Pickleball continues its meteoric rise across the United States, with new data from DUPR highlighting the specific cities where the sport is experiencing the most rapid expansion. While traditional hubs like Florida often dominate the conversation, this latest ranking reveals a diverse spread of growth across the country.
The Top 10 Fastest-Growing Pickleball Cities
According to DUPR user data collected over the last 12 months, the following cities have seen the highest surge in new pickleball participants:
- 10. Cumming, Georgia: This city rounds out the top ten, signaling strong regional interest in the Peach State.
- 9. Las Vegas, Nevada: Despite its reputation for entertainment, Vegas is becoming a serious destination for local pickleball growth.
- 8. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: A consistent hotspot for the sport, Ft. Lauderdale continues to attract a high volume of new players.
- 7. Lexington, Kentucky: Representing the Bluegrass State, Lexington has emerged as a significant growth center for the game.
- 6. Ashburn, Virginia: This Northern Virginia community has seen a notable uptick in residents picking up a paddle.
- 5. Fremont, California: As one of the few West Coast representatives on the list, Fremont shows the sport's strong momentum in the Bay Area.
- 4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The City of Brotherly Love has seen a rapid increase in DUPR-rated players, reflecting the sport's expansion in the Northeast.
- 3. Seattle, Washington: A major urban center, Seattle has solidified its spot in the top three as the sport gains massive traction in the Pacific Northwest.
- 2. Huntsville, Alabama: Huntsville has experienced explosive growth, proving that pickleball is thriving in emerging Southern markets.
- 1. Cleveland, Ohio: Taking the top spot, Cleveland leads the nation in DUPR-tracked growth, highlighting the sport's massive popularity in the Midwest.
This localized data aligns with broader national trends reported by the Sports Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). In 2025, the total number of Americans playing pickleball reached 24.3 million, a 22.8% year-over-year increase. Most impressively, participation has surged by 171.8% over the last three years.
The data also highlights a healthy mix of player types. Casual players—those playing one to seven times per year—now number 16.8 million, while core players, who participate in eight or more sessions annually, have grown to 7.48 million. This balance suggests that the sport is successfully converting curious newcomers into dedicated, long-term participants who drive the demand for leagues, tournaments, and equipment.
