Rules, equipment, courts, and how to start playing pickleball today.
Pickleball is played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court, using a paddle to hit a plastic ball back and forth. Born from a mix of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, the ball’s holes keep even a hard-hit shot from flying too fast, making rallies easy to sustain even for beginners. Often described with three words — easy, simple, and stylish — it’s gaining popularity along with an upbeat, urban image.
Singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2, the more common format)
The same as a badminton doubles court (6.1m × 13.41m)
A paddle and a perforated plastic ball
A lifelong sport with just the right intensity — not too easy, not too intense — enjoyed by kids and seniors alike
Pickleball has been reported as “the fastest-growing sport” in the United States through the 2020s. The market is expanding quickly too, projected to nearly double from about $1.47 billion in 2023 to about $2.91 billion by 2030.
Source: SFIA (Sports & Fitness Industry Association); market size figures are estimates from Maximize Market Research.
Co-founder of Microsoft. The Gates family has close ties to pickleball’s founders, and Bill Gates himself has been playing for over 50 years — still enjoying the game today with friends and fellow tech leaders.
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor. He and his wife Amal Clooney are such fans that they built a dedicated pickleball court in their backyard.
Tennis champion with 23 Grand Slam singles titles. She discovered pickleball as an alternative to tennis and has said she loves playing it with friends and her sister.
NBA player known for his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. He and friend LeBron James co-own a Major League Pickleball team, and he’s active in growing the sport.
Tennis champion with 8 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. He’s played pickleball alongside former tennis stars John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang, drawing attention in celebrity tournaments.
See History for the story of how pickleball began, Rules for the basics of how a match works, and Court for court dimensions and layout.
Pickleball Japan