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Pickleball’s popularity fuels a nationwide clinic tour

For many seniors, it’s more than just a game

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
A pickleball paddle and four pickleballs: Photo by Brendan Sapp on Unsplash

Photo by Brendan Sapp on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • AARP study finds pickleball is a favorite among adults 50+, with 81% saying it’s a sport for all generations.
  • To promote active aging, AARP is launching a 20-city Pickleball Clinic Tour from August to October 2025.
  • The free clinics, starting August 11 in Chicago and Helena, aim to boost participation through beginner-friendly instruction and open play.

Pickleball isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a multigenerational phenomenon. For baby boomers who don’t cover a tennis court the way they once did, it’s a way to satisfy those competitive drives.

According to a new AARP study, 81% of adults 50 and older believe the sport is something people of all ages can enjoy together, and nearly four in ten say it has surged in popularity among their peers in the past two years.

With 91% of adults in this age group aware of pickleball but only 13% having tried it, AARP is hoping to close that gap with an ambitious national outreach effort.

AARP’s Pickleball Clinic Tour will hit 20 cities nationwide from August through October 2025, bringing free, beginner-friendly instruction and open play to local communities. The program is designed to encourage physical fitness, social engagement, and mental sharpness, benefits recognized by the majority of those familiar with the game, 78% of whom cite it as a great way to stay fit and 87% as a source of valuable exercise.

Tour kicked off in Chicago

The tour kicked off on August 11 with simultaneous events at the Kroc Center Chicago in Chicago, and Barney Park in Helena, Mont. From there, the clinics will travel coast-to-coast, culminating in dual finales on October 25 in Honolulu and San Juan.

Every location will offer an “Intro to Pickleball” clinic led by licensed instructors, followed by open play in a welcoming, inclusive setting. The format is tailored for complete beginners as well as more experienced players looking for casual competition.

Tour highlights

Stops along the way include the Remedy Pickleball Pub in Sioux Falls, S.D.; The Dink Zone in Woburn, Mass; Chicken N Pickle Kansas City in Overland Park, Kan; Kraken Kourts & Skates in Washington, DC; and Ace Pickleball Club in Tucson, Ariz, among others. The schedule spans urban centers, suburban communities, and even unique venues like malls and pubs—reflecting pickleball’s growing accessibility and popularity.

Here are the tour’s remaining dates:

  • Midland, MI
    • Aug. 13, 2025 — Greater Midland Tennis Center, 6–7:30PM
  • Sioux Falls, SD
    • Aug. 20, 2025 — Remedy Pickleball Pub, 5–8PM
  • Woburn, MA
    • Aug. 25, 2025 — The Dink Zone, 5–8PM
  • Vernon, CT
    • Aug. 26, 2025 — The Pickleball Place, 5–8PM
  • Cranston, RI
    • Aug. 27, 2025 — Pickleball Citi, 5–8PM
  • Highland Park, IL
    • Aug. 27, 2025 — Danny Cunniff Park, 6–7:30PM
  • Overland Park, KS
    • Sept. 8, 2025 — Chicken N Pickle Kansas City, 5–8PM
  • Lincoln, NE
    • Sept. 9, 2025 — Peterson Park, 5–8PM
  • Lexington, SC
    • Sept. 15, 2025 — 24 Hour Pickleball Club, 5–8PM
  • Newark, NJ
    • Sept. 19, 2025 — Montclair Pickleball, 5–8PM
  • Laurel, MD
    • Sept. 22, 2025 — Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex, 5–8PM
  • Honolulu, HI & San Juan, PR
    • Final stops in October, dates TBA