Pickleball’s Pro League Boom: Why America’s Fastest-Growing Sport Is Attracting Big Investors

By Jayson Panganiban June 08, 2025 12:41

Pickleball has surged from a niche pastime to America’s fastest-growing sport, and its professional leagues are experiencing a boom that’s capturing the attention of major investors. With participation skyrocketing and the sport’s infrastructure rapidly expanding, pickleball’s pro circuit is evolving into a lucrative entertainment product, attracting significant capital and sponsorship deals.

Explosive Growth Driving Pro League Expansion

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball participation in the U.S. grew an astounding 311% over the last three years, with nearly 20 million players recorded in 2024 a 45.8% increase from the previous year alone. Meanwhile, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) estimates even higher numbers, reporting over 48 million players in 2023. This massive influx of players has created a fertile ground for professional competition.

Major League Pickleball (MLP), the sport’s premier team-based league, exemplifies this growth. The 2025 season features 16 Premier teams and six Challenger teams, with a schedule packed with regular season events, mid-season tournaments, and playoffs. This expansion reflects both growing fan interest and the deepening talent pool, as the league now showcases the top 96 players globally.

Tom Cove, president and CEO of SFIA, encapsulates the sentiment: “You will find the pickleball craze is alive and well, still the fastest-growing sport in the United States”. Yet, despite this surge, infrastructure remains a bottleneck, with an estimated $855 million needed over the next 5-7 years to build enough courts to meet demand.

Why Investors Are Taking Notice

The rapid growth in participation and viewership has not gone unnoticed by investors. Pickleball’s broad demographic appeal spanning from younger adults to seniors offers a unique market opportunity. The average player age has dropped to 34.8 years, with the 25-34 age group now the largest segment, indicating a vibrant, engaged fan base that is attractive to sponsors.

Professional leagues like the PPA Tour and MLP have capitalized on this momentum by offering live scoring, streaming events, and expanding prize money, which topped $1 million in Australia’s Major League Pickleball Australia. These developments enhance the sport’s visibility and commercial viability.

Moreover, the sport’s co-ed team format and fast-paced, viewer-friendly matches make it ideal for broadcast and digital platforms. The MLP’s innovative competition structure, featuring men and women competing together, appeals to modern audiences seeking inclusive and dynamic sports content.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite the excitement, pickleball’s pro leagues face challenges, particularly in scaling infrastructure and securing consistent media rights deals. The shortage of dedicated courts limits tournament growth, and while participation numbers soar, converting casual players into paying spectators remains a work in progress.

However, the sport’s trajectory is promising. The proliferation of new paddles, balls, and brands 476 new manufacturers registered in 2024 alone signals a booming equipment market that complements league growth. This ecosystem attracts further investment, creating a virtuous cycle of growth.

Pickleball’s transformation from backyard pastime to professional spectacle is one of the most compelling sports stories of the decade. With participation exploding, leagues like Major League Pickleball expanding rapidly, and a growing fan base, the sport is attracting big investors eager to capitalize on its momentum. As infrastructure catches up and media exposure increases, pickleball’s pro leagues are set to become a staple of American sports entertainment, redefining what it means to build a modern, inclusive, and fast-growing sport.