pickleballmagazine. com MARCH / APRIL 2026
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PUBLISHER’ S PLAYBOOK
If you picked up the latest issue of Pickleball Magazine, you already know this isn’ t the same sport it was even two years ago— and that may be the most exciting part of all. What we’ re witnessing right now isn’ t just growth. It’ s maturation. For years, the headline was simple:“ America’ s fastest-growing sport.” That was true— and it still is in many respects— but the story in 2026 is deeper.
Courts are no longer just popping up; they’ re being planned. Clubs aren’ t just converting space; they’ re building full-service facilities with instruction programs, youth pipelines, adaptive play, and tournament infrastructure designed to last. Municipalities that once hesitated are now budgeting annually for dedicated pickleball expansions because they’ ve seen the return on investment in community health and engagement.
Professional play continues to evolve as well. With the ongoing momentum of both Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour, the competitive landscape is settling into something more sustainable and more watchable. Team formats are creating loyal fan bases. Individual tours are refining formats for television and streaming. Prize money is stabilizing. Player contracts are becoming more structured.
That’ s not just good for the pros— it’ s good for every amateur player who wants to see a clear pathway from local tournament to national stage.
But here’ s what matters most: the recreational core of pickleball has never been stronger.
Another shift is the evolution of player demographics. The age range continues to widen in both directions. Youth academies are forming in greater numbers, high school clubs are emerging in more states, and college intramural leagues are expanding. Check out“ Pickleball is the New Cool in PE,” by Matthew Schwartz, on page 38.
At the same time, the 50 + community remains deeply engaged, not just socially but competitively. The intergenerational mix on the courts may be one of pickleball’ s greatest cultural contributions. Few sports allow grandparents and teenagers to compete meaningfully on the same playing surface.
Pickleball’ s story is no longer about whether it will last. It’ s about how far it can go while preserving what made it special in the first place.
A Publication of Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. 33 Mayview Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317 pickleballmagazine. com
PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Julie Talerico j. talerico @ pickleballmagazine. com
ART DIRECTOR Michael Miller
SOCIAL MEDIA Vossberg Gainor
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Jack Bandel Laura Gainor Brandi Givens Brent Hearn Glenn Jordan Kyle McMakin Kate Mohns
Debbie Mountain
CONTRIBUTORS
Scott Roth Daniel Sagerman Matthew Schwartz Alice Tym Drew Wathey Trish Zornio
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Association of Pickleball Players( APP) Witten Paxton Alice Tym
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Launched in 2016, Pickleball Magazine is the official publication of the sport. Published eight times a year, the magazine delivers in-depth tournament coverage, expert instruction, updates to the official rules, and exclusive interviews with top professionals. Readers also get guidance on injury prevention and recovery, nutrition to fuel peak performance, news on club openings, luxury pickleball destinations, the latest equipment, and much more.
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Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. publishes eight issues of Pickleball Magazine per year. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED. © 2026
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