Tennis Participation Hits All-Time High in The United States with Impressive Growth over the Last Six Years
In an exciting development for the sport, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced a significant uptick in tennis participation within the United States. The latest statistics reveal that there are now 27.3 million players actively participating in tennis, marking an increase of 1.6 million from the previous year. This surge represents a remarkable growth of 54% since 2019.
The numbers are driven by various factors, particularly the increasing number of occasions people are playing. The report indicates that 14.5 million of these participants are 'core players,' meaning they play at least ten times a year. Approximately 20.7 million players were retained in the sport in 2025, showcasing a healthily growing community attracted to tennis.
Women and people from diverse backgrounds have played a pivotal role in this growth trend. Over the past year, more than 1.1 million women took to the courts, which is a 10% increase compared to 2024. Furthermore, there has been significant participation growth among specific ethnic groups: the number of Black/African American players surged by over 450,000, while Hispanic/Latino players increased by 550,000, and Asian/Pacific Islander players saw an uplift of more than 260,000.
The year also saw a promising rise in new players, with 4.9 million individuals picking up a racquet for the first time, indicating a 9% increase in newcomers to the sport. Furthermore, with more than 25 million respondents indicating a strong interest in taking up tennis, the potential for sustained future growth appears promising.
"This sustained growth reflects a strong demand for our sport across a diverse range of communities nationwide," stated Brian Vahaly, USTA's Chairman of the Board and Interim Co-CEO. "As we strive toward our ambitious goal of 35 million players by 2035, we are committed to investing strategically to maintain this momentum into the future. Our primary aim is to make tennis accessible to everyone, allowing more individuals to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits that our sport has to offer."
The total number of play occasions in 2025 surpassed 616 million, illustrating not only increased participation but also a deepening engagement with the sport. The trend of returning players is also positive, as 1.7 million athletes returned to tennis after taking a break of over a year, further showcasing the sport's appeal.
As tennis participation in the U.S. continues on this upward trajectory, the USTA's focus on maintaining growth while ensuring inclusivity showcases a commitment to enriching the tennis community for all. With significant ongoing investment and outreach, the future looks bright for the sport, and the upcoming years will be crucial in cultivating a robust and diverse tennis environment. The complete 2026 U.S. Tennis Participation Report underlines these findings and provides further insight into the changing dynamics of the sport, aiding the USTA in its mission to foster a more inclusive tennis community.
For detailed findings and additional information, you can follow the official USTA communications channels or explore the USTA website.
The numbers are driven by various factors, particularly the increasing number of occasions people are playing. The report indicates that 14.5 million of these participants are 'core players,' meaning they play at least ten times a year. Approximately 20.7 million players were retained in the sport in 2025, showcasing a healthily growing community attracted to tennis.
Women and people from diverse backgrounds have played a pivotal role in this growth trend. Over the past year, more than 1.1 million women took to the courts, which is a 10% increase compared to 2024. Furthermore, there has been significant participation growth among specific ethnic groups: the number of Black/African American players surged by over 450,000, while Hispanic/Latino players increased by 550,000, and Asian/Pacific Islander players saw an uplift of more than 260,000.
The year also saw a promising rise in new players, with 4.9 million individuals picking up a racquet for the first time, indicating a 9% increase in newcomers to the sport. Furthermore, with more than 25 million respondents indicating a strong interest in taking up tennis, the potential for sustained future growth appears promising.
"This sustained growth reflects a strong demand for our sport across a diverse range of communities nationwide," stated Brian Vahaly, USTA's Chairman of the Board and Interim Co-CEO. "As we strive toward our ambitious goal of 35 million players by 2035, we are committed to investing strategically to maintain this momentum into the future. Our primary aim is to make tennis accessible to everyone, allowing more individuals to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits that our sport has to offer."
The total number of play occasions in 2025 surpassed 616 million, illustrating not only increased participation but also a deepening engagement with the sport. The trend of returning players is also positive, as 1.7 million athletes returned to tennis after taking a break of over a year, further showcasing the sport's appeal.
As tennis participation in the U.S. continues on this upward trajectory, the USTA's focus on maintaining growth while ensuring inclusivity showcases a commitment to enriching the tennis community for all. With significant ongoing investment and outreach, the future looks bright for the sport, and the upcoming years will be crucial in cultivating a robust and diverse tennis environment. The complete 2026 U.S. Tennis Participation Report underlines these findings and provides further insight into the changing dynamics of the sport, aiding the USTA in its mission to foster a more inclusive tennis community.
For detailed findings and additional information, you can follow the official USTA communications channels or explore the USTA website.
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