As racquet sports surge nationwide, the PGA Show steps forward with expanded courts, new education and hands-on experiences built for clubs, brands and pros.
Racquet sports aren’t just having a moment — they’re rewriting the playbook for participation, retention and member engagement across the fitness and club industries.
Tennis participation in the U.S. has surged 33% since 2020, now topping 23.6 million players. Pickleball has exploded by 59% in three years, reaching nearly nine million participants and attracting investors like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kim Clijsters and Kevin Love. And padel, the world’s fastest-growing sport with 25 million global players, is rapidly emerging across the U.S. with courts rising from Miami to Manhattan.
The demand is unmistakable: people want social movement, approachable athleticism and experiences that help them stay active and connected. For clubs, coaches, retailers and brands, that demand represents one thing above all — opportunity.
And no organization is leaning into that opportunity quite like the PGA Show, which will debut its new and ambitious Racquet Sports at the PGA Show, at the 2026 event in Orlando. What began as a small footprint in 2019 has evolved into a full-scale ecosystem — one the Show is positioning as a critical engine for industry growth.
“This is the biggest year we’ve ever had for racquet sports,” says Nick Mastro, Event Manager for the PGA Show. “The consumer demand is massive. Clubs are looking to attract new demographics, maximize revenue streams and retain more members. Racquet sports are delivering on all of that.”
The momentum didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a multi-year effort to listen to the market, collaborate with associations and build a home for one of the fastest-rising sectors in sports. Mastro says 2026 marks an intentional inflection point.
“Over the past year we’ve met extensively with and strengthened our partnerships with groups like the RSPA, the Directors Club of America, PTR and USTA, as well as influential media partners including RADL Wire and Athletech News,” he says. “The goal has been to understand the racquet landscape from every angle and ensure the PGA Show is prepared to support it at the highest level.”
And that commitment is now coming to life on the show floor.
Inside Racquet Sports at the PGA Show
The new Racquet Sports at the PGA Show will feature a dramatically expanded footprint, including over 60 exhibiting brands plus two pickleball courts and a full padel court — a first for the Show. Live demos, coaching clinics, and athlete-driven sessions will run throughout the week, turning the floor into what Mastro calls “an active laboratory for the future of industry.”
“Performance is everything in racquet sports,” he says. “You have to feel the product. You have to hit, move, interact with professionals. Those moments build trust, and trust builds partnerships. That’s what the PGA Show is designed for.”
The Show is also elevating the educational dimension of the area. For the first time, attendees can earn association credits through racquet-specific learning sessions, an addition Mastro describes as “critical for long-term growth.”
“Education drives opportunity,” he says. “We felt it was essential to create a dedicated space for racquet-focused learning so clubs, coaches and decision-makers can walk away with actionable insights.”
New experiences will anchor the area as well — including the first-ever Celebrity Pickleball Pro-Am, hosted by pickleball influencer and “coach to the stars” Matt Manasse. NFL and MLB players, actors and other public figures are already confirmed.
“We want people talking about this event all year,” Mastro says. “It’s fun, it’s accessible, and it brings incredible energy onto the show floor. It’s free for anyone with a PGA Show badge. It’s going to be unforgettable.”
The experiential focus is no accident. The PGA Show has long been built around one principle: you can’t replace hands-on connection.
“We are driven by in-person interaction,” Mastro says. “Seeing, feeling, touching, testing — those are the experiences that lead to real partnerships. That’s why brands choose to launch products here. That’s why decision-makers show up.”
Where Racquet Sports Meet Performance, Wellness and Longevity
And that includes decision-makers outside golf. As tennis, pickleball and padel continue to gain traction, the overlap between golf clubs and racquet sports has become strikingly clear. Many facilities are expanding to meet demand — not only to attract new members but also to keep their existing base engaged with year-round activity. Racquet sports aren’t simply “add-on amenities” anymore; they’re core to retention strategies and new revenue streams.
What’s more, the PGA Show is uniquely positioned to bridge the worlds of golf and racquet sports through performance, recovery, wellness and longevity — categories that matter deeply to athletes of every age and discipline.
“Today’s athletes aren’t just thinking about the sport they play,” Mastro explains. “They’re thinking about everything around it — strength, mobility, recovery, mental health. We’re integrating fitness and wellness education, led by trusted partners TPI, GFAA and FIBO, across both golf and racquet sports because we know it’s part of the full athlete lifestyle now.”
That integration is only expected to grow. Mastro describes 2026 as a “major turning point,” part of a three-to-five-year vision — one in which racquet sports could eventually stand alongside golf as its own major show within the ecosystem.
“We see so much potential,” he says. “Pickleball and Padel are exploding. Tennis continues to rise. Clubs need support. Manufacturers need visibility. Coaches need education. The PGA Show is the platform that brings all of these pieces together.”
Asked what message he most wants brands and attendees to hear heading into January, Mastro doesn’t hesitate:
“2026 is the biggest year yet. If you’re in racquet sports — or looking to enter — this is where you need to be. It’s the most interactive, dynamic, opportunity-rich version of the Show we’ve ever built. The energy, the demos, the networking, the global audience — it’s all here.”
In a sports landscape where participation trends evolve faster than ever, racquet sports have done more than keep pace — they’ve become a cultural force. And now, with Racquet Sports at the PGA Show stepping forward as a unifying hub for the industry, 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for growth, innovation and connection.
For clubs, brands, coaches, buyers and decision-makers, the message is clear: the next wave of racquet sports is here — and the PGA Show is where you catch it.
