What happened in 1965.

‍On Bainbridge Island (WA), families of Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum improvised a game with a badminton net, ping-pong paddles, and a Wiffle-type ball. That summer experiment became pickleball. 

The early rules.

Lower net than badminton, solid paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a non-volley zone to keep kitchen battles tactical. Bainbridge historical accounts preserve these origin details. 

1990s–2010s growth.

‍Rec centers and PE programs spread the game; low barrier to entry made it a favorite for intergenerational play.

The participation boom.

By the mid-2020s, U.S. players surged into the multi-millions, with mainstream outlets noting double-digit millions and national TV coverage at major events. 

Pro tours emerge.

Dedicated circuits professionalized the sport, with televised finals, bigger purses, and recognizable stars.

PPA + MLP era.

‍Two major entities—PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball—announced and later closed a merger, reshaping governance and media rights. Expect more unified calendars, storylines, and ranking clarity. 

Celeb ownership arrives.

‍MLP teams attracted investors from sports and entertainment—think big-name athletes and actors joining ownership groups—signaling pickleball’s pop-culture moment.

Technology enters the chat.

‍Electronic line-calling is slated to hit pro pickleball in the 2026 season via Owl AI, aiming for fairness with low-cost camera setups compared to tennis’ Hawk-Eye. 

Why fans love it.

‍Long rallies, quick scoring, and close-quarters drama keep matches bingeable. The NVZ creates chess-match exchanges that feel unique to the sport.

What’s next.

‍Standardized rankings, deeper analytics, and tech-aided officiating should make broadcasts more intuitive. Expect more collegiate play, junior pipelines, and global expansion.

How CeCe helps clubs ride the wave.

‍If you’re hosting watch parties, clinics, or mini-leagues inspired by the pro scene, CeCe (Autopilot’s autonomous court-cleaning robot) keeps courts tournament-ready with scheduled sweep-scrub-vacuum passes—freeing staff to focus on programming and people.

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