Pickleball is sweeping the nation, to become the fastest growing sport in the USA.

Across the country, there are now over 68,000 courts, over 18,000 were added in 2024 alone!

Players of all ages and skill levels are heading to courts across the country.

New facilities, leagues and coaching camps are appearing across every State.

But where are the best places to play?

Here’s our breakdown of the 5 best States for Pickleball players in the US?

Florida has long been known as a pickleball paradise.

With 1,228 known locations, it narrowly beats California in the number of places to play Pickleball.

Naples, in particular, has earned the title “Pickleball Capital of the World,” hosting the annual U.S. Open Pickleball Championships since 2016.

The East Naples Community Park is where they play out the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, and is famous throughout the Pickleball community for amazing facilities, value for money and being the centre of the Pickleball World!

It’s also home to the USOP National Pickleball Center.

 Pickleball Facilities at East Naples Community Park:

• Pickleball Welcome Center
• 6 Pickleball Championship Courts
• 59 Pickleball Courts
• National Pickleball Center

Why Florida?

• Year-round warm weather

• Amazing number of courts, clubs and communities

• Home to major tournaments and events

• Top Pro Players like Anna Bright, Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns, Ryan Sherry, and Kyle Yates all live in Florida

California is a close second to Florida as the best state for pickleball.

The “Golden State” rivals Florida on the east coast for the number of places picklers can get on court with 1,223 locations.

Major cities like Los Angeles and San Diego have vibrant pickleball scenes, but outside these main centers the sport is picking up and the number of players is rapidly growing throughout California.

Cali also has it’s own Pickleball Association which organises tournaments, camps and coaching at both indoor and outdoor facilities across the State.

California Pickleball Highlights:

• Strong community support and infrastructure

• Great climate for Pickleball

• Hosts numerous regional and national tournaments

• Innovative pickleball facilities and clubs

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including its pickleball presence!

With 941 locations, the Lone Star State has rapidly expanded its pickleball infrastructure over the past few years to become one of the US’s major pickleball hubs.

The state’s warm climate and love for sports make it a great place to play pickleball year-round.

Texas also hosts many tournaments and leagues, creating a dynamic and growing pickleball community.

Cities like Houston and Dallas lead the charge, offering plenty of courts and hosting major tournaments.

Texas Pickleball Perks:

• Rapid growth in pickleball indoor & outdoor facilities

• Year-round play

• Active tournament schedule

• Strong community engagement

• Big sports fan state

While most of the locations on our list of the best States for Pickleball over-index on year-round warm climates, the Northeast’s representative –  New York, bucks that trend!

It might surprise many pickleball players that New York boasts 702 pickleball locations, the fourth highest in the US – making it a significant player in the world.

Obviously, the state’s pickleball hot-spot centres around New York City.

The Big Apple has seen a huge surge in player numbers who have embraced the sport with the usual New York City energy and enthusiasm! 

Big Apple State Advantages:

• High concentration of players in urban areas

• Diverse playing environments, from parks to indoor facilities

• Active community events and leagues

• Accessibility of the sport to all demographics
• High concentration of enthusiastic players and innovative clubs in NYC

Fifth and final on our list of 5 best States for Pickleball is a slight surprise entry with the Buckeye State of Ohio!

In recent years, Ohio has witnessed a significant uptick in pickleball participation.

The latest figures showed there were 638 Pickleball locations across the State.

Cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland have invested in dedicated facilities and community programs to accommodate the growing interest.

Due to the climate, Ohio has a great range of indoor and outdoor facilities.

Locations like Pickle & Chill in Columbus offer both indoor and outdoor courts, catering to players year-round.

There has also been significant investment in the Ohio Pickleball science.

Cleveland Pickleball Center has recently had a $1 million renovation project, featuring 10 courts, a pro shop, and event spaces.

The city of Cincinnati has also become something of a Pickleball hotspot with some of the best facilities in the State like the 17 court premier Pickleball hangout at The Pickle Lodge.

Why Ohioans Love Pickleball

Check Out These Fantastic Places to Play Pickleball

• North Carolina: There are 586 pickleball locations in NC. The state’s mild climate and growing communities make it an ideal for pickleball enthusiasts.

• Illinois: Boasting 626 locations, Illinois offers a wide mix of indoor and outdoor pickleball courts across the State. Chicago and other major cities lead the way in the number of available courts. The Midwestern State’s residents have really jumped on board the Pickleball wave.

• Michigan: With 525 locations, Michigan’s pickleball community is growing rapidly, focusing on recreational and competitive play.

• Arizona: One of the fastest-growing Pickleball hubs is Arizona. The high number of pickleball courts and events, plus the favorable climate, make it a haven for players year-round.

Here is the full list of the best states to lay Pickleball in the USA:

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