Results from a recent survey conducted by a Canadian research firm estimates that 1.54 million people are currently playing the sport of pickleball across the country.
The survey, conducted in January 2025 and reaching over 2,000 Canadian households, asked each household questions regarding:
- How often they play pickleball
- Why do they play pickleball
- What barriers do they face in playing pickleball
When the survey was first conducted in 2022, it revealed that 1 million people were playing pickleball. The recent results indicate a 57% increase in participation over the past three years, with a modest year-over-year growth of 15% since 2024.
The largest increase in participation over the past year has been in the 35-54 age group, with households with higher income levels reflecting higher participation rates.
Participation levels in pickleball across Canadian provinces generally align with population figures. As a result, Ontario has the highest number of players, with an estimated 598,900 participants. Quebec follows as the second-largest, with approximately 315,000 players.
Enjoyment / fun was the top reason participants indicated for playing pickleball, with 88% of respondents citing it as their main motivation. Health and fitness followed as the primary factor for 54% of respondents. Playing for the social aspect came in third as the most common reason for taking part in the sport.
The number of Canadians with a Pickleball Canada membership also grew by 25% from the end of 2023 (68,102 members) to the end of 2024 (85,223 members). This increase can be attributed to the vibrant pickleball community, and the many benefits Pickleball Canada members enjoy, including access to sanctioned tournaments nationwide, a cutting-edge officiating program, coaching opportunities, and exciting local and provincial/territorial club initiatives.
The survey highlighted some of the barriers Canadians may face when trying to participate in pickleball. The two main obstacles indicated in the results were a lack of information about the sport (21%) and a shortage of facilities (15%). To address these challenges, the organization is enhancing its communication strategies over the spring and summer of 2025 with the implementation of an Ambassador program, and has introduced a Facility Task Team, which launched in the fall of 2024 and is building informational resources to assist Pickleball Canada members in advocating for the construction of pickleball facilities within their communities.
Overall, the trends seen in this most recent survey tells us pickleball is still on the incline in Canadian society.
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