Pickleball: 128 Countries Now Have Courts to Play On

Pickleball is no longer a North American affair: it is now played in 128 countries around the world, a milestone that shows just how quickly this racquet sport has conquered the planet. With roughly 85,000 courts recorded worldwide, the discipline is settling in for good across every continent, from major Asian cities to European clubs and Oceania. This spectacular figure tells a simple story: pickleball meets a universal need for a sport that is accessible, friendly and quick to learn.

128 countries and 85,000 courts: the scale of a global phenomenon

Crossing the mark of 128 countries with courts means moving from the status of local curiosity to that of a truly international sport. The United States remains the historic heart of the discipline, with more than 82,000 courts on its own and tens of millions of players, but the most interesting momentum is now happening elsewhere. Countries such as India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are seeing dramatic adoption rates and are starting to build genuine ecosystems, with clubs, competitions and dedicated infrastructure.

This global spread is no accident. Pickleball is played on a small surface, with simple rules and lightweight equipment, which makes it enormously easy to set up. Where a tennis court requires a sizeable space, a pickleball court fits into a schoolyard, a repurposed parking lot, a gym or even a former retail space. This flexibility largely explains the speed at which the number of courts grows from one year to the next.

Growth driven by accessibility

If so many countries are adopting pickleball, it is above all because it lowers the barriers to entry. Someone who has never played a racquet sport can hit their first balls within minutes, which immediately creates enjoyment and the desire to come back. This ease of learning attracts a very broad audience, from teenagers to seniors, and fosters an intergenerational practice that is rare in the world of sport. Pickleball thus becomes a formidable tool for social connection, in neighborhoods as much as in companies.

On top of that comes an installation cost far lower than that of other sports facilities. For a local authority, a campsite or a club, creating several courts represents a manageable investment, often quickly paid off thanks to a high occupancy rate. It is this favorable economic equation that fuels the wave of construction observed all over the world, and which we analyze in detail in our overview of the pickleball market in France in 2026.

Where does France stand in this global dynamic?

France is fully part of this movement, even if it starts further back than the anglophone countries. The number of courts is growing rapidly there, driven by the conversion of tennis courts, the fitting out of gyms and the growing interest of local authorities. Pickleball particularly appeals to organizations looking to diversify their sports offer and reach new audiences without mobilizing large amounts of land. This trend should accelerate as the discipline gains media visibility.

For French project owners, the context is therefore very favorable. Demand exists, the uses are proven internationally, and feedback from mature markets makes it possible to avoid many mistakes. The question is no longer whether pickleball will settle in for good, but how to position oneself intelligently in a market that is still taking shape.

How to ride this boom to create a court?

Getting started with building a pickleball court is easier today than one might imagine, provided the project is well framed. The choice of surface, location and installation method depends on the intended use: recreational play, competitive club, complement to a hotel offer or municipal facility. We detail the entire process, from foundations to final line marking, in our complete guide explaining how to build a pickleball court.

The crux of the matter obviously remains financing. Good news: several support schemes exist to help create sports facilities, particularly for local authorities and associations. These levers often make it possible to significantly reduce the remaining cost of a project. We list the main solutions available on our page devoted to financing a pickleball court, an essential step for building a realistic budget.

A symbolic milestone, a market in full expansion

Reaching 128 countries equipped with courts is not just a flattering statistic: it is proof that pickleball has moved beyond the fad stage to become a lasting component of the global sports landscape. With 85,000 courts already in place and growth that shows no sign of slowing, the trajectory seems set for the years to come. For players, it means ever more places to play. For investors and local authorities, it is a window of opportunity to seize now, while the French market still has room to grow. Pickleball has conquered the world; there is still a great deal to build.