Pickleball is Washington State’s Official Sport but Is It More Popular Elsewhere?

April is National Pickleball Month.

The sport was invented in Washington but an informal study appears to show participation is surging in other states and exceeds interest here in Washington..

Pickleball is a combination of badminton, tennis and table tennis, and continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in America.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation designating Pickleball as Washington's official sport in 2022.

The game was invented in the summer of 1965 by then WA. Congressman Joel Pritchard at his Bainbridge Island, WA. summer cabin.  Using ping pong paddles, a whiffle ball, a badminton net and court, Pritchard and two friends created a game anyone could play.

According to Pickleball USA, a corporation was formed to protect the newly created sport in 1972 and the first known tournament was held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, WA. in 1976.  By 1990, the sport of pickleball was being played in all 50 states.

An article published on Rotowire tracked Google trends to determine which states have the most fans and which ones are starting to develop a passion for pickleball.

You could argue the other 49 states hitched onto the Pickleball bandwagon behind Washington but here are the published findings based on Google searches;

An interesting video shares the story of how the sport of pickleball was invented one summer weekend in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA

Read More: Chelan PUD Adds More Pickleball Courts