Pickleball has exploded in the United States with a growth rate of 223.5% over the past three years. In fact, there are now 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States. Tennessee is no different. Tennessee features 245 pickleball locations and has the 27th most pickleball courts in the United States, according to the Pickleheads website.
Who is playing pickleball?
The 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report states that 6 out of every 10 pickleball players is male. The largest age bracket of pickleball players are between the ages 18-34 years old, which represents 28.8% of all players. This means that the average age of pickleball players is getting younger every year.
But where is pickleball most popular in Tennessee? And what does it mean for local communities? To identify the increasing popularity of pickleball in the state, TeachMe.To analyzed data from its network of over 600 professional coaches who provided tens of thousands of pickleball lessons across the nation. Here are the top communities for pickleball in Tennessee as ranked by data from TeachMe.To
Nashville
Nashville stands out as the leading city for pickleball in Tennessee. With 37.50% of TeachMe.To's pickleball coaches based in Nashville, the city has established itself as a major hub for the sport. Additionally, 47.06% of all coaching lessons booked in Tennessee are booked in Nashville, which highlights the city's dominant position in the pickleball scene.
The weather in Nashville is one major reason why the sport has exploded
in Tennessee. Summers are hot and humid, with average high temperatures
around 89°F. Winters are generally mild. Nashville receives an average
of 47 inches of rain annually, which makes it suitable for year-round
sports such as pickleball.
Nashville currently has 30 pickleball courts for players, but that number will be increasing very soon as more pickleball locations open all the time. Most recently, in February of this year the first Pickleball Kingdom shared that its first Tennessee location will be opening in Nashville.
Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet ranks second in Tennessee for pickleball coaching. Mount Juliet, like Nashville, has hot summers and the winters are mild. Mount Juliet has 31.25% of the state's pickleball coaches and the city also accounts for 23.53% of the bookings for coaching lessons. One key factor in the number of bookings is one of our most popular TeachMe.To coaches,
year, more and more people have decided to pick up the sport.Seth Zamek.
Zamek is a certified pickleball instructor and is even using the sport of pickleball to help his community. "Pickleball is good exercise, gets you outside," Zamek says. "It's good for the body, good for the brain."On June 20th from 7 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, Seth is hosting a pickleball tournament to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association at Del Webb at Lake Providence in Mt. Juliet.
The rise of pickleball in Mount Juliet can be seen in the increasing number of courts and facilities dedicated to the sport. In fact, the new Pickleball Kingdom location planned for Mt. Juliet will have between 12 to 16 courts.
Hermitage
Hermitage, has 12.50% of Tennessee's pickleball coaches and accounts for 9.80% of coaching lessons. This city is steadily building its presence in the
pickleball community.
Hermitage, located close to Nashville, experiences similar weather patterns,
making the sport accessible all year long for players. The growth of
pickleball in Hermitage can be linked to the city's efforts to provide
accessible and high-quality facilities for the sport. Community
engagement and support for pickleball events contribute to the sport's increasing popularity.
Franklin
Franklin has 12.50% of the state's pickleball coaches is another solid contender in the Tennessee pickleball landscape. The city matches Chattanooga and Hermitage in the percentage of coaching lessons booked, each contributing 9.80% to the state total. Franklin shares a similar climate with Nashville and Mount Juliet. Summers are warm and humid, and winters are mild, with January lows averaging 29°F.
Franklin's commitment to sports and recreation is well-known. The city has well-maintained courts and active community programs encourage residents to participate in the sport. In fact, a new 33,000 sq foot pickleball facility is planned to open in the next year near Franklin.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga has also emerged as a notable city for pickleball. 6.25% of the
pickleball coaches in Tennessee are based in Chattanooga. Although this
percentage is smaller compared to Nashville and Mount Juliet, it
represents a significant presence in the state's pickleball community.
Chattanooga also accounts for 9.80% of all coaching lessons that have
been booked in Tennessee.
Chattanooga's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities make it an
appealing destination for pickleball players. The weather supports
playing pickleball outdoors all year round with average high
temperatures in July reach about 90°F, and January lows average around
31°F.
Several months ago, Five Wits Brewing Company in Chattanooga opened an indoor pickleball court right inside their restaurant. “The best part about
pickleball is that it’s social and can be enjoyed at any skill level,"
said Mike Monen, co-owner of Five Wits Brewing Company. "Anyone can play
and have a great time. We have a huge love for both racquet sports and
live music so it was a no-brainer that we would combine the two.”
Ranking | City | Percentage of Coaches | Percentage of Coaching Lessons Booked |
1 | Nashville | 37.50% | 47.06% |
2 | Mount Juliet | 31.25% | 23.53% |
3 | Hermitage | 12.50% | 9.80% |
4 | Franklin | 12.50% | 9.80% |
5 | Chattanooga | 6.25% | 9.80% |
The future of pickleball in Tennessee
The data shows that pickleball is thriving in Tennessee. Just this month, Bluff City Pickleball in Bartlett, Tennessee announced the formation of the Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association (TJPA), an organizing body for junior pickleball and a statewide hub for building competitive pathways for aspiring youth pickleballers. Pickleball tournaments are also on the rise in Tennessee. Last year in the fall was the first ever, Tennessee Pickleball Association State Championship took place with matches for both men’s and women’s doubles as well as mixed doubles. This event was held in Johnson City, Tennessee, which shows how popular the sport is in eastern Tennessee. Later this summer, the Bristol Sportsplex will host the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour on August 15, 2024.
As the sport continues to gain traction, it is likely that more cities in Tennessee will invest in pickleball infrastructure and coaching. This, in turn, will attract even more players, fostering a statewide community of pickleball enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, Tennessee offers a dynamic and supportive environment to enjoy pickleball at any level.
