The Rise of Pickleball Social Clubs: Inside One of America’s Fastest-Growing Sports
- Dr. K.
- Dec 5, 2025
- 3 min read
When I visited California Smash, a pickleball club in El Segundo recently, the first thing that stood out was how the space was designed for more than play. Courts were busy, but the couches, tables, and open viewing areas made it clear that people weren’t only there to compete. Groups were treating the facility the way people typically use lounges, cafés, or casual gathering spots. The environment felt bright, clean, and intentionally social — a layout that mirrors a larger trend happening across the country.
Pickleball has become the fastest-growing recreational activity in the U.S., and the numbers confirm it.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports that 19.8 million Americans played pickleball in 2024, a 45.8% jump from the previous year and a 311% increase since 2021. Some industry research places the broader figure even higher, estimating that nearly 50 million U.S. adults have played at least once in the past 12 months. Courts have followed that demand: there are now tens of thousands of places to play, with new courts and dedicated clubs opening weekly.
This growth has expanded the sport in two directions at once: casual participation and professional visibility. On the professional side, pickleball has moved beyond hobby status. Major League Pickleball (MLP) now has city-based teams, televised tournaments, and high-dollar prize pools. Celebrity and athlete investors — including LeBron James, Tom Brady, Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, Kevin Durant, and others — have ownership stakes in competitive teams.
That kind of backing accelerates attention and investment, but it hasn’t altered the sport’s defining feature: it’s easy for anyone to try.
That accessibility is the reason pickleball is increasingly being used as a social activity. The learning curve is short, equipment is minimal, and games are quick. Groups can rotate in and out without needing instruction or athletic background, making it practical for friends, families, coworkers, and mixed-ability groups. It lands in a rare middle ground — active but not strenuous, organized but not formal.
This is where the rise of pickleball social clubs comes in. New facilities across major cities — from Austin to Denver, Seattle to Miami — are designed around the idea that people want movement and socializing in the same space. These clubs often include:
multiple courts
lounge seating and viewing areas
food menus or bars
event rooms
rental equipment
and corporate booking packages
They function less like traditional sports centers and more like social wellness spaces, where the activity is the anchor but not the entire experience. People play, take breaks, watch others, talk, sit, and stay longer than the game itself requires. In this sense, pickleball is closer to bowling, ping-pong lounges, or climbing gyms — activities that double as social plans.
The corporate world has recognized the utility of this format. Companies now book courts for team-building sessions and off-sites because the environment is structured but low-pressure. One hour of play offers enough activity to feel different from a meeting room without requiring athletic skill. Clubs have responded by pricing courts for groups, offering bundles, and designing spaces that support both play and conversation.
Affordability varies. Public park courts are typically free. Private clubs charge anywhere from affordable hourly rates to premium pricing for courts paired with lounges or event rooms. Despite the variation, the demand remains strong because pickleball fits the way many people prefer to spend time: doing something active without the intensity of a workout or the formality of a class.
Viewed together, these shifts — rapid participation growth, professionalization of the sport, celebrity investment, and the expanding footprint of social-oriented clubs — point to a broader movement in how Americans are approaching wellness and social connection. People want experiences that feel easy to join, easy to enjoy, and easy to share with others. Pickleball delivers exactly that: a simple structure that brings people together.
The El Segundo club I visited is just one example, but the pattern is nationwide. Pickleball is no longer just a sport. It has become a reliable, accessible way for people to gather — part activity, part hangout, part social wellness experience. And as more courts open and more clubs evolve their offerings, the model is likely to become a lasting part of how communities spend time together.
