Pickleball History

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History of Pickleball History

Pickleball’s journey from a quirky backyard game to a worldwide phenomenon is a story filled with innovation, community, and unexpected popularity.

Pickleball Timeline

1965

Pickleball is Invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA

  • Inventors: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum.
  • Origin: Created as a backyard game to entertain their children using ping pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a badminton court.
  • Name Origin: Allegedly named after the Pritchard family dog, "Pickles" (though some dispute this).

1967

First Permanent Pickleball Court Built

  • First permanent pickleball court constructed in the backyard of Bob O'Brian, a friend of the founders.
  • Marked the beginning of pickleball as a serious sport.

1972

Pickleball Begins Formal Development

  • A corporation is formed to protect the creation and growth of the sport.
  • Barney McCallum begins hand-crafting pickleball paddles from wood in his garage.

1976

First Official Pickleball Tournament Held

  • Location: South Center Athletic Club, Tukwila, Washington.
  • Mostly college tennis players; rules were still evolving.

1984

USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is Established

  • The first official pickleball rulebook is published.
  • Pickleball begins spreading to across the United States.

1990s

Steady Growth Across the U.S.

  • Popular in retirement communities, schools, and recreation centers.
  • Especially popular in Arizona and Florida.

2005

Modern USAPA Reforms to Promote National Growth

  • New leadership and organised tournaments.
  • Online resources and outreach campaigns launch.

2009

First USA Pickleball National Tournament

  • Held in Buckeye, Arizona.
  • Over 400 players from 26 states competed.

2011 - 2019

Pickleball Celebrates 50 Years

  • 50th anniversary recognised across the United States.
  • Pickleball expands internationally (United Kingdom, Canada, India, Spain, China, Thailand, Japan, Finland, Holland, France, and many other countries).

2015

International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) Created

  • First pickleball Teaching organisation created

2017

Pickleball Hall of Fame

  • Pickleball Hall of Fame was created

2018

USAPA Rebrands as USA Pickleball

  • Reflects the sport’s growing popularity and professional structure.
  • Technological advances in paddle design and court surfaces.

2019

APP Tour

  • APP Tour launched first USA sanctioned tour for professionals and amateurs.
  • PickleballTournaments.com listed 748 tournaments!

2020

Pickleball Surges During COVID-19 Pandemic and World Pickleball Day Announced

  • Outdoor and socially distant = perfect pandemic activity.
  • Millions of new players discover the sport.
  • WORLD PICKLEBALL DAY 10.10.20 is announced as an annual event

2021

Professional Pickleball Leagues Launch

  • Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) form.
  • Pro tournaments offer prize money, sponsorships, and media coverage.

2022

Pickleball Goes Mainstream

  • Featured on ESPN, Tennis Channel, and CBS.
  • Celebrities like Tom Brady and LeBron James invest in MLP teams.

2023

Olympic Recognition and Global Growth

  • Talks of inclusion in future Olympic Games begin.
  • USA Pickleball membership surpasses 70,000.
  • Recognised 3 years in a row as America’s fastest-growing sport.
  • ENGLISH OPEN first tournament outside North America to have over 1000 registered players.

2024

Worldwide Expansion of Pickleball

  • The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) reaches 70+ countries.
  • New courts, tournaments, and clubs pop up around the globe.