Pickleball in the UK: What’s New

Pickleball in the UK: What’s New, What’s Next, and Why It’s All Getting a Bit Brilliant

Pickleball in the UK is blowing up! and If you’ve been anywhere near a court lately or even just scrolling your socials, you’ll know something’s shifting in the world of pickleball. And no, it’s not just the sound of another dink rally echoing through a converted tennis hall. It’s the fact that pickleball in the UK is having a full-blown moment. From booming club memberships to headline tournaments and even a few Olympic whispers, 2025 is shaping up to be the year the game stops being “that American sport” and starts becoming our game too.

Let’s start with the obvious: more people are playing pickleball than ever before. From teenagers in trainers to over-50s in full swing, courts are getting booked, paddles are selling out, and community halls are busier than ever. In fact, many local clubs are now running waiting lists for beginner sessions. And it’s not just in the cities. Small towns, rural leisure centres, even church halls are seeing fresh lines taped down and portable nets unpacked. This isn’t just growth — it’s momentum. And you can feel it.

The Big Tournaments Are Getting Bigger (and Louder)

One of the biggest signs that UK pickleball has gone prime-time? The English Open. It’s back in Telford this August and it’s shaping up to be the largest international pickleball event outside of the US. With 40+ courts and players from over 40 countries flying in, this year’s Open is going to be a total spectacle. Not just for competitors, but for fans, curious onlookers, and anyone who wants to soak up the atmosphere (and probably buy a new paddle while they’re at it).

The English Nationals Singles tournament in May brought nearly 400 players together in Loughborough for a weekend of seriously tight rallies and electric crowd energy. We had local legends, rising stars, and absolute grit on display. This is what pickleball should look like competitive, accessible, and plain fun.

Also worth watching? The ONE British Pickleball GP coming to Surrey this July. With a £10,000 prize pool and some of the top UK talent confirmed, this is proper pro-level stuff. More proof that pickleball is no longer niche — it’s officially a sport with serious weight.

And Then There’s… Everything Else

Behind all the big events are the quieter stories that make this moment so exciting. Like the fact that pickleball is now being added to UK school curriculums. That’s right PE teachers are introducing kids to pickleball alongside football and netball, giving it a whole new generation of fans and players. Or that big-name leisure chains are adding dedicated pickleball courts to more and more clubs, with new venues opening monthly to keep up with demand.

Then there’s the tech side of things yes, we’ve reached the point where there’s a pickleball video game on the market. Wild, right? If you’re not playing on court, you can now play virtually volleys, dinks, and all. And if that wasn’t enough, the sport’s governing bodies are making big moves too. There’s talk of unification, international coordination, and even Olympic alignment on the horizon.

Oh, and in case you missed it Team GB is officially competing on the global pickleball stage. We’re talking elite competition, flags, tracksuits, the works. Not bad for a sport most of us hadn’t heard of five years ago.

So… What Now?

Pickleball in the UK isn’t “emerging” anymore. It’s here. It’s happening. It’s filling courts, sparking conversations, and showing no signs of slowing down.

If you’ve been on the fence about giving it a go, now’s the time. If you’re already in, it’s time to level up, hit that drop shot, and maybe enter a local league. And if you’re running a club, coaching a group, or selling gear — this is your moment.

Here at Dink Quest, we’ll keep shouting about it. From club spotlights and rising stars to rule changes and tournament recaps — we’re covering every serve, spin, and smash.

The paddle revolution is officially underway in the UK.
And honestly? We’re just getting warmed up for Pickleball in the UK.

🏓🇬🇧 #PickleballUK #DinkQuestNews #WeDinkDifferent #DinkQuest #UKPickleball

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Author: Dink Quest

Dink Quest Pickleball Directory – The home of Pickleball in the UK