A continent-wide survey spanning 12 Asian territories puts hard numbers on a trend that local clubs already feel: pickleball is booming. Roughly 1.9 billion people in those markets recognise the sport’s name, while around 282 million step onto a court at least once a month.
“We have witnessed the rapid rise of pickleball in the United States in recent years and have every reason to believe that the explosion of growth in Asia could be just as huge, if not bigger,” - Kimberly Koh, Managing Director, UPA Asia
Highlights from the Study
- Awareness grew 60 percent year-on-year.
- 62 percent of respondents first heard about the game in the past two years, proof of lightning-fast word-of-mouth.
- Vietnam tops the charts for recognition (88 percent of adults) and logs a 152 percent annual jump in awareness.
- Malaysia shows a 132 percent awareness leap, while India boasts the world’s largest active base - about 178 million monthly players.
- China follows with more than 60 million regular participants.
Four Reasons Asia Is Primed for Pickleball
- Racket-Sport DNA
- Nations steeped in badminton, table tennis, and tennis already have coaches, venues, and a fan culture ready to convert.
- Space-Saving Courts
- One 44 ft × 20 ft court fits on a badminton floor or across a tennis court, ideal for dense cities.
- All-Ages Accessibility
- Lightweight paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a slightly lower net mean long rallies with minimal joint strain.
- Community First
- Asked why they started playing, 35 percent cited pure fun, 33 percent named fitness, and nearly a third said friends or family roped them in.
A Quick Primer for Newcomers
- Court: 44 ft × 20 ft (smaller than tennis)
- Net: 34 in at centre
- Format: Singles or, most commonly, doubles
- Scoring: First to 11, win by two
The gentle learning curve lures veterans of tennis, badminton, and squash; 28 percent of new players come from those sports.
From Quirky Origins to Pro Tours
Invented in 1965 by U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard as a backyard diversion, pickleball borrowed its name from a “pickle boat” - the slowest crew in a race. Six decades on, it commands professional circuits. UPA Asia’s PPA Tour Asia launches this July, and Major League Pickleball Asia follows in 2026.
“We are at a key inflection point in the history of our sport… PPA Tour Asia starting in July, and Major League Pickleball Asia in 2026, will showcase the sport at the highest level across Asia, providing platforms for stars to display their skills and engage new audiences.” - Kimberly Koh
Momentum Echoes in the UK
Pickleball England reports a 65 percent membership surge, estimating 35,000 active players nationwide.
“Anyone who picks up a paddle and has a play knows the joy, that inner child just comes out playing this game. I can’t describe it any better than that, inner joy is what this game promotes.” - Karen Mitchell, Chair and Co-founder, Pickleball England
Celebrity advocates - from Leonardo DiCaprio to the Kardashians - have amplified that buzz, making pickleball a staple of lifestyle headlines.
Eyes on the Rings
With global reach, mixed-gender formats, youth appeal, and low infrastructure costs, pickleball aligns neatly with Olympic criteria. The calendar sets up a tantalising pathway:
- July 2025: PPA Tour Asia’s debut gives Asian athletes an Olympic-calibre showcase.
- 2026: Major League Pickleball Asia’s franchise model aims to build broadcast-friendly rivalries.
- 2027–2028: Likely evaluation window for new sports ahead of the 2032 Games - pickleball’s golden opportunity.
Final Rally
From dawn rallies on Manila rooftops to packed gyms in Mumbai and under-floodlight matches in Hanoi, Asia’s pickleball courts hum with cross-generational energy. The numbers confirm what paddles on the ground already know: this sport’s moment has arrived. If the Olympic torch is looking for a discipline that marries inclusivity, excitement, and explosive growth, pickleball is already in ready position - paddle up, eyes on the podium.
