Pickleball named among most popular sports in America

New data reveals that pickleball is more popular than bowling, soccer, baseball and tennis. Pickleball ranks as the fourth most popular sport in America, with more than 1.1 million monthly searches on Google, according to data.

The study by online sports betting site, Betting-AZ, analyzed Google search data to reveal which sport Americans are most interested in learning.

The research analyzed Google Trends data for more than 45 sports of the last 12 months for search terms often associated with learning new sports, analyzing how many times terms such as “[sport] rules,” “[sport] [facilities] near me” and “how to play [sport]” have been Googled on average.

The data revealed the sport that most people are eager to learn about is golf, which had an average monthly search volume of 1,373,100. Golf may not be as physically demanding as other sports, but it offers more mental stimulation, appealing to people of all skill levels. It can be highly competitive and stress-reducing, suggesting why people are eager to get involved.

Basketball took second place, with an average of 1,329,612 monthly searches. Basketball fosters teamwork and quick thinking, combining physical and mental activity, which can explain the sport’s appeal. The game’s rapid pace can improve social skills as you must think fast and communicate with your team to succeed. The sport is also a cost-effective game, which means it can be played anywhere as long as there is a hoop and ball. No extra equipment is required. Furthermore, basketball is immensely popular in schools both as a sport and an event, so parents may be putting their children into lessons to help improve their skills in hopes of them joining school sports teams in the future.

The third most popular sport Americans want to get involved in is football, which had an average monthly search volume of 1,275,722. Football is a thrilling sport, both to watch and participate in. It is a great way to boost stamina, strength and mental agility, as you must think fast and be prepared to take hits from any angle. The game can keep viewers on their toes, as things can change at any second, making it a great event to attend, as is common in schools and colleges.

The fourth sport people are most interested in learning how to play and getting involved in is pickleball. The racket-based game combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis (ping pong) and had, on average, 1,130,299 monthly searches, beating out other popular sports such as dodgeball, swimming and tennis. The game is less complex than tennis and requires a smaller court, making it an excellent sport for beginners.

The fifth most popular sport is boxing which had an average of 1,079,093 monthly searches in the past 12 months. Boxing training provides a full-body workout and can be a fun alternative to regular gym training. It is a great way to learn self-defense, as it can improve accuracy and teaches defensive moves which can prevent injuries.

The remainder of the rankings included bowling, which had an average monthly search volume of 970,847, soccer which had 867,883 monthly searches, tennis which had 739,526 searches and baseball and mixed martial arts, both of which had more than 550,000 average monthly searches.

Commenting on these findings, a spokesperson from Betting-AZ says: “It’s fascinating to see which sports people are keenest to learn and play, with the data highlighting the popularity of golf at the top list and pickleball, which has recently increased in popularity. It is fascinating to see the rise in popularity of pickleball, with many recreation centers including the sport in their facilities. According to the United States Pickleball Association, there are more than 10,724 locations nationwide to play, with an additional 1,557 sites including the sport as part of their roster by the end of 2022. This further emphasizes the popularity, and those yet to try the sport should get involved.”