Pickleball started in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in a family backyard.
Curious minds often ask when did pickleball start, because the sport seems brand new. I’ve taught clinics, coached first-time players, and studied the game’s backstory. In this guide, I’ll explain when did pickleball start, who created it, how it grew, and why it exploded. You will walk away with a clear timeline, fun facts, and practical insight from real courts.
What year did pickleball start?
If you want the short answer to when did pickleball start, it began in the summer of 1965. The setting was Bainbridge Island, near Seattle. It began as a backyard fix for bored kids. The founders mashed ideas from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. They lowered a net, grabbed a perforated plastic ball, and made a new game.
The first court lines were rough chalk. The paddles were made from plywood. Yet the play was quick and social from day one. That spark has never faded.
When did pickleball start matters because it explains why the rules feel friendly. The game was built for family use, not elite sport. That is why points start with a serve that must be gentle. It is also why rallies last longer and feel fun for all ages.
The three founders and the backyard beginnings
Three neighbors created the game: Congressman Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They came back from golf to kids who were restless. They set up a badminton net but lacked shuttlecocks. So they tried a Wiffle-style ball. They found the ball worked best with solid paddles and a lower net. By the end of the weekend, a new game had a shape.
Key early choices that stuck:
- Lowering the net to around tennis height made the ball bounce well.
- Using a perforated plastic ball reduced speed and made rallies longer.
- Making a small, no-volley zone near the net prevented easy smashes.
These choices still define how we play today. If you have asked when did pickleball start and why it feels so welcoming, that is your answer. It was a family-first design, tested in a driveway.
Early rules and equipment: how the game took shape
In the first year, rules were simple. The serve had to be underhand. You could only win points when serving. The now-famous two-bounce rule arrived early. The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before anyone can volley. This gave players time and made the start of each rally fair.
Gear grew along with the rules:
- Paddles moved from plywood to fiberglass and honeycomb cores in the 1980s.
- Net height standardized at 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the middle.
- The court size fixed at 20 by 44 feet, like badminton doubles.
When did pickleball start drives how gear evolved. The first paddles were home-made. Later, an engineer introduced composite cores. That shift made control and touch better. It also made the sport more consistent across parks and clubs.
From driveway to nationwide: growth timeline
To understand when did pickleball start and how it spread, here is the path the sport took. The growth was steady at first. Then it surged.
- 1965: Game created on Bainbridge Island.
- 1967: First permanent court built at the founders’ friend’s home.
- 1972: Pickle-Ball, Inc. formed to organize paddles, balls, and rules.
- 1976: First known tournament held in Washington state.
- 1984: National rulebook published and a formal association formed.
- Late 1990s–2000s: Courts pop up in schools, YMCAs, and parks across the country.
- 2009: First national tournament draws hundreds of players.
- 2010s: International bodies form as the sport spreads abroad.
- 2019–2021: Pro tours and team leagues launch. Media coverage grows fast.
- 2020s: Labeled the fastest-growing sport in the United States by industry reports.
When did pickleball start is one question. When did it break out is another. The big leap came when parks repainted unused tennis courts. That unlocked space. People tried it and told friends. Pandemic years also nudged many toward outdoor play, and pickleball fit the moment.
Why the name “pickleball”? Myths and facts
Fans love this part. Two stories exist about the name.
- The “pickle boat” story. The founders’ family used a rowing term. A “pickle boat” is a crew made of leftover oarsmen. The game mixed paddles and rules from other sports. It felt like a “pickle boat.” Many historians accept this as the main source.
- The dog story. Some say the family dog, Pickles, chased the ball. It is charming and often repeated. Records suggest the dog arrived after the sport started and may have been named for the game.
When did pickleball start connects to this naming tale. Early accounts from the founders’ circle support the pickle boat origin. But the dog story still lives on courts, and that is okay. Both stories show the game’s playful roots.
Why interest surged recently
As I coached new groups, I saw the pattern. People asked when did pickleball start, then fell in love with how it plays today. The surge came from a perfect mix:
- Low barrier to entry. Cheap gear. Easy to learn in one session.
- Social design. Short courts let you chat between points.
- All-ages appeal. Teens, parents, and grandparents can share a court.
- Health benefits. Gentle on joints. Good for balance and cardio.
- Court efficiency. Four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court.
Industry data shows back-to-back years of record participation growth. Recreation departments added lines to meet demand. Physical education programs included it. Brands and pros joined in. The sport moved from parks to TV and pro arenas.
How I learned the history on the court
My best lesson on when did pickleball start came from an 82-year-old partner named Linda. She told me how her first coach, in the late 1970s, made paddles in his garage. He kept the kitchen rule strict. No volleys in that zone, ever. Linda said that rule kept her wrists safe and rallies fun.
Practical tips I share with beginners:
- Respect the two-bounce start. It sets a fair pace for all players.
- Learn dinks early. They are the soul of the game.
- Use a light paddle if you have wrist pain.
- Aim for placement, not power. That is true to the sport’s roots.
Stories like Linda’s make when did pickleball start feel alive. The rules were not random. They were kind on purpose.
When did pickleball start vs. when it went pro
Many ask when did pickleball start, but what they mean is when did it turn pro. The backyard birth was 1965. Pro play came much later.
- Local and state events ran for decades before national draws.
- The first national championship event arrived in 2009.
- Pro tours began around 2019–2020.
- Team-based leagues launched in 2021.
- Today, prize money, sponsorships, and TV slots are common.
This shift did not change the core. Recreational play still runs the show. Pros kept the same court and the same kitchen rule. That is rare in sport and a big reason the game feels honest.
Key facts to remember
If you want a crisp recap to answer when did pickleball start, keep these in your pocket:
- Year: 1965
- Place: Bainbridge Island, Washington
- Founders: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, Barney McCallum
- Early gear: Plywood paddles, perforated plastic ball, lowered net
- Signature rules: Underhand serve, two-bounce rule, no-volley zone
Share that list and you will sound like a court historian.
How to verify the history yourself
Trust is important when we talk about when did pickleball start. You can cross-check with multiple sources:
- Look up official rulebooks from the sport’s governing bodies.
- Read early interviews with the founders and their families.
- Review major tournament records and archived news pieces.
- Compare timelines from national associations and museum exhibits.
If two or three sources agree on a date, it is usually solid. Where stories differ, like the name origin, say so. That is how we keep the history honest.
Frequently Asked Questions of when did pickleball start
When did pickleball start in the United States?
It started in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Three neighbors created it as a fun backyard game.
When did pickleball start being played in schools?
Many schools adopted it in the 1990s and 2000s. It grew fast because gyms could set up portable nets and teach it in one class.
When did pickleball start to become a professional sport?
Pro tours emerged around 2019–2020, with team leagues in 2021. National championships began earlier, in 2009.
When did pickleball start outside the United States?
Clubs formed abroad in the 2000s and 2010s. Today, national federations exist on several continents.
When did pickleball start using composite paddles?
Composite paddles appeared in the 1980s. They improved control and set a standard still used today.
Conclusion
Now you can answer when did pickleball start with confidence: 1965, Bainbridge Island, three neighbors, family-first rules. The game grew because it stayed simple, social, and kind on the body. Try a session this week, even if you are new. Learn the kitchen, practice soft shots, and enjoy the talk between points. Want more tips and stories like this? Subscribe, share your questions in the comments, and invite a friend to the court.