With its blend of historical charm and modern amenities, Maryland is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for pickleball players seeking new experiences and communities. From bustling urban areas to serene coastal towns, there’s no shortage of backdrops for pickleball enthusiasts to engage with the sport.
As one of the leading platforms for pickleball lessons, TeachMe.To helped tens of thousands of students pick up the sport across the country last year. We curated data from each pickleball lesson in Maryland, delved into city and court records, and found the top 13 cities for pickleball across the state. Here are our top insights.
Bethesda: The Forefront of Maryland's Pickleball Surge
Leading the pack, Bethesda boasts 30.2% of the state's pickleball lesson bookings, marking it as a vibrant center for the sport. This high percentage reflects Bethesda's active lifestyle, community engagement, and a strong inclination towards adopting new and exciting recreational activities like pickleball.
Dill Dinkers officially opened a 28,500 indoor pickleball facility in Montgomery County at 4542 Boiling Brook Parkway in the Randolph Hills area of North Bethesda. There are many options to play at the facility, including reserving courts and participating in clinics, leagues, and lessons.
Rockville and Baltimore: Urban Centers with a Passion for Pickleball
Rockville follows with 16.3%, and Baltimore is close behind at 14.0%, illustrating the sport's popularity in urban environments. These cities combine the hustle and bustle of city life with a growing community of pickleball players, offering diverse opportunities for play across all skill levels.
The Pickleball House in Baltimore features eight permanent regulation-size indoor courts measuring 30 feet by 60 feet and is open Sundays for complimentary play.
Annapolis and Towson: Combining Tradition with Modern Sport
Annapolis, with 9.3%, and Towson, at 7.0%, highlight how areas with rich histories are also embracing the modern phenomenon of pickleball.
These cities demonstrate a seamless blend of tradition and contemporary lifestyle, fostering communities where history and pickleball go hand in hand. No better example than in Towson, where Calvert Hall College High School has formed one of the first school pickleball teams in the country.
Columbia and Cockeysville: Suburban Communities Rallying Around Pickleball
Columbia and Cockeysville, each with 7.0% and 4.7% respectively, showcase the sport's spread to suburban areas. These communities are making significant strides in incorporating pickleball into their recreational repertoire, indicating a broader acceptance and enthusiasm for the game.
Dill Dinkers, an indoor pickleball court in Howard County, recently opened a 15,000-square-foot light-industrial complex at 9179 Red Branch Road.
Emerging Hotspots and Hidden Gems
The list continues with Potomac, Olney, Ocean Pines, Ocean City, and Millersville, each carving out their niche in Maryland's pickleball landscape with 2.3%. These areas, while smaller in their share of lesson bookings, are emerging hotspots and hidden gems, reflecting the sport's expanding reach across the state.
Ocean City is converting two damaged tennis courts into six brand-new pickleball courts at the 61st Street Ocean City Tennis Center. And The PutAway, a premium indoor pickleball facility in Millersville with seven courts and 24,000 square-feet of space, is one of the most recent additions to the sport.
The Top Pickleball Cities in Maryland: Summary
Rank | City | Percentage |
1 | Bethesda | 30.2% |
2 | Rockville | 16.3% |
3 | Baltimore | 14.0% |
4 | Annapolis | 9.3% |
5 | Towson | 7.0% |
6 | Columbia | 7.0% |
7 | Cockeysville | 4.7% |
9 | Potomac | 2.3% |
10 | Olney | 2.3% |
11 | Ocean Pines | 2.3% |
12 | Ocean City | 2.3% |
13 | Millersville | 2.3% |
Learn Pickleball in Maryland Today
Maryland's embrace of pickleball speaks to the sport's universal appeal and the state's diverse communities' readiness to welcome new activities. From the historic streets of Annapolis to the scenic shores of Ocean City, Maryland offers a rich tapestry of locations for pickleball enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.