Pickleball: The Fastest Growing Sport You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard

Photos by paulwaringphoto.com

A quirky blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about sports in the UK. What began as a backyard invention in the 1960s has grown into a global phenomenon — and here in the UK, players are picking up paddles in record numbers.

“It’s absolutely exploded,” says Lindsey Hammond, Lancashire’s county representative for Pickleball England. “The growth in the past 18 months alone has been astronomical. It’s even popped up on Coronation Street and The Chase. It’s entered public consciousness in a big way.”

Pickleball’s origins go back to 1965 in Seattle, Washington, where friends Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell were trying to play badminton but didn’t have the right equipment. Improvising with wooden paddles and a plastic ball, they invented what we now know as pickleball. “Legend has it their dog, Pickle, kept running off with the ball — and that’s how the game got its name,” Lindsey laughs.

While it remained largely a North American curiosity for decades, the sport’s popularity rocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when outdoor activities became essential for socialising and exercise. “Celebrities like George Clooney, Kim Kardashian, and Leonardo DiCaprio started playing,” Lindsey adds, boosting the sport’s visibility on social media. In 2023, the English Open became the first tournament outside the U.S. to welcome over 1,000 players.

So, what exactly is pickleball? Played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered tennis net, the game is typically played in doubles using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Fast-paced but easier on the joints than many traditional racket sports, pickleball is designed for accessibility — and that’s part of its wide appeal.

“There’s this idea that pickleball is a sport for older people, which isn’t really true,” says Lindsey. “A lot of UK clubs were started by retirees who discovered the sport on cruise ships, but the demographic is changing fast. At our club, Northern Soul Pickleball in Blackburn, the average age is late twenties to early thirties.”

That doesn’t mean older players are left behind — in fact, one of pickleball’s unique charms is its inclusivity. “You could have an eight-year-old, a 28-year-old, a 50-year-old and an 80-year-old all playing on the same court. How many activities in modern life bring people of all ages together like that? There wouldn’t normally be people of all ages socialising and spending time together and forming friendships and bonds, and I think that’s a really magical thing.”

One member of the Blackburn club is living with Parkinson’s and still plays in regular sessions without any special accommodations. “He just joins in like everyone else — and that’s kind of the point,” Lindsey says. “It’s a sport where everyone can belong.”

That sense of community is a big reason why players keep coming back. Jane, a 70-year-old regular at Northern Soul Pickleball, says it’s the friendships that have kept her hooked. “I’m playing with people half my age, and it doesn’t matter. You meet people from all walks of life — people I’d probably never cross paths with otherwise. Everyone’s welcoming, everyone helps each other. It’s not just about the game. It’s about the group.”

Dan, 28, agrees. “I spend my Thursday nights chatting with people in their 60s who’ve retired. It’s really nice to have a place where everyone just gets on and talks to each other. That’s what I love about it. I’ll just go down for a natter.”

Though the majority of players enjoy the social, non-competitive side of pickleball, there’s a thriving tournament scene too. Lindsey entered the English Open after playing for just eight months — and walked away with a medal. “I think it’s amazing that a woman in her forties can take up a sport and have that kind of experience,” she says. “There’s no barrier to entry. It’s all about enthusiasm.”

And for many, once you start, you’re in for life. “It’s so addictive,” Lindsey laughs. “Before you know it, your entire social media feed is nothing but pickleball, and half the people in your contacts list have ‘PB’ after their name!”

With clubs springing up all over the country and leagues gaining momentum, there’s never been a better time to give pickleball a go. Lancashire is currently home to the largest league in the country, but wherever you are, there’s probably a court not far from you.

To find your nearest club and learn more about how to get started, visit pickleballengland.org. Whether you’re 18 or 80, competitive or just curious, chances are you’ll find yourself hooked and welcomed into one of the friendliest sporting communities around.

NorthernLife June/July/Aug 25