Pickleball is getting popular by the minute. Tournaments, events, and friendly games are being held all over the world, and players are getting more and more involved. Although most of you know Pickleball is a popular sport in the U.S. and Canada, many may wonder what other countries Pickleball has a following.
These are 20+ countries where Pickleball is played:
1. United States
This is where Pickleball was invented back in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, which is just a boat ride away from Seattle. It was first played by U.S. House of Representative Joel Pritchard and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum.
The most prestigious competition in the nation (and globally) is the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship which is usually held in April in Naples, Florida. Many spectators and Pickleball aficionados come to watch from all over the world.
2. Canada
In Canada, Pickleball started in the 1970s when snowbirds were returning home to share the beautiful sport they learned in the United States. One of the first Pickleball courts built in Canada was on the roof of the Doan Development building in Vancouver, BC.
Just like the United States, Canada holds many Pickleball tournaments throughout the year. The Canadian National Championship is one of the most known competitions. This tournament is exclusively for Canadian residents. If you are not Canadian, you can always participate in the Canadian Open Championship.
3. Spain
This is a country where racquet sports are quite popular. Two of them are Tennis and Padel (aka Platform tennis). And Pickleball is a sport trying to take place on the podium. Founded in 2012, the Pickleball Spain is the official Spanish Pickleball association responsible for all things Pickleball in the country.
4. India
All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) is a registered governing body with the goal to promote the sport of Pickleball in India. They conduct tournaments, demo events, and coaching camps for players who are interested in playing the game. This organization was established in 2008 by Sunil Valavalkar.
5. France
Pierre Obozinski, originally from Fayence, France, got introduced to Pickleball during a visit to Canada. A year later, in 2015, Pierre, with the help of some friends, will go into established Pickleball France, which is responsible for all things Pickleball in the country. The association organizes the French Open Pickleball Championship, which usually takes place in August.
6. England
The official Pickleball Association in England is called Pickleball England, and they are affiliated with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to promote the sport. This association provides coaching to new players and to those who are interested in Pickleball. The English Open Pickleball Tournament is the biggest competition in the country.
7. Netherlands
Pickleball made its way to the Netherlands back in 2013. The sport has been growing since then. The country holds the Dutch Open Championship every year.
8. Italy
Founded in 2018, Pickleball Italy (Italian Pickleball Association) is the governing body of all things Pickleball in the country. The biggest Pickleball event in the country is the Italian Open Pickleball Championships.
9. Australia
Pickleball Australia Association came to be in 2020. Its main purpose is to grow and develop the sport across Australia by introducing Pickleball to as many people as possible. The country holds the Australian Pickleball Championships every year.
10. Singapore
The sport was first introduced in Singapore back in 1990. Half a decade later, in 1995, the Singapore Pickleball Association (SPA), the national governing body for Pickleball, was founded. Their goal is to promote the growth and development of the sport in the country.
11. Scotland
12. Poland
13. Denmark
14. Japan
15. Turkey
16. Costa Rica
17. Belgium
18. South Africa
19. New Zealand
Pickleball New Zealand Association
20. Norway
21. Finland
Conclusion
Pickleball is indeed a growing sport, and it’s available throughout the world. The countries on this list offer different types of events, tournaments, and friendly places where you can play Pickleball.
Many associations are doing their best to spread the fantastic sport to the people in their country. Pickleball is indeed going to become a more popular sport in the coming years!
By no means is this list complete with each country where Pickleball is played, but we hope it helps you understand the growing popularity of this sport.