Pickleball continues its meteoric rise as America's fastest-growing sport in 2025, with exciting developments happening both on and off the court. From professional league shake-ups to fashion statements that turn heads, the pickleball world is buzzing with activity. Let's dive into the top five trending pickleball stories that have everyone talking this year!
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1. Major League Pickleball Announces 2025 Player Keepers 🏆
The pickleball pro scene got a major shake-up on February 18 when Major League Pickleball announced their 2025 player keepers and drops for all 22 teams. This year brings significant changes to roster structures, with Premier Level teams expanding to six players (three males and three females) and Challenger Level teams fielding four players (two males and two females).
Some powerhouse teams made strategic moves to maintain their competitive edge. Carolina Pickleball Club kept their dynamic duo of Ben and Collin Johns, while New Jersey 5s secured the phenomenal Anna Leigh Waters alongside Zane Navratil. The Dallas Flash retained their sibling sensation package of JW and Jorja Johnson, ensuring family chemistry remains on the court.
Not all teams played it safe, though. In surprising moves, both Chicago Slice and New York Hustlers dropped their entire rosters, signaling potential rebuilding strategies or major acquisitions ahead. These bold decisions have fans speculating about potential blockbuster signings when Premier Free Agency opens on March 2, followed by Challenger Free Agency on March 3.
The 2025 MLP season kicks off in Orlando, Florida, from April 24-27, where we'll see how these roster decisions play out on the court. With expanded team sizes and fresh player combinations, this season promises more strategic depth and exciting matchups than ever before.
2. Pickleball Equipment Market Continues Explosive Growth 📈
If you needed proof that pickleball is more than just a passing trend, look no further than the latest market research. According to a comprehensive report released on April 8, 2025, the Pickleball Equipment Market was valued at a whopping USD 457.3 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 735.8 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%.
The paddle segment alone reached USD 229.3 million in 2024 and is expected to hit USD 381.7 million by 2034, reflecting the increasing consumer interest in high-performance and customizable equipment. Online sales dominated the distribution channels, accounting for approximately 63.6% of total revenue in 2024, as players increasingly prefer the convenience of comparing products and reading reviews before making their purchases.
What's driving this remarkable growth? The sport's accessibility and ease of learning have fueled its rapid rise in popularity, attracting players across all age groups and skill levels. Pickleball has found a sweet spot by appealing to both younger and older adults due to its lower physical intensity and social nature.
Technological advancements in paddle manufacturing have also transformed equipment quality and performance. Modern paddles now incorporate materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, graphite, and polymer cores to enhance durability, control, and power. Customization options have surged in demand, with players seeking personalized paddle designs, grip sizes, weight distribution, and surface textures tailored to their specific playing styles.
The U.S. pickleball equipment market is particularly hot, projected to grow at a CAGR of over 4.9% through 2034. With major brands like Selkirk Sport, Engage Pickleball, and Paddletek competing for market share, and newcomers entering the space, innovation in pickleball equipment shows no signs of slowing down.
3. New Pickleball Rules Shake Up the Game for 2025 📝
The rulebook got a refresh this year with five significant changes that aim to improve gameplay integrity and provide more flexibility for players. These updates, announced on January 10, 2025, are already changing how the game is played at all levels.
The most impactful change might be the new "Partner Accountability" rule (13.D.1.a), which now requires players to call out balls on their partner as well as themselves. As the official rulebook states, "If you see something, say something in 2025!" This change promotes greater integrity in the game and should increase the accuracy of line calls throughout play.
Spectators will need to keep their opinions to themselves under Rule 6.C.4, which prevents them from offering advice on calls. No more "bleacher coaching" allowed! This creates a cleaner competitive environment where players must rely on their own skills and judgment.
For those who need a moment before receiving serve, Rule 4.C.2 now allows players to vocalize that they're not ready. Previously, only hand signals were permitted, but now both visual and verbal "not ready" signals are legal.
Servers get more flexibility with Rule 4.A.5, which permits releasing the pickleball from the paddle to start a serve. However, there's a catch – you can't use any spin when dropping the ball from your paddle. This provides more serving options while maintaining fair play.
Perhaps most intriguing is the provisional introduction of rally scoring (Rules 4.G.1 and 12.B.1), which allows points to be scored regardless of which team is serving. While regular scoring will remain the official method at most events, this change could eventually speed up games and make scoring more intuitive for newcomers to the sport.
These rule changes reflect pickleball's evolution as it continues to grow and formalize as a competitive sport while maintaining its accessible, fun nature.
4. Pickleball Fashion Makes a Splash This Spring 👗
Pickleball isn't just changing how we play—it's changing how we look while playing! According to Victoria Radnothy, the PPA Tour's official fashion correspondent, four major trends are dominating the courts this spring.
