The United States remains the undisputed home of pickleball, and the numbers leave little room for argument. The latest 2026 Topline Participation Report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) puts the total at 24.3 million American players in 2025, a 22.8 percent jump from the previous year and a staggering 171.8 percent increase over just three years.
Key Takeaways
- US Dominance: The SFIA confirms pickleball as America's multi-year growth leader, boasting 16.8 million casual and 7.48 million core players.
- Global Shift: New DUPR data highlights exponential growth outside North America, with countries starting from smaller bases but skyrocketing in participation.
- Asia's Epicenter: The Asian continent is the undisputed powerhouse of this global expansion, with multiple nations experiencing incredible surges.
- Philippines Leads: The Philippines stands out with an astounding 1,213% increase in DUPR users, showcasing the fastest growth on Earth.
America’s Pickleball Boom Goes Beyond Casual Players
The SFIA didn’t mince words about what those numbers mean, calling pickleball the dominant multi-year growth leader across every sport it tracks. The participation figures also reveal a meaningful split between casual and committed players.
Casual players, defined as those picking up a paddle between one and seven times a year, reached 16.8 million, while core players, who play eight or more times annually, climbed to 7.48 million. That growth shows America’s pickleball boom isn’t simply driven by curiosity. Millions of players are returning to the court regularly, pointing to genuine and growing commitment to the sport.
Global Pickleball Markets Are Catching Fire
Beyond American shores, however, the growth story looks rather different. New data from DUPR, tracking participation over the past 12 months, reveals a group of countries growing at rates the U.S. simply can’t match anymore. Instead, these emerging markets are starting from a much smaller base and rocketing upward, creating some of the fastest-growing pickleball communities in the world.
Here’s the full top 10, counted down from 10th to 1st.
Vietnam: A Giant Already Playing
Coming in at tenth, Vietnam presents a unique case: its growth is impressive not from a small base, but from an already gargantuan one. Research from UPA Asia and YouGov indicates a staggering 88 percent awareness and 37 percent regular play, translating to over 16 million frequent players. Even a modest growth year here adds colossal numbers to the global tally.
Malaysia: A Southeast Asian Stronghold
Malaysia has quietly solidified its position as a global pickleball powerhouse. It ranks an astonishing third worldwide in total DUPR users, trailing only the United States and Canada. Even more remarkably, Kuala Lumpur stands as the second-highest city globally for DUPR users, surpassed only by Austin, Texas. High-profile events like the Leapmotor APP Asia Penang Open 2026 and the upcoming Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup 2026 underscore the nation's profound commitment.
Singapore: Urban Sophistication Embraces the Court
Reflecting a broader pattern across affluent, urbanized Southeast Asian markets, Singapore has seen pickleball transition from a niche activity to a genuine social fixture. Excellent court access and increasing disposable income have created fertile ground for the sport's widespread adoption. The recent Leapmotor Singapore Open 2026 offered undeniable proof of the Lion City's burgeoning pickleball culture.
South Korea: Sustaining Its Meteoric Rise
South Korea has consistently been a standout performer on DUPR's platform, previously holding the title of the single fastest-growing country for new users. This explosive trajectory continues unabated, fueled by a flourishing "court culture" with new venues, like those in Seoul Forests, sprouting across its cities.
Thailand: Racquet Sport Legacy Fuels New Passion
Alongside India, Thailand exemplifies how pickleball can thrive in nations with large, active populations and a rich history of racquet sports. The country's growing pickleball landscape is evident in the high-level tournaments it has hosted, including the Siam Pickleball Tournament 2025 presented by Skechers and the WPC Asia Pickleball Open Powered by Wine Connection (2025), showcasing robust community engagement.
Japan: United Front, Rapid Expansion
Japan's impressive growth coincides with a pivotal organizational moment: the merger of its two leading governing bodies into Pickleball Japan in April 2026. This unified structure provides a powerful launchpad for accelerated development. Infrastructure is rapidly expanding, finding homes not just in dedicated centers, but within hotels and shopping malls. Just last month, Japan unveiled its largest pickleball center in Shizuoka, signaling serious intent.
India: From Zero to World Stage in a Decade
India's growth trajectory is arguably the most dramatic in terms of sheer infrastructure development. Incredibly, the country transformed from having virtually no pickleball courts in 2016 to hosting a World Championship by 2024. This astonishing feat compresses decades of typical sports development into less than ten years, showcasing unprecedented ambition and adoption.
China: Government-Backed Global Ambitions
China's pickleball surge is being actively engineered from the highest levels, with government-backed fitness initiatives reportedly targeting an astounding 100 million players nationwide by 2030. If realized, this goal would eclipse every other market combined. Intriguingly, China and the US are also engaging in a unique "pickleball diplomacy," exemplified by recent student tours and friendly matches, fostering cultural exchange through sport.
Indonesia: Demographic Dividend Drives Discovery
Indonesia's remarkable leap reflects a consistent pattern across much of Asia: a colossal, youthful, and rapidly urbanizing population discovering a sport that demands minimal space or equipment to begin. This demographic sweet spot creates ideal conditions for rapid, widespread adoption, propelling Indonesia into the upper echelons of global growth.
The Philippines: An Unstoppable Explosion (1,213% Growth!)
Nothing on this list comes remotely close to the explosive growth witnessed in the Philippines. A mind-blowing 1,213 percent increase in DUPR users over just 12 months isn't just growth; it's a full-blown phenomenon. This incredible surge is palpable across the nation, driving a rapid build-out of professional infrastructure, from new franchise leagues to purpose-built venues. The country is racing to keep pace with a player base that has expanded faster than almost anywhere else on Earth.
The Future Is Asian: A Shifting Global Balance
This list reinforces findings from a 2025 UPA Asia and YouGov study, which found that around 812 million people across Asia have played pickleball at least once, with roughly 282 million playing monthly. While the U.S. still leads in dedicated players, its dominance could face growing pressure from fast-rising markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. The global pickleball power shift is already underway.
