If you live in the United States, you most likely know that pickleball has been dubbed America's fastest-growing sport. But how popular is pickleball outside the country?
Well, as of writing this, Pickleball is now being played in over 90 countries worldwide. Thanks to the efforts of international pickleball organizations and countries that welcome the sport with open arms,
With that, check the list below and see if your country is one of them.
When Did Pickleball Start in the US?
Pickleball started in the US in the summer of 1965 and was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. At that time, Pritchard and Bell went to the former's home in Bainbridge Island, Washington, after playing golf. After noticing their families were bored, the golf buddies went to an old badminton inside the property. But because there were no available rackets, they improvised and used a perforated plastic ball.
The following weekend, McCallum joined them and enjoyed the new game. Soon after, he, Pritchard, and Bell created the basic rules and eventually called the sport "pickleball." Pritchard, who was then a congressman, promoted the sport in his political and fundraising events. The first known pickleball tournament in the world was held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington.
And as they say, the rest is history.
What Countries are Members of the International Pickleball Federation?
As of this posting, the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) has 79 member countries, eight of which are full members. They are:
- Austria
- Denmark
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Mexico
- Russia
Below is the complete list of countries that are provisional members of the IPF:
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Palentine
- Panama
- Peru
- Poland
- Republic of Korea
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- United States
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
What Countries Are Members of the World Pickleball Federation?
As of December 2023, the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) has 49 countries from 6 continents as members. Below is the complete list in alphabetical order:
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Australia
- Belgium
- Brazil
- China
- Czech Republic
- Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- England
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong China
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Italy
- Korea
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Scotland
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Spain
- St Maarten
- Chinese Taipei
- Tonga
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Thailand are not (yet) members of the IPF and WPF. Nonetheless, we know that pickleball is played in several indoor courts in Riyadh. Japan and Thailand are members of the AFP (Asia Federation of Pickleball), along with Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
We will update the lists above as soon as new entries become available.
How Many Countries Do People Play Pickleball In?
As you can see from the two lists above, more than 30 countries are now members of the IPF and WPF.
If you include Saudi Arabia and Thailand, there are currently 91 countries where people play pickleball.
Pickleball is a sport for all ages and fitness levels. It's only a matter of time until the rest of the countries in the world end up on these lists.
Pickleball Is Going Global
Without a doubt, pickleball is spreading worldwide, and it seems like nothing can slow it down.
If you live in a country where people play pickleball, have you tried it? How was your experience? Do you still plan to continue?
And if pickleball has not yet made its way to your country, would you like to give it a shot? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.