Bubble hem skirts are having a moment, with Jorja Johnson introducing this adorable trend at the CIBC Texas Open. These skirts feature a gathered hemline that creates a bubbled, rounded effect that's both playful and flattering. Brands like Wiskii, Aerie, Free People, and Abercrombie's athletic wear line "Your Personal Best" are all embracing this feminine silhouette.
Color trends are making the courts more vibrant than ever. Butter yellow brings joy and sunshine to the game, with pros like Tyra Black and Parris Todd sporting matching sets from Alo. Light pink offers a softer alternative to last summer's Barbie pink, seen on Anna Leigh Waters in her FILA outfits. Even JW Johnson has embraced the pink trend, proving that real men wear pink on the pickleball court! Completing the color palette is emerald green, a bold choice that stands out beautifully, often paired with pops of yellow for maximum visual impact.
Zipper detailing has crossed gender lines, appearing on both men's and women's pickleball attire. Male pros like Michael Loyd, Noe Khlif, and Martin Emmrich sport T-shirts with zippers on the collar, while women's tennis dresses feature functional zippers that provide sun protection or ventilation as needed. Stack* athletics, 11NIL, and Wilson are leading brands in this trend.
Perhaps most eye-catching are the corsets and bodice details appearing on tennis dresses. These structured elements create an ultra-flattering silhouette that photographs beautifully on court. 11NIL is pioneering this trend with dresses that combine athletic performance with runway-worthy style. As Radnothy notes, "A corset should not look this good in spandex and polyester, but it does!"
With top players like Anna Leigh Waters, Jorja Johnson, Tyra Black, and Genie Bouchard embracing these trends, pickleball fashion is elevating the sport's visual appeal and bringing style to courts everywhere.
5. Top Pro Pickleball Players to Watch in 2025 🌟
The professional pickleball landscape continues to evolve, with established stars being challenged by rising talents. According to a Forbes analysis published on January 22, 2025, several players are positioned to make major impacts this year.
Leading the men's division is Federico Staksrud, whose 2024 season was nothing short of legendary. He wrested control of the No. 1 singles ranking from Ben Johns—the first time in pro pickleball history that Johns lost the top spot—and won medals in 20 of 24 events. With his recent result in the first 2025 PPA tour event, Staksrud has also overtaken Johns for No. 1 in Men's Doubles. His new partnership with adidas as their pickleball namesake signals that "Big Fed" may be taking over as the face of the sport.
Don't count out Ben Johns just yet, though. The long-time No. 1 player still won 32 gold medals in the 2024 season—nearly double the number of his closest male competitor. After parting ways with his brother and long-time doubles partner Collin, Johns will play the new season primarily with rising star Gabe Tardio, a partnership that could reinvigorate his dominance.
Young talents are making their mark as well. Nineteen-year-old Hayden Patriquin exploded onto the scene in 2024, winning 10 doubles medals and leading the top St. Louis Shock MLP team. His partnership with Staksrud led to three golds in 2024, including the Tour Finals title. With trash-talk skills nearly as impressive as his on-court game, Patriquin is becoming a fan favorite.
Gabriel Tardio's patience during the "tour wars" paid off with a lucrative $800k three-year deal. After winning nine doubles medals in 2024 with various partners and scoring multiple head-to-head wins over the then-No. 1 Johns brothers team, Tardio's new partnership with Ben Johns could elevate both players.
JW Johnson, sometimes overlooked despite his consistent excellence, remains a force on tour. Ranked in the top 5 in both doubles genres and just outside the top 10 in Singles, Johnson is adapting to life without long-time doubles partner Dylan Frazier as he seeks new chemistry on court.
On the women's side, Anna Leigh Waters continues her unprecedented dominance. The 17-year-old Florida native won 46 gold medals in 2024—more than all other female players combined. She finished No. 1 in all three disciplines (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) and compiled astonishing records: 62-4 in singles, 85-4 in doubles, and an almost perfect 84-1 in Mixed Doubles. The scary part? She's still improving, adding power, technical skills, and mental toughness to her already formidable arsenal.
With international events on the immediate horizon and both major pro tours kicking off their 2025 slates, this year promises thrilling competition and potentially new hierarchies in professional pickleball.
The Future Looks Bright for Pickleball 🌈
As we've seen from these top stories, pickleball continues its impressive trajectory in 2025. From professional league developments and market growth to rule changes, fashion trends, and emerging stars, the sport is evolving while maintaining the accessibility and fun that attracted so many players in the first place.
Whether you're a competitive player keeping up with the pros, a fashion-conscious court regular, or a casual weekend warrior, there's never been a more exciting time to be involved in pickleball. As courts continue to spring up in communities nationwide and the professional game reaches new heights, one thing is clear: pickleball isn't just a pandemic pastime—it's a cultural phenomenon with staying power.
So grab your paddle (perhaps a new high-tech one), don your trendiest court outfit, brush up on the latest rules, and join the millions of Americans who have fallen in love with this addictive, social, and endlessly entertaining sport. The pickleball revolution is here to stay! 🏓
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