You’ve heard it before, maybe too many times, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country. We get it. But it’s true, and now, the quintessential community sport is gaining serious momentum with a younger crowd that’s about to flood college campuses once again.

According to Pickleball Magazine, it’s estimated that between 150 and 200 colleges now offer pickleball as a club or intramural sport, a clear sign that the game is making its mark on student life.

With the back-to-school season in full swing, and alongside the usual excitement of new classes, dorm move-ins, and fall traditions, there’s a new kind of energy buzzing across campus quads: pickleball.

Let’s take a look at the data, trends, and campus culture driving the sport’s rise among college students.

The GEN Z Pickleball Movement

Pickleball is no longer just a pastime for retirees, it is becoming a defining sport of the next generation. Across college campuses nationwide, the game is experiencing an undeniable surge in popularity, especially among Gen Z players.

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) 2025 Single Sport Report says that young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 now lead all age groups in pickleball participation. This trend is part of a broader youth movement within the sport, with nearly 2 million teens playing pickleball in 2024 alone.

Even more striking, participation among the 13 to 17 age group has more than doubled in just the past two years, signaling explosive growth among high schoolers and incoming college students.

With campus rec centers, student clubs, and intramural programs rapidly adopting the sport, pickleball is becoming a staple of student life. As more young players discover the fun, social, and competitive aspects of the game, it’s clear: pickleball isn’t just a trend, it is becoming part of college culture.

Major Investments in Pickleball on Campus

According to a recent article on Pickleball.com, from coast to coast, schools are investing in new courts, resurfacing old ones, and rethinking recreation spaces to accommodate the surge in student interest.

Texas A&M leads the charge with 10 permanent and 18 temporary courts, showcasing just how popular the sport has become. At the University of Maryland, students have access to 16 dedicated pickleball courts at the campus rec center. The Ohio State University currently offers eight pickleball courts alongside 16 tennis courts, many of which could be converted as demand continues to grow.

Out west, Pepperdine University has added eight new courts and even offers free rental equipment, making the game more accessible for newcomers. Baylor University is preparing to unveil 11 newly resurfaced courts designed exclusively for student use. Meanwhile, the University of Georgia is home to an impressive 18 on-campus pickleball courts.

Joining the trend in a big way, the University of Alabama is investing $1.6 million in a major expansion project that will add 10 pickleball-specific courts to its existing tennis complex, a clear signal that pickleball is becoming a staple of campus recreation strategy.

The Social, Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Pickleball

A recent blog post on PickleForPay.com sheds light on several key factors driving pickleball’s rapid rise on college campuses. Among them: the sport’s accessibility and affordability, its inclusive and social atmosphere, and its role as a new, low-pressure competitive outlet for students of all skill levels.

But perhaps just as important, especially in a campus setting, are the health and mental wellness benefits pickleball provides.

Unlike many traditional college sports that require intense training or tryouts, pickleball is easy to pick up and offers a full-body workout without the intimidation factor. It promotes cardiovascular health, improves coordination and reflexes, and keeps players moving in a way that feels more like fun than fitness.

On the mental health side, pickleball is proving to be a much-needed outlet for stress relief, particularly for students navigating the pressures of academic life, part-time jobs, and the often-overwhelming transition of living away from home for the first time. Its social format, with doubles play and quick, friendly games, creates space for real connection, laughter, and community-building.

“I started playing pickleball during my freshman year, and it quickly became the best part of my week. It’s a nice break from the pressure of exams and internships. You get a real workout without even realizing it, and the doubles format makes it so easy to meet people. Some of my closest friends on campus I’ve met on the pickleball court.”

- Eli Eliason, Junior Economics Major, and Vice President of the Georgia Tech Pickleball Club.

In a time when universities are increasingly focused on student well-being, pickleball stands out not just as a trend, but as a well-rounded tool for physical and emotional balance.

JOOLA's Role in Collegiate Pickleball Growth

As part of JOOLA's mission to support the growth of pickleball, both recreationally and at the club level, the company has established partnerships with universities across the country. JOOLA's remains comminted to promoting the community, mental health, and physical wellness benefits pickleball can offer to students adjusting to life away from home.

In 2024, JOOLA became the Official Sponsor of DUPR Collegiate Pickleball, the largest college tournament series in the country, bringing structure, visibility, and elite competition to players nationwide.

Through partnerships with schools like Wisconsin, Harvard, Georgia Tech, USC, Hawaii, and Miami-OH, JOOLA is empowering students to grow the game on campus. From club tournaments to open play events, JOOLA is helping make pickleball more competitive, more inclusive, and more accessible for the next generation.

As students return to campus this fall, pickleball is proving to be more than just a recreational trend, it is a powerful way to start the school year on the right foot. Whether it’s joining a club, making new friends, staying active, or finding a fun outlet for stress, pickleball offers incoming and returning students a sense of community from day one. With growing campus support and strong partnerships from organizations like JOOLA, the sport is becoming an essential part of student life, and a welcome addition to the back-to-school experience.

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