Pickleball is slowly but surely shedding its image as a retirement pastime or a fallback for those unable to play other sports. Its growing popularity among the younger generation – especially university students across the United States – signals a new chapter in the sport’s rise as the fastest-growing athletic trend in America.
Students across the country are hitting the courts in large numbers. The latest pattern in pickleball also raises a crucial question – what has spurred the paradigm shift in its demographic appeal?
A recent study conducted by SUNY Brockport associate professor Mark Chang identified several factors behind pickleball’s emergence as a popular college sport. The research also explored what encourages students to take up the game.
Explaining the dynamics behind pickleball’s rise in popularity on American college campuses, Chang said, “They (students) want to master some kind of skill, they want to win some kind of game, and they want to be connected and engage socially.”
Those with a background in racquet sports, especially tennis, have been captivated by the buzz around pickleball. Many were drawn to try the sport and, having developed a liking for it, opted to master their skills.
However, the most popular factor behind the movement remains pickleball’s image as a health and fitness sport. Its reputation as a low-impact aerobic activity that keeps people fit and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases – while also fostering friendships and social bonding – has significantly boosted its popularity.
A recent report by Inside Higher Ed, an American education website, also highlighted the ease of playing pickleball as a key factor driving its growing popularity. The sport does not demand advanced skills as a prerequisite, is played on smaller courts, involves less expensive equipment compared to tennis, and follows simple rules – all of which make it more accessible to beginners.
Universities respond positively
Tapping into the growing interest of students, colleges have responded positively – laying out new courts and facilities, hiring coaches and physiotherapists. The first college to open a pickleball court was the University of the Pacific in 2024. That number has surged in the past 12 months, with more educational institutions like Arkansas Tech University, Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern Illinois University, Columbus State University, Wright State University, Penn State University, Duke University, Troy University, the University of Alabama, Tulane University, and Baylor University committing to opening pickleball courts.
That the phenomenon is real can be confirmed by the students themselves. “These courts appeal to a broad demographic, even some of our students who may not be as familiar with fitness and recreation,” said University of Alabama VP of Student Life, Steven Hood. “It’s a great opportunity to connect and engage students, promoting physical activity.”
The US now has over 200 collegiate pickleball clubs operating nationwide, with growing demand for more facilities both on and off campus.
To further tap into the sport’s popularity, the DUPR Collegiate National Pickleball Championship was launched in 2022, with the University of Texas clinching the title in the second edition. Several universities have started offering scholarships to students with high potential in the sport, as part of efforts to bolster their pickleball squads.