Pickleball Fever Hits Paradise: ESPN Honolulu Open Set to Pack 33 Courts Indoors

Hawaii’s pickleball obsession reaches fever pitch with the inaugural Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open, featuring 33 indoor courts packed with action. The tournament reflects the sport’s explosive growth, with participation skyrocketing 85.7% in 2022 and another 51.8% in 2023. Beyond competition, the event offers free clinics and supports local charities like Hui Mahi’ai ‘Āina. Paradise’s biggest pickleball showdown hints at the islands’ emerging status as a major hub for this addictive sport.

Hawaii’s love affair with pickleball has reached fever pitch, and the numbers don’t lie. The inaugural Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open is about to transform the Hawaii Convention Center into a paradise of paddles, with 33 courts under one roof. Talk about going all-in on America’s fastest-growing sport.

This isn’t your grandparents’ game anymore. The average pickleball player is now 34.8 years in their life, and those hip millennials aged 25-34 make up a massive chunk of the 50 million players expected by 2025. Professional circuits have grown to include over 142 sanctioned tournaments in 2024. Who would’ve thought that a sport with such a silly name would become a billion-dollar phenomenon?

The tournament couldn’t come at a better time. Pickleball’s popularity has exploded with an 85.7% growth in 2022, followed by another 51.8% surge in 2023. Google searches for pickleball have skyrocketed 550% over five years. People aren’t just searching – they’re playing. Hard. The sport’s low-impact nature makes it accessible to players of all fitness levels.

Pickleball isn’t just trending – it’s taking over. With triple-digit growth and soaring interest, this paddle phenomenon is unstoppable.

The global market is following suit, projected to hit $3.8 billion by 2032. That’s a lot of paddles and pickleballs. With 60.5% male players and 39.5% female players, the gender gap is closing faster than a perfectly executed dink shot. Women are joining the sport at record rates, proving that pickleball fever knows no gender bounds.

The Honolulu Open isn’t just another tournament. It’s bringing free clinics, diverse player brackets, and the kind of community vibe that makes pickleball different from other sports. A portion of the proceeds will support Hui Mahi’ai ‘Āina in their mission to help the houseless. Sure, there’s prize money for the pros, but this event is about more than just competition.

Despite the explosive growth, finding a court can be harder than getting a reservation at Mama’s Fish House. The U.S. has over 10,320 pickleball courts, with a 55% location growth in 2024, but it’s still not enough. Players are practically arm-wrestling for court time.

Hawaii’s ready to show the world how paradise does pickleball. With the Convention Center’s transformation into a pickleball mecca, the islands are serving up something special. Game on, paradise style.