Across the U.S., student-run pickleball clubs are building real communities, logging thousands of matches, and setting a new standard for competitive college play. Using data from DUPR, we took a deep dive into the numbers to see which programs are leading the way.

Below, we break down the Top 10 College Pickleball Clubs across four key categories:

• Total members
• Matches played
• Reliable players
• States producing the most college clubs

Top 10 College Pickleball Clubs by Total Members

Membership size matters: it reflects recruitment, visibility on campus, and consistent engagement.

Leaders in Membership

1. University of Virginia: 505 members
2. University of Florida: 490 members
3. Virginia Tech: 347 members
4. Purdue University: 334 members
5. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater: 299 members
6. Indiana University: 254 members
7. Case Western Reserve University: 191 members
8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:181 members
9. Duke University: 180 members

These programs operate as structured student organizations, not just teams. UVA and Florida lead the way, each nearing or exceeding 500 members, reflecting pickleball’s growing presence on campus.

Top 10 College Clubs by Matches Played

Membership is one thing but matches played show commitment.

Top Clubs by Match Volume

1. Virginia Tech: 600 matches logged
2. University of Iowa: 392 matches logged
3. Purdue University: 379 matches logged
4. University of North Alabama: 249 matches logged
5. North Carolina State University: 239 matches logged
6. University of Florida: 235 matches logged
7. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: 216 matches logged
8. Florida State University: 194 matches logged
9. University of Tennessee–Chattanooga: 190 matches logged
10. University of Alabama: 183 matches logged

Virginia Tech clearly leads the charge here, logging 600 recorded matches, an incredible sign of weekly play, structured events, and competitive depth.

Top 10 College Clubs by Reliable Members

Reliability scores are a big deal in pickleball. They indicate how much you can trust a player’s rating, and a reliability score above 60 is generally considered strong. The clubs highlighted here stand out because their players consistently record results, forming the backbone of fair, accurate competition.

Most Reliable College Programs

1. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater: 111 players
2. University of Florida: 92 players
3. University of Virginia: 88 players
4. University of Alabama: 82 players
5. Kennesaw State University: 67 players
6. Virginia Tech: 66 players
7. George Mason University: 52 players(T7) 
8. University of North Alabama: 52 players (T7)
9. University of Tennessee–Chattanooga: 51players
10. Penn State University: 48 players

Wisconsin–Whitewater takes the top spot here, proving that quality participation can matter just as much as size.

Top States by Number of College Pickleball Clubs

Some states are emerging as leaders in collegiate pickleball.

College Pickleball Power States

1. Florida: 16  college pickleball clubs (T1
2. Texas: 16 college pickleball clubs (T1)
3. California: 16 college pickleball clubs (T1)
4. Virginia: 13 college pickleball clubs 
5. North Carolina: 12 college pickleball clubs 
6. Georgia: 10 college pickleball clubs 
7. Michigan: 9 college pickleball clubs 
8. Illinois: 8 college pickleball clubs  (T8) 
9. Indiana: 8 college pickleball clubs (T8)
10. Pennsylvania: 8 college pickleball clubs (T8)
11. South Carolina: 8 college pickleball clubs (T8)

Florida, Texas, and California are tied at the top; no surprise given year-round play, strong rec sports culture, and access to facilities.

What This Means for the Future of College Pickleball

These DUPR rankings tell a bigger story:

• College pickleball is no longer casual-only; it’s organized, competitive, and data-driven
• The strongest programs balance size, activity, and reliability
• Schools investing in structure (leagues, ladders, tournaments) are pulling ahead fast

As the College Pickleball Tour continues to grow, expect these programs to set the standard, and new schools to rise quickly by following their blueprint.

Interested in starting a college pickleball club at your school? Here’s how to get started