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History

How pickleball was invented, and how it grew into a fast-growing sport in the United States.

How It Began

Pickleball was born in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, USA. Congressman Joel Pritchard, together with friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, was looking for a game the whole family could enjoy. On an old badminton court, they improvised with table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball — and pickleball was born.

1965

Three fathers invent pickleball for their families on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

1972

Pickle-Ball, Inc. is founded to promote the sport.

1976

The first official tournament is held in Washington State.

1984

The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is founded, establishing a unified rulebook.

2022

NBA star LeBron James and others acquire a Major League Pickleball (MLP) team, drawing attention to the sport as a business.

2024–present

The number of players in the U.S. reaches 19.8 million (up 311% over three years).

Source (U.S. player numbers): SFIA (Sports & Fitness Industry Association)

Where the Name “Pickleball” Comes From

There are several theories, but the most widely accepted is that Pritchard’s wife named it after “pickle boat,” a rowing term for a boat crewed by leftover oarsmen from other crews. Since pickleball itself mixes together elements of tennis, table tennis, badminton, and platform tennis, the name was said to fit.

A popular alternative story credits the family dog, Pickles — but since Pickles joined the family in 1968, three years after pickleball was invented, this is now considered unlikely to be the true origin.

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If you’re curious how a match is actually played, see Rules. To check out the court layout, see Court.