The Pickleball Boom: Liability Coverage for the Fastest-Growing Sport in America

Pickleball participation has grown 39% over the past two years. Nearly 4.8 million Americans are now playing, according to USA Pickleball. Facilities of every type — dedicated clubs, YMCAs, recreation centers, tennis clubs converting courts — are rushing to meet demand.

The revenue opportunity is real. But so is the liability exposure, and it’s more significant than the casual nature of the sport might suggest.

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Don’t let the wiffle ball fool you

Pickleball injuries are sending people to the emergency room at an accelerating rate. The most common injuries tell the story.

Ankle sprains and fractures. Quick lateral movements on a hard court surface. Particularly common among older players with reduced mobility and slower reaction times.

Rotator cuff injuries. Repetitive overhead motions — serves, overhead slams — take a toll on shoulders that may not have been asked to do this in years.

Achilles tendon strains and ruptures. Sudden starts and stops on hard surfaces. This is one of the more severe pickleball injuries, often requiring surgical repair and months of recovery.

Wrist fractures from falls. Players lunge for low shots, lose their balance, and instinctively extend their hands. On a hard court, that means broken wrists.

Eye injuries. The ball is small, hard, and moves fast at close range during doubles play. Direct hits to the face are not uncommon.

The demographic matters. Pickleball skews significantly older than most racquet sports. Many players are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. That means injuries tend to be more serious, recovery takes longer, and medical costs are higher. All of which translates to larger claims.

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Where facility liability comes in

Court surface and condition

Outdoor courts exposed to weather can become slippery from rain, leaves, or morning dew. Indoor courts need proper flooring — concrete with appropriate coating is standard, but some facilities are converting gymnasium floors or other surfaces that aren’t designed for pickleball. Court condition is a premises liability issue, and it’s the first thing a plaintiff’s attorney will examine.

Spacing between courts

Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, and facilities often pack as many as possible into available space. Inadequate spacing between courts creates collision risk when players backpedal or move laterally. USA Pickleball recommends at least 10 feet between courts. If you’re below that, you’re creating risk.

Mixed-use conversions

Converting tennis courts, basketball courts, or gymnasium space for pickleball introduces layout and marking confusion. Overlapping lines, shared nets, and mixed traffic patterns all increase the chance of an incident. Clear, dedicated markings matter.

Equipment

If you provide paddles and balls for open play, you have a duty to maintain them. Cracked paddles, worn grips, and deteriorated balls should be replaced regularly. Equipment liability is a real and often overlooked exposure.

Instruction and clinics

If your facility offers pickleball lessons, your instructors need to be covered under your professional liability policy. An instructor who pushes a 65-year-old beginner too hard, or who fails to teach proper warm-up and movement technique, can expose your facility to a claim.

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Before you open those courts

Confirm your GL covers pickleball. Not every policy automatically covers every sport or activity. Call SFIC and confirm that pickleball is a covered activity at your facility. Don’t assume.

Review your limits. Adding a new sport increases your traffic and your exposure. More players on-site means more potential claims. Make sure your per-occurrence and aggregate limits reflect the increased volume.

Get proper waivers in place. Pickleball-specific waiver language should identify the risks inherent to the sport — falls, ball strikes, overexertion, and musculoskeletal injury. Generic gym waivers may not be specific enough.

Plan for events. If you’re hosting pickleball tournaments or leagues, these may require separate event coverage or increased limits. A tournament with 100 participants is a different risk profile than open play with 12.

Cover your instructors. If you offer lessons or clinics, make sure professional liability covers that activity specifically.

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The opportunity is real

Pickleball is not a fad. The growth trajectory, the demographics — high disposable income, time to play — and the social nature of the sport all point to sustained demand. Facilities that add well-designed pickleball programs are seeing strong returns.

Just make sure your insurance keeps pace with your court expansion.

Contact SFIC or call (800) 844-0536 to review your coverage before you stripe those courts.