Missouri Valley

U.S. tennis participation reaches record high; USTA Missouri Valley drives regional impact

Josh Sellmeyer | April 16, 2026

For the sixth consecutive year tennis participation increased in the United States, with the sport reaching a high-water mark of 27.3 million players in 2025. That represents a 54% jump from 2019, as nearly 10 million more people have picked up a racquet since then to play the world’s healthiest sport.

That’s according to data collected through the Physical Activity Council — which has tracked tennis participation since 2007 — and administered by Sports Marketing Surveys USA. The independent study also found participation increases among women, Black/African American players, Hispanic/Latino players, Asian/Pacific Islander players and first-time competitors.

The USTA Missouri Valley continues to contribute to the USTA’s 35 by ’35 goal, which aims to make America the No. 1 tennis-playing nation by population in the world with 35 million tennis players by 2035.

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A total of 1.14 million people ages 6+ played tennis in the USTA Missouri Valley last year. About 204,000 of those individuals tried the sport for the first time, a 21% increase from the year prior.

Compared to five years ago, the total number of tennis players in the USTA Missouri Valley has surged 19.3%, play occasions have risen 42.2% and the number of core players — those who play 10+ times per year — has increased 18.8%.

The section’s overall player count is roughly 40% higher than pre-COVID levels. One of every 15 people in the section plays tennis.

“Tennis is experiencing an unprecedented surge over the last six years, reaching new heights in player numbers across the nation and in the USTA Missouri Valley,” said Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director.

Growth by the Numbers

Total U.S. tennis participation in 2025 climbed by 1.4 million from the year prior, with 20.7 million players retained (a five-year high) and 4.9 million trying tennis for the first time (a 9% year-over-year uptick). Nearly 9% of the U.S. population aged 6+ now plays tennis.

Total play occasions rose to 616 million, a 7% bump from 2024. Core players are responsible for 93% of those play occurrences, with a record 14.5 million people designated as core competitors. There were 480,000 core players in the USTA Missouri Valley. Core players comprise 42% of the tennis-playing population in the section.

Adults aged 35+ drove nearly 95% of the nationwide growth, while youth participation (ages 6-17) ballooned by 200,000 players.

Growth has likewise been driven by diverse communities. The Black/African American segment added 450,000 players, a 14% boost from 2024.

The Hispanic/Latino segment grew by 550,000 players (a 12% increase), and the Asian/Pacific Islander segment jumped by 260,000 players (a 10% increase).

All three groups had a higher percentage of growth than the overall increase.

About 1.1 million more women took to the court in 2025 compared to the previous year, a 10% year-over-year hike.

The seniors segment (65+) saw a 14% elevation with nearly 300,000 more tennis participants.

A total of 25.4 million non-players notated they are "very interested" in trying tennis, and about 872,000 of those prospects live in the USTA Missouri Valley, suggesting demand for tennis is strong.

Section Snapshot

The USTA Missouri Valley tennis-player breakdown is 59% male and 41% female, as section players tend to skew slightly younger and less affluent than the national player profile. The Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander tennis segments over-indexed in the section, meaning those groups have a higher-than-average engagement in tennis.

Public parks continue as the top destination to play the sport, with 39% of U.S. players and 49% of USTA Missouri Valley players primarily getting in their tennis at public parks.

In the section, 13% of play takes place at schools/colleges, 12% is at recreation centers and 8% is at private clubs. Other play occurs at country clubs (5%), private residences (4%) and apartments/condos (4%).

The opportunity for ongoing nationwide growth remains high, as 25.4 million non-players responded to the survey stating they are ‘very interested’ in trying tennis.

About 872,000 of those very interested prospects live in the USTA Missouri Valley — a 63,000 increase from 2024 — suggesting demand for tennis is strong in the section.

“The USTA Missouri Valley tennis landscape is transforming through diverse growth, player play occasions and retention as well as broad engagement from multiple demographics,” Buschmann said.

“That sets the stage for high growth potential within the USTA Missouri Valley.”

Read more about the nationwide PAC study results here. To get involved in playing tennis within the USTA Missouri Valley, click here.

Public parks continue as the No. 1 place to play the sport. About 39% of U.S. players and 49% of USTA Missouri Valley players primarily get in their tennis at public parks.

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