Pickleball : America’s Fastest-Growing Sport Gains Unprecedented Momentum
Dallas, TX – Pickleball has firmly established itself as America’s fastest-growing sport, showcasing record-breaking participation, soaring viewership, and significant revenue growth.
As the United Pickleball Association (UPA) marks the fourth National Pickleball Day (originating in 2021), it aims to expand the sport’s global reach, continuing to share its excitement with fans and players worldwide.
In early 2024, the Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball merged under the United Pickleball Association umbrella.
As a global leader in the sport, the UPA announced plans to hold five international PPA Tour events in 2025, spanning Australia, India, Canada, Europe, and Asia, introducing top-tier players to new regions around the globe.
“The remarkable surge in pickleball’s popularity is thanks to our committed athletes, enthusiastic fans, and innovative growth strategies,” expressed Connor Pardoe, CEO & Founder of the PPA Tour.
“Our increases in participation, viewership, and revenue indicate that we are only beginning to unlock pickleball’s global potential.”
MLP CEO Bruce Popko added, “Since the merger in February, we’ve experienced rapid business growth, including strategic partnerships and expansion across all platforms, such as linear media, streaming, and social channels.
The second half of the MLP season promises to lead into an exhilarating 2024 Playoffs, potentially our best event to date.”
Professional Achievements of the Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball
The Carvana PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball continue to shape the sport’s future, hosting over 130 elite players, including stars like Anna Leigh Waters (USA), Ben Johns (USA), Catherine Parenteau (CAN), and Jack Sock (USA).
United Pickleball Association Highlights
- Approximately 130 contracted athletes are projected to earn over $30 million in prize money and payouts in 2024, with the top 100 averaging over $300,000 annually.
- The top five earners will average $1.5 million each this year.
- Female athletes within the UPA receive equal pay to their male counterparts, with top broadcasters frequently featuring women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
- Sponsorships for the UPA have grown by 55% from July 2023 to July 2024.
- PPA Tour sponsors include Carvana, Veolia, Humana, Skechers, and Southwest Airlines.
- Major League Pickleball sponsors comprise Margaritaville, Advil, Cigna, The Botanist Gin, and others.
Carvana PPA Tour Highlights
- Ticket sales for the PPA Tour are set to increase by 110% from 2023 to 2024.
- Broadcast viewership doubled from January-June 2023 to the same period in 2024.
- Over 20 million viewers watched live PPA Tour events in 2023 on major networks like ESPN, CBS, and Fox Sports, with an average of 1 million viewers per event.
- The two-hour broadcast of the Carvana Mesa Arizona Cup’s mixed doubles and women’s singles gold medal matches on FOX drew 501,000 viewers, surpassing popular NCAA basketball games and PGA Tour broadcasts.
- Amateur participation surged by 50% in 2023.
- The 2024 Vizzy Atlanta Open saw nearly 1,600 participants, marking it as the largest Carvana PPA Tour event to date.
MLP by Margaritaville Highlights
- The most-watched match in MLP history aired on July 13 on ESPN2.
- The league experienced a 150% growth in combined impressions and a 98% increase in total followers across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok compared to 2023.
- There was an 83% year-over-year growth in team-based, coed events.
- Linear telecast hours on networks like ESPN2, FoxSports, and Tennis Channel are expected to increase by almost 50% in 2024.
- Iconic team co-owners such as Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant continue to support the league.
Pickleball saw an impressive 52% increase in participation from 2022 to 2023, outpacing the next fastest-growing sport by more than 33 percentage points. The UPA continues to foster this growth, expanding the sport’s reach globally.
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