 17, 2026

The TicketSmarter team covers live events, venues, and fan guides to help you find and buy tickets with confidence. We research schedules, rules, and venues so you can enjoy the match.