History of Pickleball The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (USAPA) was founded, and the first official rulebook was published to standardize and promote the sport nationally. Pickleball exploded in popularity, becoming America's fastest-growing sport with millions of players, celebrity involvement, professional leagues, and dedicated courts worldwide. Three friends—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—invented pickleball on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a family backyard game using a wiffle ball, ping-pong paddles, and a lowered badminton net. The first permanent pickleball court was built in the backyard of a friend's home, solidifying the sport's basic setup and encouraging regular play among locals. The first known pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington, marking the beginning of organized competitive play and drawing early enthusiasts. Pickleball spread to communities across the United States, with the game now being played actively in all 50 states for the first time. The first USA Pickleball National Championships were held in Buckeye, Arizona, establishing a premier annual event that boosted the sport's visibility. Professional tours launched with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Association of Pickleball Players (APP), turning pickleball into a career sport with prize money. PickleballCourts.io 1965 1967 1976 1984 1990 2009 2019 2020s