Fun Pickleball Facts: Asia’s Boom in Small Bites
Andrew LeeA recent study by UPA Asia & YouGov Singapore explored the growth of Pickleball in Asia, revealing some interesting insights.
1. Global awareness: nearly 2 billion know about pickleball in Asia
- 1.9 billion people across 12 Asian markets have heard of pickleball
- 812 million have tried it at least once
- 282 million players engage monthly
2. Lightning-fast growth - 60% year-over-year
- Awareness surged 60% across Asia last year
- Malaysia alone saw a 132% jump in awareness in 2024, with record increases in court usage and equipment sales
- Vietnam topped with a 152% growth rate
Image via Instagram
3. Youth movement: the 18-35 club
- Young adults are leading the trend, especially in urban areas like KL, Penang, Johor
- In Malaysia, 60% of new pickleball players are under 35, with many discovering the sport through TikTok and community events
4. Country snapshots: where the fun is happening
- Vietnam: 88% awareness, 37%+ have played
- India: 159% player surge, 50,000+ players, 500+ courts
- China: Projected 100 millionPic players, 10,000 courts in 5 years
- Philippines: From 5 clubs in 2020 to 211 clubs & 13,000 players by 2025
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Malaysia:
- Pickleball venues covering major cities across Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bharu, and East Malaysia
- Pickleball featured in over 30 local tournaments every month according to the rate of our 361 tournament directory.
Image via cfongraphy
5. Pro leagues rolling in - PPA, WPC, MLP enter the region
- Asia will host its first-ever PPA Tour stops in 2025: Malaysia, China, Japan
- The Kuala Lumpur PPA Slam in July & Oct 2025 will feature top international and Malaysian players
- WPC Kuala Lumpur is coming up on 16 - 20 Jul 2025
- MLP Asia will launch with potential franchise teams from Southeast Asia
6. Investment and market growth
- The global pickleball market is forecasted to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2025, growing to USD 9.6 billion by 2034
- In Malaysia, sport retailers like Decathlon & specialty startups report 300% increase in paddle sales in just one year
- Local paddle brands and event sponsors are emerging - homegrown entrepreneurs see this as the next big sport
- Pickle361 experienced surged of readerships 113% from Mar 2025
7. A racket-sport region’s love affair
- With strong roots in badminton and ping pong, Malaysia finds pickleball naturally appealing
- Mixed-gender play, easy learning curve, and compact court sizes fit well with urban Malaysian lifestyles
Why Asia Loves Pickleball
- Easy to pick up, easier to play with friends: Seniors, families, and young adults alike are joining casual games weekly
- Social + sporty = addictive: Events keep the community buzzing
- Facilities growing fast: Courts are now available at schools, clubs, malls, futsal halls, and even in outdoor parks
- Coaching community is rising: Certified coach programs and local clubs have trained over thousands coaches in 2025
What This Means for You (Especially in Malaysia!)
- We’ve got community heroes everywhere: From Putrajaya to Miri, KL to Penang - you’ll find coaches, club runners, and passionate players ready to guide newcomers.
- Want to get started fast?: Just bring your paddle (or borrow one!). Join a weekend meetup or friendly open play session. Many places offer free trial sessions.
- Thinking of coaching or organizing an event?: Malaysia is hungry for more certified instructors and casual tournament organizers - opportunity is open, visit 361 Coach Directory!
Malaysia is now one of Southeast Asia’s hottest pickleball hubs!
From first-time players in KL to pro hopefuls training in Penang, we’re riding the wave. And with the world tournament tours landing here in 2025, this isn’t just a trend - it’s a movement.
Let’s play. 🙌
Malaysia Boleh, Pickleball Lagi Boleh!
