pickleballmagazine. com MARCH / APRIL 2026
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PUBLISHER’ S PLAYBOOK
Pickleball is no longer just“ the fastest-growing sport in America.” Growth is still real, but the more interesting story is what comes after it. Pickleball has already proven it can grow. Now it is proving it can mature.
Early expansion was driven by accessibility and spontaneity— grab a paddle, show up, play. Today, the sport is increasingly organized around programming: leagues, clinics, youth development, adaptive play and membership-based club models. In many markets, the“ open play” era is giving way to coordinated court scheduling.
Participation continues to climb into the tens of millions, and the player base is widening as well. The fastest-growing segments are no longer only retirees or recreational newcomers, but younger players, college programs and multisport athletes entering the game. Retention, facility economics, coaching pipelines, and rising competitive depth are shaping the sport’ s next phase.
This is the moment where pickleball is becoming less of a movement and more of an institution. And that story is still being written on courts designed not just for today’ s players, but for the next generation already stepping into the game.
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 Wendy Gilpin Brandi Givens Glenn Jordan Brian McMahon
Debbie Mountain
CONTRIBUTORS
Kyle McMakin Kate Mohns Matthew Schwartz Alice Tym Drew Wathey
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bruce Yeung
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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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