A Trend Analysis on Pickleball using Social Big Data

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze the dissemination process and public perception of pickleball by using social big data. Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport with simple rules and low economic barriers, and social media has played a crucial role in raising its awareness. Research design, data, and methodology: Applying text mining and sentiment analysis, key terms such as ‘tennis’, ‘badminton’, ‘tournament’, and ‘Seoul’ were frequently mentioned while the lack of pickleball specific courts and noise were identified as major obstacles to its expansion. Results: Sentiment analyses indicated that more than 80% of public perceptions toward pickleball were positive. While pickleball has economic advantages due to its ability to utilize existing sport infrastructure, a lack of professional instructors and structured training programs was highlighted as a challenge. Conclusions: Based on these findings, it was suggested that policy support including infrastructure expansion, professional instructor training, and the establishment of systematic education programs is essential for the sustainable growth of pickleball. Furthermore, promoting community-based club activities and organizing tournaments are expected to be an effective strategy for expanding its popular foundation. Additionally, the utilization of social big data analysis is proposed as a valuable tool to develop sport policies and marketing strategies. This study academically justifies pickleball’s role as a medium for promoting health and social interaction, contributing to the potential growth of the sport industry.