UPA Asia, YouGov: 1.9 Billion Aware of Pickleball, 812 Million Tried

A new UPA Asia and YouGov Singapore online survey of more than 14,000 respondents across 12 Asian markets found roughly 1.9 billion people in Asia are aware of pickleball and 812 million have played at least once, with an estimated 282 million playing at least once a month. The study used nationally representative samples of at least 1,000 respondents per market and extrapolated responses based on population size, and it reports regional participation growing at roughly 60 percent year-over-year while 62 percent of respondents said they learned about the sport within the last two years.

Vietnam stands out in the data. The survey shows approximately 88 percent awareness in Vietnam and more than 37 percent of respondents reporting pickleball experience, with year-over-year growth of roughly 150 percent. Spectator interest in Vietnam has followed participation: the PPA Tour Asia Vietnam Cup in Da Nang drew 7,906 fans in October 2025, setting a Guinness World Record for attendance at a single pickleball event.

India and China supply scale at the grassroots level. The study and related event reports estimate India has about 178 million monthly players, and courts in India rose from roughly 200 in early 2024 to 1,200 by mid-2025; India also hosted the IPA Nationals in Bengaluru in November 2025 with more than 2,000 players. China is reported to have over 60 million monthly players. Malaysia recorded one of the largest awareness increases, with a 132 percent rise in 2024 versus 2023, while Singapore shows about 70 percent awareness.

Kimberly Koh, Managing Director of UPA Asia, framed the moment as pivotal: “We have witnessed the rapid rise of pickleball in the United States in recent years and have every reason to believe that the explosion of growth in Asia could be just as huge, if not bigger. With over 4.8 billion people in Asia, where there is a strong history in racket sports, pickleball is well-positioned to reach new players and fans,” Koh said. “We are at a key inflection point in the history of our sport. UPA Asia, through our PPA Tour Asia starting in July, and Major League Pickleball Asia in 2026, will showcase the sport at the highest level across Asia, providing platforms for stars to display their skills and engage new audiences.”

The scale of participation places Asia in a different league. DUPR framed the numbers against national populations, noting 812 million players in Asia exceeds the roughly 340 million people living in the United States, and 282 million monthly players is equivalent to more than 80 percent of the U.S. population engaging with the sport regularly. Combined with event milestones like the October 2025 Da Nang record and the November 2025 IPA Nationals in Bengaluru, the survey data indicate Asia is moving from rapid grassroots growth to sustained spectator and competitive infrastructure, with pro tours and league events scheduled to amplify that shift.