According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has held the title of fastest-growing sport in America since 2022, with more than 50 million players in the U.S. and an estimated 812 million players across Asia. The sport’s global expansion now spans over 60 countries on six continents, and there is active conversation about adding pickleball as a future Olympic sport.

That incredible growth is consistent with the scene on most college campuses. In just two years, the number of collegiate pickleball clubs registered with USA Pickleball has jumped from 30 to more than 200—a sign of the sport’s rising popularity, inclusivity, and accessibility.

To help campus recreation professionals understand how to develop or expand their programs, NIRSA, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), and USA Pickleball partnered to present the free webinar “Growing Pickleball on Your Campus.”

Key takeaways

Several important themes came to the forefront through the presentation, including:

Pickleball aligns with campus recreation department goals

Pickleball’s social and inclusive nature supports student wellbeing and community-building. It attracts a wide range of participants and is relatively inexpensive to integrate into club or intramural programming—requiring minimal equipment and adaptable court space.

Collegiate growth is rapid and sustainable

Participation and skill levels among college students are rising quickly. With more clubs, competitions, and resources available than ever before, institutions can easily join a national network that promotes healthy, engaging, and sustainable recreation.

See related: “Pickleball joins the lineup of NIRSA Championship Series sports”

Competitive pathways through the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series

A centerpiece of collegiate play, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series—a NIRSA Championship Series event—features:

  • Seven regional qualifiers and a U.S. Collegiate Championship for team and individual events
  • $85,000 in prize money and national media exposure
  • Broadcast coverage on ESPN and CBS Sports, with live streaming on APP TV and Selkirk TV
  • Every match is officiated for an equitable competition experience
  • This series is the only collegiate property officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, creating a structured, credible pathway for student-athletes

About the Association of Pickleball Players (APP)

The APP is the only professional and amateur pickleball tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball. Founded by Ken Herrmann, one of the sport’s most respected leaders, and led in competition by Melissa McCurley—a Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee—the APP hosts more than 30 global events annually.

Majority owned by Intersport, a leader in collegiate sports event management, the APP brings professional visibility through partnerships with CBS and ESPN, while also driving player development through programs like APP Academy, APP Next, and APP Collegiate.

About USA Pickleball

Established in 1984, USA Pickleball is the official National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport in the United States. The nonprofit organization safeguards the sport’s integrity while promoting its growth through:

  • Tournament sanctioning and referee certification
  • Facility accreditation and certified equipment testing
  • Educational resources including how-to guides, sample bylaws, budget planning resources, and a National Collegiate Club Directory
  • Financial support through Grow the Game (equipment) and Play It Forward (court funding) grants
  • Travel assistance and sponsorship opportunities for qualifying programs

Professional development & volunteer opportunities

Beyond player development, the collegiate pickleball ecosystem provides hands-on learning for staff and students alike. Opportunities include:

  • Tournament management and officiating
  • Facility operations, photography, and social media
  • Marketing and sponsorship collaborations through APP and USA Pickleball

These experiences align directly with campus recreation’s focus on experiential learning and professional growth.

What’s next

The 2025–2026 NIRSA Championship Series Pickleball season will continue expanding across the country, with regional events feeding into the U.S. Collegiate Championships, scheduled for March 6–8 in Cape Coral, Florida.

Campuses interested in joining the movement should:

  • Assess available courts or conversion options
  • Assign a staff lead or graduate assistant for program development
  • Apply for USA Pickleball grants to support equipment or court installation
  • Connect with APP and USA Pickleball for partnership and promotion opportunities

As the fastest-growing sport in America and a rising global phenomenon, pickleball is more than a trend—it’s a powerful tool for engagement, inclusion, and wellbeing on college campuses.

Through the combined efforts of NIRSA, APP, and USA Pickleball, collegiate recreation professionals now have the roadmap, resources, and network needed to bring this exciting sport to students nationwide.

Pickleball’s momentum shows no sign of slowing—and for campus recreation, the time to join the movement is now.

  • For more information about NIRSA’s Associate Showcase and sponsored content opportunities, please contact NIRSA Campus Activation Coordinator Meg Castro.
Director of National Sport Programs at  | NIRSA Profile

Nicole Jackson is currently the Director of National Sport Programs at NIRSA.