Pickleball continued its ascent in 2023 with participation gains across age groups and geographies, cementing a cross-generational appeal in its third year as America’s fastest-growing sport and shedding its association with the senior citizen cohort, according to SFIA and Pickleheads’ second State of Pickleball: Participation and Infrastructure Report. Total U.S. participants tallied 13,582,000 in ‘23, up 52% over 2022’s 8,949,000 and lapping an 86% leap coming out of the pandemic. Last year’s total puts the sport roughly on the level of outdoor soccer, with 14.1 million participants. Core players increased 111% ... Log in to view full article.