The presence of America’s fastest-growing sport is being felt in Virginia through the development of new courts and the hosting of professional tournaments, suggesting the increasing popularity of pickleball in the state. The sport’s accessibility and socialization are important elements that make pickleball so cherished and highly valued throughout America’s cities, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Americans quickly swarming courts to work out and reunite with friends.
Since then, the sport’s competition has extensively grown into the appeal that it is today.
But which American cities can claim the crown as the most pickleball-loving place?
BetVirginia.com - the state’s online source for Virginia sports betting - utilized Trust for Public Land’s 2022 City Park Facts data on parks in the nation’s 100 largest cities. We then utilized the number of pickleball courts per 20,000 residents to determine the most pickleball-loving cities across the U.S.
Top Pickleball-Loving States In US
Pickleball Fever in Chesapeake
Averaging the sixth most courts per every 20,000 residents, tied with Madison, Wisconsin, the pickleball fever in Virginia’s second-largest city is well and alive. In a city that consists of 251,200 people, according to the United States Census Bureau in 2021, that means there are at least 27 pickleball courts to serve the community of Chesapeake.
As pickleball continues to be promoted and televised on a larger scale, Virginia has established professional tournaments, like the annual Virginia Pickleball Classic in Virginia Beach, which was formed five years ago and currently offers $100,000 in prize money. Keep tabs here with BetVirginia for when that event garners action across Virginia betting apps.
The city’s official website lists 14 outdoor pickleball courts, ranging from public parks, community centers, and high schools. It also lists 21 indoor courts, all in community centers. Chesapeake can be considered the hub for pickleball in Virginia, becoming the destination for enthusiasts to compete in tournaments and professional events as more pickleball courts continue to emerge.
The friendly community that Chesapeake has combined with the all-year-round beautiful weather makes it easy to understand why pickleball is quickly becoming part of the city’s image and culture.
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