The Court
A regulation court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles.
Learn the Game
Pickleball Fact Sheet
A quick introduction to America’s fastest-growing sport—its growth, origins, court, equipment, and distinctive rules.
The Growth of Pickleball
A Sport for Millions
Participation continues to climb across the United States and across age groups.
24.3M
Americans played pickleball in 2025
5 Years
Fastest-growing U.S. sport through 2025
171.8%
Participation growth from 2022–2025
1965
Year pickleball was invented
The Basics
Pickleball at a Glance
Easy to begin, social by nature, and filled with strategy as skills develop.
The Net
The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center.
The Kitchen
A 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net encourages placement and strategy.
The Equipment
Players use a rigid paddle and a lightweight plastic ball with 26–40 circular holes.
Singles or Doubles
The same court accommodates one player or two players on each side of the net.
The Two-Bounce Rule
The serve and return must each bounce before either team may begin volleying.
Where It Started
Born on Bainbridge Island
Pickleball began in Washington in 1965 when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum improvised a family game using ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a lowered badminton net.
Today it is played indoors and outdoors for recreation, fitness, social connection, and competition.
Official Resources
USA Pickleball is the sport’s national governing body. SFIA tracks U.S. participation and industry growth.
Ready to Learn?
Visit our beginner page for local guidance and your next steps on the court.
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