In a staggering six-month period, pickleball enthusiasts at our online marketplace spent a whopping $20 million on related equipment.
Pickleball Booms in Vietnam: A Modern, Active Lifestyle Sport
Pickleball, a fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has experienced a significant surge in popularity in Vietnam during the first half of 2025. The growth can be attributed to several key factors, including rapid expansion of participation and infrastructure, explosive equipment sales, and the sport's association with a contemporary, active lifestyle.
New pickleball courts have been popping up across the country, clubs have been launching, and tournaments have been organised, including Vietnam's hosting of the inaugural PPA Tour Asia Vietnam Open. This surge in infrastructure has provided more opportunities for people to play and learn the sport.
The increase in equipment sales is equally impressive. Vietnamese consumers spent around USD 20 million on pickleball gear in the first six months of 2025, a 13-fold increase over the same period in 2024. About 2.4 million pickleball products were sold across major e-commerce platforms, indicating a rapidly expanding player base and growing enthusiasm for the sport.
Pickleball has evolved beyond just a sport, and is now associated with an active and modern lifestyle. The expanding customer base is a primary factor driving the impressive revenue growth. The sales growth is not primarily due to price increases, but rather an expanding customer base and association with a modern lifestyle.
The sport's growing and sustained appeal is indicated by the high sales of pickleball products. Sales of pickleball equipment in the first half of 2025 represent a nearly 13-fold increase from the same period last year. The full-year revenue of 2024 for pickleball equipment was VNĐ272 billion, while in the first quarter alone, pickleball-related items generated VNĐ229 billion in revenue. By the end of the first half of 2025, total sales of pickleball equipment reached nearly VNĐ511 billion.
The majority of buyers gravitated towards products priced below VNĐ1 million, with the VNĐ200,000-350,000 segment generating over VNĐ60 billion in sales. The price segment of VNĐ500,000-750,000 accounted for the largest share of sales, generating VNĐ75 billion. Best-selling items included pickleball paddles and training shoes.
The trend of investing in core gear indicates that more players are becoming serious about the sport. Sales of pickleball equipment on e-commerce platforms have skyrocketed, with significant sales on Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Tiki. The average selling price has not changed significantly compared to the previous year.
The success of Vietnamese players on the international stage has also played a role in spurring local interest. The strong performances of athletes like Trinh Linh Giang, who won gold at the Panas Malaysia Open, have helped raise the profile of pickleball. Additionally, the transition of tennis players to pickleball, attracted by greater career prospects and sponsorship deals, further fuels interest and growth.
In conclusion, the rapid rise of pickleball in Vietnam during early 2025 can be attributed to a synergy of infrastructure growth, consumer demand, international recognition, and lifestyle appeal. The sport's association with an active, modern lifestyle, combined with the success of Vietnamese players and the transition of tennis players to pickleball, has created a perfect storm for the sport's growth in Vietnam.
- AI could potentially analyze the trends in sports equipment sales, like the 13-fold increase in pickleball gear, and anticipate the growth of other active lifestyle sports, such as tennis.
- This surge in pickleball's popularity in Vietnam, a country traditionally known for war history, shows an intriguing shift towards modern lifestyle, including the rising interest in sports like tennis and AI-driven learning resources.
