US tennis participation hits record high for sixth year running

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) reported on February 18 that 27.3 million Americans played tennis at least once in 2025 – a gain of 1.6 million players, or 6 percent, over the previous year. The total marks a sixth straight year of growth and a cumulative 54 percent expansion since 2019, when the sport counted 17.7 million participants.

The findings come from the 2026 US Tennis Participation Report, which synthesizes data from two annual studies – the Physical Activity Council (PAC) Study on Sports and Physical Activity and the USTA’s PLAY Study – each surveying 18,000 Americans aged 6 and older.

A sport that plays more, not just more often

What distinguishes the 2025 results from earlier post-pandemic rebounds is the depth of engagement alongside headline growth. Core players – those logging 10 or more sessions per year – reached a record 14.5 million, up 11 percent year on year, and now account for 53 percent of the total player base. That cohort collectively generated 616 million play occasions over the year, a 7 percent increase and the seventh consecutive annual rise in that metric.

Player retention also strengthened: 80.4 percent of those who played in 2024 remained active in 2025, the highest retention rate in five years. At the same time, 4.9 million Americans picked up a racquet for the first time – another record, and the fifth straight year in which first-time participants exceeded 4 million. Beginners now represent 18 percent of the total player base, up from around 11 to 12 percent in pre-pandemic years.

Women and older adults drive expansion

The gains cut across demographics. Female participation rose by 1.1 million players – a 10 percent increase year on year – accounting for the majority of growth.

Adults aged 35 and above contributed nearly 95 percent of net new players, adding approximately 1.5 million participants and setting records across every age bracket in that cohort. Youth participation (ages 6–17) also edged upward, adding roughly 200,000 players, though it remains below the peak recorded in 2021.

Racquet sports: a growing landscape

Tennis leads a broader racquet sports expansion in the US. Pickleball grew to 24.3 million participants in 2025 from 4.2 million in 2020, and 1.1 million Americans played padel in 2025 – the first year the sport was tracked as a separate category. Badminton reached 6.8 million players and table tennis 15.9 million. The data suggest that racquet sports overall are gaining share of recreational time, rather than cannibalizing each other, though competitive dynamics at the retail and facility level remain worth monitoring.

35 million by 2035: commercial implications

The USTA disclosed a long-term target of 35 million tennis players by 2035. Reaching that figure from the current base would require average annual growth of around 2.5 percent – modest compared to the 4.8 percent compound annual growth rate recorded over the past five years. USTA Chairman of the Board and Interim Co-CEO Brian Vahaly framed the goal in terms of access: “Our goal is to expand access so more people across this country can play the world’s healthiest sport and experience the physical, mental and social benefits it has to offer.”

For sporting goods brands and retailers, the participation data points to sustained structural demand in the tennis category. The record number of core players and play occasions means continuing equipment replacement cycles, whilst the influx of first-time players – nearly 5 million in a single year – represents ongoing entry-level racquet and footwear demand. Female and multicultural growth segments present commercial opportunities that several major brands have begun addressing through dedicated product lines and community-focused marketing.