Pickleball’s Big Break: How US Colleges Are Turning a Backyard Game Into a Scholarship Sport
Pickleball is emerging as a collegiate sport across US campuses, offering scholarships, structured leagues, and new opportunities for student-athletes while challenging traditional sports like tennis.
Pickleball, once dismissed as a casual pastime for retirees, is surging into a new era—this time on college campuses across the United States. From the University of Florida to smaller liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, pickleball is evolving from an intramural activity into a legitimate collegiate sport with scholarships, structured leagues, and varsity-level recognition.
A Sport Rewriting the Campus Playbook
Over the last decade, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the country, with participation tripling between 2019 and 2024. While tennis and basketball have traditionally dominated campus courts, pickleball’s blend of accessibility, speed, and community appeal is reshaping athletic priorities.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), more than 13.6 million Americans now play pickleball regularly, with the highest growth among 18-24 year-olds—precisely the demographic filling university enrollment rolls. This demographic shift is compelling colleges to take pickleball seriously, not only as a recreational outlet but as a competitive sport.
Scholarships and Competitive Leagues
Several colleges, including smaller athletic powerhouses in the South and Midwest, have begun offering pickleball scholarships to attract talent. These scholarships may not yet rival those of basketball or football, but they mark a significant milestone: pickleball is no longer a hobby; it’s a path to higher education.
The National Collegiate Pickleball Association (NCPA), formed in 2023, is working with universities to create standardized rules, rankings, and intercollegiate tournaments. Early adopters such as Arizona State University and Ohio State have already hosted large-scale invitational events, drawing hundreds of student-athletes and spectators.
“We’re not just building a team, we’re building a culture,” said Coach Linda Martinez of the University of Central Florida’s inaugural pickleball program. “Our athletes see pickleball as a serious competitive sport, and we’re training at a level that mirrors traditional varsity programs.”
Student-Athlete Perspectives
For many students, pickleball is an opportunity to shine in a sport that doesn’t require the same early specialization as tennis or soccer.
Jordan Price, a sophomore from Texas who received one of the first pickleball scholarships at his college, explained:
“I played tennis in high school, but pickleball gave me a chance to compete at a higher level without the same barriers. It’s intense, strategic, and fun—and now it’s helping me pay for college.”
Others see it as a chance to balance academics with athletics in a more manageable way. Unlike traditional sports that demand grueling travel schedules, collegiate pickleball is being designed with shorter seasons and more regional tournaments, making it accessible for students who want competition without burnout.
The Economic and Cultural Ripple
Pickleball’s expansion into higher education also has an economic dimension. Campus recreation centers are investing in new courts, gear companies are partnering with athletic departments, and cities hosting college tournaments are reporting boosts in local tourism.
Universities are also leveraging pickleball as a recruitment tool. Prospective students increasingly look for schools that support diverse extracurriculars, and a formal pickleball program can be a selling point.
Moreover, pickleball’s inclusivity—often cited as one of its strongest cultural features—makes it attractive to students from various athletic backgrounds, including those who may not have pursued varsity sports otherwise.
A Challenge to Traditional Sports
Some athletic directors admit that pickleball’s rise is forcing tough conversations. Tennis programs, in particular, feel both competition and opportunity. While some schools are blending facilities and coaching resources, others worry about pickleball siphoning attention, funding, and recruits.
Still, the majority agree the sport’s rapid adoption is too significant to ignore.
“We’re not talking about a fad,” said Michael O’Connor, athletic director at a Midwestern college. “This is a cultural shift. Pickleball is here to stay, and colleges that embrace it early will have a competitive advantage.”
Looking Ahead
With the NCPA pushing for an official collegiate championship as early as 2026, pickleball’s trajectory looks unstoppable. Analysts predict that within five years, pickleball could join the ranks of other established varsity sports in dozens of universities nationwide.
The question is no longer if pickleball will become a collegiate mainstay, but how quickly it will reshape the landscape of college athletics.
