The 2025 Worldwide Pickleball Search Leaderboard (Plus The Local Hotspots To Visit)
Which are the top countries that are searching for pickleball over the past 12 months? Google Trends is a tool that analyzes the popularity of search queries on Google.
It doesn’t provide the exact number of searches, but rather a normalized score from 0 to 100. A score of 100 represents the peak popularity for a term during a specific time period and in a particular region. A score of 50 means the term is half as popular as its peak, and a score of 0 indicates there wasn’t enough data for the term. This allows for a relative comparison of search interest over time and between different terms.
By analyzing Google Trends data for “pickleball” over the past 12 months, we can see a clear and significant rise in public interest. This isn’t just a small uptick; the trend line shows frequent peaks, often approaching the score of 100, which indicates periods of maximum search popularity relative to the rest of the year.
It’s important to note that Google Trends normalizes the data by location, allowing you to identify where a topic is most popular per capita, not just where the most total searches occur. This makes it a powerful tool for finding hotspots of interest, regardless of population size.
| Rank | Country | Interest Score | Key Insight | Hotspots to Play | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vietnam | 100 | Young pros dominate urban parks. | Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Sapa | Hosted Asia’s first Joola Legends Tour in 2025 with Andre Agassi. |
| 2 | Malaysia | 93 | Influencers spark a fitness boom. | Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sarawak | Saw a 300% surge in paddle sales at Decathlon in 2024. |
| 3 | Singapore | 64 | Tech and precision rule the courts. | Sentosa Island, Orchard Road | First Asian city to offer pickleball via smart app bookings in 2023. |
| 4 | Canada | 53 | Indoor hubs double membership. | Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary | Held the first world pickleball championships in 2016. |
| 5 | United States | 50 | Pro leagues drive mass appeal. | Naples (FL), Seattle, Phoenix | Named fastest-growing sport in the US for five straight years by 2025. |
| 6 | Puerto Rico | 40 | Beachside tournaments sizzle. | San Juan, Ponce, Rincón | Launched the Caribbean’s first DUPR Nationals in 2024. |
| 7 | Australia | 27 | Outdoor fun fuels growth. | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | Featured pickleball at the Australian Open for the first time in 2025. |
| 8 | Hong Kong | 23 | High-rise courts host pros. | Kowloon, Central, Causeway Bay | Hosted the 2025 PPA Tour Asia’s kickoff event in a skyscraper court. |
| 9 | New Zealand | 21 | Small-town spirit thrives. | Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch | Boasts the world’s first pickleball court in a vineyard, opened 2024. |
| 10 | Philippines | 17 | Malls turn into play zones. | Manila, Cebu City, Davao | Converted a shopping mall into Asia’s first pro pickleball complex in 2023. |
These 2024-2025 search spikes hint at play potential, shaped by local flair. Let’s explore what makes each scene pop, where to play, and those fun facts.
Vietnam: From Zero to Hero
Vietnam tops at 100, with a 152% awareness leap in 2024. Picture a Ho Chi Minh park at dusk—young players battle under streetlights, paddles flying since 2022’s debut, now 30,000 strong and doubling yearly.
What’s different? Cheap gear—$40 paddles—draws millennials, blending badminton speed into family matches. Hotspots like Ho Chi Minh City’s Cocopick courts, Hanoi’s Pullman Hotel, or Sapa’s foggy courts offer play. Fun fact: It hosted Asia’s first Joola Legends Tour in 2025, featuring Andre Agassi. Court shortages challenge growth, but $900K in gear sales this year proves its grip. Can this youth wave hold?
Malaysia: Influencer-Fueled Frenzy
At 93, Malaysia’s 132% awareness jump in 2024 is pure social media magic. Imagine a Kuala Lumpur influencer hosting a match—strangers become friends, clubs sprouting since 2023.
Unique edge: Squash-like intensity sets it apart from Oceania’s chill vibe. Hit Kuala Lumpur’s Pickleball Stadium, Penang’s community courts, or Sarawak’s Grand Slam venues. Fun fact: It saw a 300% surge in paddle sales at Decathlon in 2024. Mixed-gender events thrive, unlike the US’s age splits. Will this hype last beyond the influencers?
