Arizona is making a bold play to become the pickleball capital of the world. With the sport's popularity skyrocketing across the state, advocates like Scottsdale resident Missy Lagomarsino are pushing lawmakers to name pickleball Arizona's official sport. "The biggest indoor pickleball facility in the world is being constructed in Scottsdale right now because there are so many players coming here," says Lagomarsino, a dedicated player and ambassador for USA Pickleball. "Many of our national tournaments are held in Arizona, so the state has a lot going on with pickleball."
While racket sports have been around for centuries—tennis dates back to the 12th century, and badminton and table tennis have been Olympic staples for over 30 years—pickleball has captured the hearts of Arizonans in the 2020s like no other. This fast-growing sport, often described as a blend of tennis and table tennis, is played with plastic balls and paddles on a compact 20-by-44-foot court. Since 2020, American participation has exploded to 24.3 million players—a surge of 20 million in just five years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
The growth is tangible across Arizona. Cities like Goodyear and Surprise boast 6.45 and 5.90 courts per 10,000 people, ranking second and third nationally among cities with populations over 100,000, as reported by Pickleball Magazine. Lagomarsino, who describes herself as "a grandma" who never played sports in high school, found her passion in pickleball. "I started playing and I was hooked. I play every single day," she shares. "I love the sport, and I want to share it with everybody."
Lagomarsino also helped launch an initiative with the Arizona Senate. On January 29, Senator Frank Carroll introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 1021 (SCR 1021) to designate pickleball as the official state sport of Arizona. While the resolution has been tabled until next year, the momentum is undeniable. Whether you're a seasoned player or a curious newcomer, Arizona's pickleball scene offers the perfect opportunity to grab your paddle, hit the court, and join the fastest-growing sport in America.