Pickleball has gone from a casual pastime to a full-blown phenomenon. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, player numbers have exploded from 3.5 million in 2019 to an estimated 22 million in 2025.
It’s fast, fun, and draws players across every age group, but its rapid rise also fuels an unexpected trend: a sharp increase in injuries and related medical costs. For sports clubs, school leagues, and community organizations offering pickleball, this growing risk makes Participant Accident Insurance more important than ever.
The Boom in Pickleball Injuries
While often billed as a low-impact sport, pickleball’s fast footwork, quick changes in direction, and repetitive movements have proven hard on players, especially older individuals. UBS analysts estimate that pickleball injuries may cost Americans $377 million in healthcare costs this year alone.
That’s a staggering number, and one that reflects the volume and severity of injuries now happening on courts nationwide:
- Sprains, strains, and fractures account for roughly 60% of pickleball injuries.
- The majority of injuries involve lower legs, wrists, and shoulders, with falls being the leading cause of fractures.
- Seniors face particular risks: players over 60 account for 86% of ER visits related to pickleball.
What’s driving this trend? It’s a mix of factors. The sport’s accessibility and sudden popularity draw many first-time or older players who may not have conditioned for quick bursts of motion. Hard court surfaces increase the likelihood of serious injury resulting from a fall. And as competition grows more intense, so do the movements required to win.
Participant Accident Insurance: A Coverage Gap You Can’t Ignore
For clubs, leagues, and schools that offer pickleball, the potential exposure is clear. Injuries can happen in even well-run programs, and when they do, participants (or their families) often look to the organization to help cover medical expenses.
Here’s where Participant Accident Insurance plays a crucial role:
- It provides secondary coverage for medical expenses, stepping in after a participant’s primary health insurance.
- It can cover common costs like ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications, which are frequently needed in pickleball injury cases.
- It can help reduce the likelihood of lawsuits, since injured players may be less likely to pursue legal action when medical costs are covered through the policy.
Without this protection, your clients could face lawsuits, out-of-pocket financial exposure, reputational damage, and strained relationships with participants and their families.
Don’t Let Your Program Be Caught Off Guard
As pickleball continues its meteoric rise as a cultural phenomenon, injuries will remain part of the game. For any organization offering this popular sport, Participant Accident Insurance is no longer a nice-to-have option. It’s a smart safeguard against a growing risk that could significantly impact the success of the organization.
Contact MiniCo today to learn how our sports club insurance and school insurance solutions—including Participant Accident Insurance—can help protect your clients, their organizations, and the players.
