The 25 Fastest-Growing Sports in America
Which sports have experienced increased participation among Americans in recent years? In light of the annual Topline Participation report, it is evident that interest in a specific racket sport has witnessed a notable upswing. Drawing from data sourced from the 2023 edition of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Topline Participation report, the ReCreate™ team has compiled a ranked list encompassing the 25 fastest-growing sports in the United States. The criteria for inclusion in this study encompass sports and activities outlined in the SFIA report, which necessitate a degree of physical exertion, demand physical proficiency, and incorporate an element of competition.
The outcomes of the 2023 Topline Report underscore a sustained escalation in overall physical activity levels among Americans. This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth in the number of Americans participating in sports or fitness activities. The study reveals that in 2022, 77.6% of Americans aged 6 and above engaged in at least one form of physical activity, representing a 1.6% increase compared to the activity levels observed in 2021. Furthermore, participation in team sports, which witnessed a significant decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, has experienced a resurgence, reaching 23.2% in 2022. To discern the sports that have witnessed the most substantial growth between 2018 and 2022 in the United States, please refer to the accompanying graphic.
Pickleball emerges as the fastest-growing sport in America, with participation among individuals aged 6 and older surging by an impressive 171.1% between 2018 and 2022. The sport of pickleball has consistently witnessed a year-over-year increase in participation over the past five years, culminating in a remarkable 85.7% surge in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Among the fastest-growing sports in the United States, several winter sports have experienced a significant surge in interest over the past four years. Alpine touring and winter fat biking rank as the second and third fastest-growing sports in the nation, registering growth rates of 115% and 69.4%, respectively. Snowboard touring occupies the fifth position, with a 59.1% increase in participation since 2018.
Pickleball, a sport that employs rackets and a perforated hollow ball and can be played both indoors and outdoors on a court with a central net, is a point of particular interest. This game accommodates two or four players, positioned on opposite sides of the net, who volley the ball back and forth. Often likened to a fusion of ping-pong and tennis, pickleball has solidified its status as the swiftest-growing sport in the United States, a trend that has persisted for the past few years. Notably, numerous cities across the country have embraced this burgeoning sport by establishing a multitude of pickleball clubs and converting existing courts into dedicated pickleball facilities.
It is worth noting that the most popular sport in America, based on the highest number of participants aged 6 and above, remains bicycle riding. Specifically, road or paved surface cycling, engaged in by 43.55 million Americans in 2022, constitutes the preference of more than 14% of the U.S. population aged 6 and above who traversed paved cycling trails during the previous year.