Singapore: Precision Play Pioneers
Scoring 64, Singapore’s 70% awareness by 2025 builds on 1990s roots. Envision tech-savvy players mastering dinks with table tennis flair at Sentosa Island’s courts or Orchard Road’s indoor hubs, a stark contrast to Australia’s rallies.
Free sessions draw all ages, unlike Vietnam’s youth focus. Fun fact: It was the first Asian city to offer pickleball via smart app bookings in 2023. Olympic dreams fuel 800 million Asian tries—could this redefine the sport?
Canada: Indoor Inclusivity Explosion
With 53, Canada’s 1.52 million players rose 57% in three years. Since the 1970s, Pickleball Canada’s 70,000 members by 2024 lead indoor play at Vancouver’s community centers, Toronto’s sports complexes, or Calgary’s winter courts.
Different: Weather drives indoors, unlike tropical Asia. Fun fact: It held the first world pickleball championships in 2016. Women’s play up 50% signals inclusivity. BC’s coastal style vs. Ontario’s urban edge—how will this evolve?
United States: Pro Powerhouse Roots
At 50, the US’s 19.8 million players soared 311% since 2021. From 1965’s backyard birth to PPA tours, play thrives at Naples’ pro courts, Seattle’s public parks, or Phoenix’s desert venues.
What’s unique? Pro leagues and smart paddles outshine emerging markets. Fun fact: It’s named the fastest-growing sport in the US for five straight years by 2025. All-ages play contrasts Asia’s youth tilt. Tennis turf wars fade with 55% more courts in 2024. What’s next for its legacy?
Puerto Rico: Beachside Battlegrounds
Scoring 40, Puerto Rico’s 2019 Association hosts DUPR Nationals. Picture San Juan’s beaches buzzing with play, Ponce’s coastal courts, or Rincón’s tournament spots, fueled by US ties.
Distinct: Beach courts differ from Canada’s indoors. Fun fact: It launched the Caribbean’s first DUPR Nationals in 2024. Spanish events build community—new 13-court hubs draw internationals. How far can this island flair spread?
Australia: Outdoor Adventure Awaits
At 27, Australia’s 92,000 players aged 15+ spiked since 2023. Its 2025 Australian Open debut shines at Sydney’s beach courts, Melbourne’s parks, or Brisbane’s clubs.
Different: Beach culture drives relaxed rallies, unlike Singapore’s precision. Fun fact: It featured pickleball at the Australian Open for the first time in 2025. Clubs outpace rugby, with 20,000 players by 2023. Will pros follow?
Hong Kong: High-Rise Pro Play
With 23, Hong Kong’s 2025 PPA Tour Asia marks history at Kowloon’s courts, Central’s urban hubs, or Causeway Bay’s pro venues. Awareness grew 60% yearly.
Unique: Skyscraper courts contrast Australia’s open spaces. Fun fact: It hosted the 2025 PPA Tour Asia’s kickoff in a skyscraper court. Bilingual play bridges cultures. Pro-am events accelerate growth—can it rival Singapore?
New Zealand: Small-Town Soul
Scoring 21, New Zealand’s play since 2015 doubled to thousands at Auckland’s community courts, Rotorua’s scenic spots, or Christchurch’s hubs.
Different: Fun trumps competition, unlike Malaysia’s intensity. Fun fact: It boasts the world’s first pickleball court in a vineyard, opened 2024. Sport NZ recognition boosts it. Will pros emerge?
Philippines: Mall Madness Unleashed
At 17, malls since 2016 rebound post-COVID at Manila’s indoor courts, Cebu City’s complexes, or Davao’s play zones. Helios complex marks Asia’s pro debut.
Unique: Indoor courts suit rain, unlike Vietnam’s parks. Fun fact: It converted a shopping mall into Asia’s first pro pickleball complex in 2023. Filipino-English play ties globally. Government support eyes tournaments—how big can it get?