Pickleball fever is real. The number of pickleball enthusiasts has grown astronomically in the last couple of years—with people of all ages eager to try out the badminton meets tennis meets ping-pong combination.
Over 36 million Americans played the sport at least once in 2022, and this week, UBS estimated pickleball will continue to grow by 150% in 2023. While the sport has served as an important social and physical activity outlet for seniors, it may also be contributing to more injury-related health care costs. In an analysis released this week, UBS estimates that the cost of pickleball-related injuries in 2023 will climb to $377 million, with the majority due to out-patient care.
