Pickleball's Popularity on the Rise in Florida

Pickleball has taken Florida by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the Sunshine State. The unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong has captivated a diverse range of players, from casual enthusiasts to competitive athletes. Florida is slated to be the second best state for pickleball players based on the number of courts available. 

Let’s look at the data from TeachMe.To to learn more about the current pickleball landscape in Florida, exploring key cities and the factors driving their success based on recent data.

Fort Lauderdale

Leading the pack, Fort Lauderdale boasts the highest percentage of coaches  at 28.57% and coaching  lessons booked at 22.55%. With these numbers, Fort Lauderdale has established itself as a central hub for pickleball enthusiasts. The city of Fort Lauderdale is partnering with The Fort to build a brand new venue where pickleball players can choose from 43 professional courts and even experience the world’s first pickleball stadium. There are currently 59 pickleball courts in the area, so this new addition will bring the total to over 100 courts.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is not far behind Fort Lauderdale, with a significant presence of coaches at 14.29% and a high rate of coaching lessons booked 17.09%. Recently, the Miami Pickleball Open took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center. There are many pickleball tournaments that take place in Miami Beach on a regular basis such as the South Beach Slam and more. In addition to being the home to a variety of tournaments, Miami Beach has great coaches such as Bob McDowell who is PPR-certified and teaches coaching lessons around Miami.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg has a strong coaching network with 20.41% of TeachMe.To's pickleball coaches and 17.09% of the pickleball coaching lessons booked in the state. Recently, St Petersburg was the host for the inaugural Suncoast Pickleball Expo. The city also has 13 locations with 51 pickleball courts, an obvious factor in St. Petersburg's high ranking.

Port Saint Lucie

Despite having 2.04% of the coaches in the state, Port Saint Lucie sees a notable 8.73% of coaching lessons booked. Having almost 9% of all of the pickleball coaching lessons is proof of the great coaching you'll find in Port Saint Lucie.

Expect these numbers to rise in the near future as a new 33,000-square-foot pickleball club will soon open called The Pickleball Club at St. Lucie West. This facility will will include 12 indoor courts, two covered outdoor courts, bocce ball, table tennis, corn hole, a café, a pro shop, and more.

Oakland Park

Oakland Park, like Port Saint Lucie, has a smaller coaching presence at 2.04% but represents 7.27% of all of the pickleball coaching lessons booked in Florida. The city’s efforts to promote pickleball through local leagues and events have successfully engaged residents and increased participation rates.

Naples

Known for its active retiree population, Naples represents a solid 8.16% of pickleball coaches and 6.55% of the pickleball coaching lessons booked in the state. The city’s numerous retirement communities and recreational facilities have embraced pickleball, making it a popular pastime for older adults seeking a fun and social activity. There are 22 pickleball courts in Naples, with the majority of the locations at resorts, hotels, and campgrounds.

Deerfield Beach

Deerfield Beach offers 6.12% of the pickleball coaches in the state. In addition, 5.82% of pickleball coaching lessons booked were in Deerfield Beach. Here is a listing of some of the top pickleball locations in Deerfield Beach. There is a total of 25 pickleball courts for players in this small, 16.22 mile town, showing why Deerfield Beach deserves such a high ranking in the state.

What's next for pickleball in Florida

Florida has become a beacon for pickleball enthusiasts, thanks to its favorable weather, community support, and great infrastructure. Cities like Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and St. Petersburg lead the way, offering exemplary models of how to foster a thriving pickleball environment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, Florida’s pickleball scene promises to continue to grow in the future.

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