Recently, one sport has been gaining immense popularity worldwide and has even caught the eye of Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates. In a podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, 68-year-old Gates shared that he plays ‘pickleball’ regularly.
Intrigued, I started exploring – pickleball – a sport that’s rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse, both globally and right here in our backyard. While it may not be an Olympic sport (yet), its meteoric rise is nothing short of spectacular.
It’s actually interesting how pickleball came into being.
On a rainy afternoon in Washington, USA, three neighbours – congressman Joel Pritchard, businessman Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – came up with a fun idea to keep their kids entertained. They used some old Ping-Pong paddles and a perforated ball to play on a badminton court. This simple game was the beginning of pickleball and this was all the way back in 1965.
During the pandemic, when the entire world was confined indoors, many Americans were looking for ways to stay healthy and active. Pickleball became popular because it can be played on a small court, about a quarter the size of a tennis court, which can easily fit in parking spaces or backyards.
Source – Tenor
The global rise of pickleball
I was surprised to learn that a sport that barely registered on the global radar a decade ago is now played by hundreds of millions worldwide –
- In the United States, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport for the third year in a row, with participation leapfrogging by 223.5% in the last three years.
- In 2023, there were an estimated 48.3 million pickleball players in the United States, according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP).
- Pickleball has found its way into over 70 countries, with international federations sprouting up faster than you can say “dink shot” (a soft shot in pickleball.)
The pickleball market is on a roll
The economic ripples of this paddle-wielding game are worth looking at.
As of 2022, the global pickleball market was estimated at USD 1.32 billion, and it’s anticipated to reach USD 2.36 billion in 2028, with a CAGR of 10.17%. That’s not just growth; that’s a massive leap. It’s as if pickleball has discovered an economic sweet spot that other sports can only dream of.
The job market, too, is feeling the pickleball effect. From coaches and equipment manufacturers to event organisers and facility managers, thousands of new jobs are being created. It’s a diverse employment ecosystem that’s as vibrant as the sport itself.
Let’s not forget the tourism boost. The 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships in Dallas, for instance, wasn’t just a tournament; it was an economic event, drawing thousands of players and spectators and pumping millions into the local economy.
The National Championship, the largest pickleball tournament in history, has added a new feather to Dallas’ sports cap, with an estimated economic impact of USD 10 million (INR 84 crore at the time of writing), according to the Dallas Sports Commission.
Organisers estimated over 3,500 amateur and professional competitors, marking a 50% increase from the 2022 championships in California. Approximately 25,000 fans are said to have shown up—nearly 5x the 2022 tally of 5,552 fans.
The potential seems to be limitless in this segment.
Pickleball’s success in India
Now, let me bring the focus home to India, where pickleball is writing its own unique success story. pickleball is making inroads in India, although its growth here is still in the nascent stages compared to countries like the United States.
The number of players and facilities has been increasing over the past few years. Pickleball courts are beginning to appear in various cities, though they’re not yet as commonplace as cricket pitches or badminton courts.
- According to the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), there are about 8,000 registered pickleball players in India and another 35,000 amateur players. This number is expected to balloon to 1 million players in the next 5 years.
- The AIPA is actively promoting the sport across the country. Gaurav Natekar, a former tennis star and Arjuna Awardee, is behind India’s World Pickleball League. His company, Natekar Sports and Gaming (NSG) has committed to a substantial investment of USD 10 million (INR 84 crore at the time of writing) in the next 3-5 years to promote the sport, not just in India but across the Asia-Pacific region.
- What’s particularly interesting is the backing this league has received. Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India (SETVI), a joint venture between two entertainment giants, Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is supporting this initiative.
- KheloMore, a digital sports platform, and the AIPA are teaming up to set up 100 new pickleball courts across the country over the next two years. With a substantial investment of INR 5 crore, these state-of-the-art facilities will be officially affiliated with AIPA, setting a new standard for the sport in India.
This level of investment and corporate backing suggests that pickleball might be poised for significant growth in India. It’s a fascinating example of how sports, entertainment, and business can intersect to potentially create new economic opportunities.
Sectors likely to benefit from the pickleball wave
To promote any sport effectively, it’s crucial to make the sport and its equipment accessible to everyone. According to a report by the International Institute of Sports and Management and the AIPA, this sector offers USD 2.2 billion worth of opportunities.
4 major sectors are expected to gain traction from the rising popularity of pickleball –
- Real estate – Real estate developers are also always looking for the next big thing. They are incorporating pickleball courts into new residential complexes in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. It’s becoming as essential an amenity as a swimming pool or a gym.
In fact, spaces once occupied by struggling retail chains in malls are now being transformed into entertainment and sportstainment hubs, with pickleball as the centrepiece. Communities, clubs, and private homeowners are investing in and renovating courts, while private companies are collaborating with public entities to sponsor and subsidise facilities for play.
It seems pickleball is not just a sport; it’s becoming a lifestyle choice that’s shaping our urban landscape. - Equipment and apparel – Players are purchasing everything from rackets, paddles, and balls to sport-specific footwear, jewellery, and accessories. A standout example is Ymak, an Indian firm specialising in padel equipment. Each year, they host a tournament with the lowest admission costs, and they were among the first to recognise Tejas Mahajan, India’s top player, sponsoring him early in his tennis career.
Another notable example is Pro World. Indian businessman Siddharth Hazare, initially connected to cricket, tried pickleball and quickly became passionate about the sport. He went on to establish Pro World Talent, which now hosts the Ultimate Pickleball Championship—one of India’s largest pickleball tournaments. Hazare also owns a pickleball centre in Andheri West, Mumbai, which offers equipment and fosters a thriving pickleball community. - Digital ventures (apps and online training) – Pickleball-related apps and online training platforms may sprout as potentially lucrative avenues. These include scorekeeping tools, training resources, and event management solutions. These digital ventures cater to tech-savvy players and represent the sport’s growing integration with technology.
- Tourism – States like Goa and Kerala are eyeing pickleball as a way to attract sports tourists during off-peak seasons. It’s a whole new avenue for our tourism industry.
The economic impact of pickleball in India is still emerging, and we should be keeping a close eye on it. While we don’t yet see the large-scale economic effects observed in more mature pickleball markets like the US, there are hints of potential.
In summary:
As the pickleball community continues to expand, it’s clear that the future of this sport in India is filled with opportunities, increasing participation, and potential for international success.
India’s pickleball journey is more than just about a sport; it’s a movement. The recent win at the prestigious Bainbridge Cup has put India on the international map, and ambitions are growing. There’s already talk of launching a national pickleball league, with even Olympic aspirations being discussed.
Rajath Kankar, General Secretary of the Indian Pickleball Association and Karnataka State Pickleball Association observes the sport’s growing momentum, with more tournaments and championships being organised. “This sport is gaining popularity for three main reasons: fitness, competition, and recreation. The Indian Pickleball Association now includes 17 states, with Karnataka being one of them. We are now pushing for its official inclusion in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games,” he said to The Indian Express in June 2024.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is for informational purposes only.