The Rise of Pickleball in Sacramento: An In-Depth Look

Pickleball has surged in popularity across the United States with a growth rate of 223.5% over the past three years. Currently, there are 36.5 million pickleball players nationwide. California is one of the most popular states to play pickleball, thanks in large part to the state's exceptional weather and active culture. Let’s look a closer at the popularity of pickleball in Sacramento using data from TeachMe.To’s network of over 600 professional coaches who have provided tens of thousands of pickleball lessons across the nation.

A closer look at Sacramento's pickleball scene

Make no mistake, pickleball is a popular sport in Sacramento. However, Sacramento has a population of 524,493 people, and there are currently only 30 pickleball locations with 95 courts in the area. Looking at the numbers, there is a definite need for more pickleball courts to meet the population in Sacramento. Over the past seven years, the number of outdoor public park pickleball courts in major cities has skyrocketed 650%, according to a new report by the Trust for Public Land. This is a major reason why Sacramento is ranked 10th in the Golden State. As more pickleball facilities are added, supply will meet demand and Sacramento's ranking in the state will likely improve.

In fact, some new pickleball courts are coming to south Sacramento parks as the California Department of Parks and Recreation was recently awarded a local park district more than $8.5 million as part of grant funding. In the nearby Sacramento suburb of Roseville, a new pickleball facility in Gibson Park opened with new pickleball courts for players in the area. The Courts at Gibson Park is a 13.75 acre multi-generational sports court complex that features 9-lighted pickleball courts, shaded spectator seating, a patio area and walking paths.

Rise in pickleball tournaments in Sacramento

As pickleball continues to grow in the state, more tournaments are being held on a regular basis. In March, the Association of Pickleball Players headed to the Johnson Ranch Pickleball Complex in Roseville just a few miles north of Sacramento for the 2024 APP Sacramento Open. For the third consecutive year, Johnson Ranch hosted the APP for this event. This year nearly 1,500 players competed in a USAP Golden Ticket event.

This summer, the world's top pickleball professional players took the court in the Veolia Sacramento Open in June. Amateurs were able to play in pickleball matches alongside Humana Championship Court, where top professionals will competed for the biggest payouts in the sport.

Increase in pickleball coaches in the area​

Doug Koch is one of the top pickleball coaches in Sacramento. Doug is an IPTPA certified teaching pro and 6-time USA Pickleball National Medalist. “I’ve won numerous tournaments nationwide at the Senior Pro level. Now, I am focused on helping the next generation of players, regardless of their skill level!” Koch says. There are currently six TeachMe.To coaches in the Sacramento area, but that number will likely increase as more pickleball courts are opening each month. A study conducted by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) found that the U.S. will need 25,000 additional pickleball courts, a 900-million-dollar investment, to keep up with the current demand.

The future of pickleball in Sacramento

The future of pickleball in the area is very bright as the sport continues to reach new players. "Sacramento has a robust and loyal pickleball community, where the sport brings active Californians together,” said Nick O’Brien, founder and CEO of TeachMe.to. O'Brien noted that bookings for lessons are increasing across the entire region. "A combination of access to courts and facilities, an eagerness to exercise and compete is coupled with an appetite to get better, as well,” O’Brien said. As more pickleball facilities open in the Sacramento area, more players will play the sport and invite others join in on the fun.