Trend Insight SS July-August 2023 Copy

July/August 2023

Surveying the Shopping Habits of Pickleball Consumers

Pickleball has hit the mainstream. Participation in the sport continues to grow. And the social aspect of the sport, as well as its “fun” and “easy to play” nature, are big reasons why, according to our latest consumer survey. Of the 678 active consumers, aged 18-70, that we polled, 46% of respondents said they have played pickleball, and 32% said they are planning to play — that’s 78% indicating interest in playing. Those between the ages of 30-50 were most likely to say they play pickleball, according to our survey. Notably, 98% say they mostly play socially and 75% play on public courts. When it comes to buying products, sporting goods stores are the top shopping destination, followed by sports specialty stores and ecommerce sites. Consumers are very open to learning about new pickleball brands — only 33% have a particular brand in mind when they shop for pickleball items, and 85% of respondents told us they would welcome a store’s sales associate recommending a pickleball brand of footwear to them.

This survey conducted by MESH01 included 668 respondents, men and women active and outdoors. Trend Insight is a feature within sportstyle that delivers research conducted on the MESH01 Platform. MESH01 collects data from a select panel of active and outdoor enthusiasts.

What do you like most about the sport of Pickleball?

Age: 20-29 years

I love how accessible Pickleball has become as well as the short learning curve. These in combination have made it super fun for my friends and I to pick it up and play casually or join leagues and play competitively. Female 28

‍It’s easy to play as a family casually and also can be played socially/ competitively with other adults. The cost to begin playing is fairly small compared to other sports. It is great exercise! Female 25

‍It’s great! I love how competitive it can be but it’s also easy to pick up. Regardless of the skill levels of people I play with, it’s always a fun time. Male 28

‍I love that it can be played at really any level of desired intensity. If friends and I are tired and just want something casual to do, pickleball is great. If we're feeling competitive and want to really get into it, pickleball is still great. Male 26

‍I really like to community aspect of it. There is a large following of pickleball that has grown tremendously over the last few months. More people are involved than ever before. Male 29

‍It’s a fun and social activity that bridges exercise and a competitive sport without the seriousness of a golf course or tennis court. Male 28

Age: 30-39 years

It’s a social sport and the match isn’t long. Female 37

‍It’s fun, energetic and allows for me to be socially active with friends and teammates. Female 38

‍It’s fun and can be played by a great range if athletic ability. It has a competitive aspect to it but doesn’t exert me as much as playing tennis. Female 36

‍How accessible it is and how quickly people can pick it up. Much easier and more fun than tennis. Female 34

‍Can go play anytime, and almost anywhere. Fun sport that is different than tennis and seems easier to pick up. Male 34

‍How much exercise you get while having fun and being social. Female 33

‍Inclusive, interactive, and can play anywhere. Female 35

‍It is new, fun, and you improve rather fast, addicting. Male 32

‍Easy, fun, anyone can play, a great workout. Female 39

‍Active, and something different than my usual endurance activities. Easy to play socially Male 31

‍I love the fast ping pong like gameplay in an outdoor setting like Tennis and without the stress of a difficult service. Male 36

‍The inclusiveness of the Pickleball community. Female 32

‍It’s one of the few sports that is
1. Very accessible.
2. Very Social.
3. Open to people of all ages and demographics.
4. It can be a very fun, easy game or a very competitive one, depending on experience and proficiency.
‍Male 34

Age: 40-49 years

It’s fun and a good work out. Female 44

‍It is relatively easy to learn. Male 47

‍Keeps me active. Male 43

‍It can be as competitive as you’d like to make it, and you can be social while playing. Male 44

‍It’s a fun way to get a decent workout in while spending time with friends. It’s easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of extra equipment. Male 40

‍The social aspect and that it’s outdoors. Female 45

‍It’s very active , and keeps your going. It’s fun and I can get an intense work out at the same time. Best sport ever. Female 44

‍It’s refreshingly different from tennis and more fun. Not that competitive. Male 49

‍Ease to get into the game and social connections with other players. Male 42

‍I love that I can play it with my entire family. Even my teenage kids and grandson plays. Female 44

‍The feel of tennis but I don’t have to be as athletic and can really focus more on skill and strategy. Male 41

‍The social aspects are great, plus being outside and being physical. Male 40

‍It’s fun and competitive and easy to learn and easy to teach someone else how to play. Female 46

‍I’m a tennis player and I like that I’m able to play pickleball more often because of the popularity of the sport and more people to play against. I like the shorter learning curve for new people. Male 43

‍The social aspect! Getting exercise while having fun and connecting with people. Male 40

‍I can play with my elderly parents. Male 44

‍I love that it’s still swinging a racquet/paddle, but unlike tennis I don’t need to run as much. Male 49

Age: 50-59 years

It’s easy to learn, social, keeps me active. Female 53

‍It is fun! it gets me out and exercising, I’m meeting new people and am enjoying learning a new sport. I’m sharing it with friends. Female 58

‍It is amazingly fun, allows all abilities of players, allows me to compete again, make new friends, I can’t really say enough about how much I absolutely love this sport. I am addicted. Female 58

‍Different and great sport for friends and to make new ones. Male 54

‍Fun. Can play with a little less running than tennis so a wider range of ages can be moderately competitive. Male 52

‍Great unifier of demographics and life position. Highly competitive while being fun, even almost addictive. Male 59

‍Anyone can play it. Young and old. Great exercise. Male 56

Age: 60-69 years

It’s a fun way to exercise and spend time with friends. Hopefully I become good enough to play more seriously! Female 60

‍It is fun, it keeps me active and It is easier to play than tennis. Female 62

‍It’s challenging but not overly taxing on your joints...like tennis. Male 61
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‍I am an athlete but this is a sport that I can play with my friends mostly regardless of their activity level. Female 62

‍It’s fun, competitive and there is a quick learning curve. All ages can play and you can get a good sweat going. Female 61

‍I love the fact that it’s an enjoyable way to stay active and have fun at the same time. Female 69

Age 70+

It’s a fun way to exercise and spend time with friends. Hopefully I become good enough to play more seriously! Female 60

‍It is fun, it keeps me active and It is easier to play than tennis. Female 62

‍It’s challenging but not overly taxing on your joints...like tennis. Male 61

‍I am an athlete but this is a sport that I can play with my friends mostly regardless of their activity level. Female 62

‍It’s fun, competitive and there is a quick learning curve. All ages can play and you can get a good sweat going. Female 61

‍I love the fact that it’s an enjoyable way to stay active and have fun at the same time. Female 69