USA Pickleball just announced a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) to expand pickleball to youth across the country.
With this partnership, USA Pickleball will be the lead provider for the sport in the clubs, delivering equipment and structured programming. The goal is to create sustainable and long-term engagement with the sport across the demographic.
Over 24 million Americans played pickleball in 2025 and the average age dropped to 35 as more kids and teens began to play.
Social media has also helped with this. As youth are more active online, influencers who are also playing the sport and sharing it are causing more children to want to play. They are also seeing it as they go to local parks where more people are playing on outdoor courts. The visibility of the sport allows for expansion within the demographic without the traditional marketing that is focused on adults joining clubs and leagues.
The sport’s accessibility and low barrier to entry make pickleball an easy sport for youth. More schools across the country are beginning to add pickleball into PE programming because of its affordability, inclusivity and physical benefits.
The partnership highlights this and will allow the sport to expand into communities where it may make a lasting impact.
“This partnership is about more than growing the game; it is about creating access and opportunity where it matters most,” said Jose Moreno, the chief marketing and strategy officer of USA Pickleball, in a statement.
BGCA serves over four million kids across 5,500 locations and has been doing so for more than 160 years. Through this partnership, the sport will be introduced to their programming, allowing those interested to participate in a safe and supportive environment.
“Sports play a critical role in how young people build confidence and develop leadership skills,” said Chad Hartman, the national vice president of corporate partnerships and engagement at BCGA, in a statement. “Through this partnership with USA Pickleball, we’re expanding access to a fast-growing, highly accessible sport and ensuring that more youth can play, connect and thrive. This is really about creating meaningful experiences for kids and teens through this sport – experiences that support their growth and success.”
The partnership will begin in Arizona in 75 clubs and reach over 50,000 youth. Each club will receive starter kits, which include paddles, balls and nets, to help with the structured guides USA Pickleball will be providing to ensure the programming will be consistent.
All of this is part of BCGA’s approach to youth development, where they intentionally integrate sports as it has been proven to lead to academic improvement, better mental health and leadership development.
The USA Pickleball and BGCA partnership shows how the sport is reaching new audiences. By bringing pickleball into an established youth development network, the two organizations are creating a model for sustainable, community-based growth. Structured programming, equipment accessibility and community-rooted delivery are what help with younger groups. Clubs and facilities that invest in youth-focused programming — whether through school partnerships, after-school integrations or beginner friendly formats — are positioning themselves to capture a generation of players who are already eager to engage with the sport.
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Jordan Meek is a staff writer for Pickleball Innovators, where she covers the rapidly evolving business of pickleball — from facility growth and technology to player experience and industry strategy. A graduate of Denison University with a degree in Journalism, she joined Peake Media in 2025 and brings a passion for storytelling and curiosity to every piece. Jordan is driven to spotlight the leaders shaping the sport and uncover insights that help operators thrive in the fastest-growing game in America.
