4.5 Million: The annual surge in new pickleball players drives new app launch

Pickleball is adding 4.5 million new players to its ranks every year in the United States. This rapid growth has created a large pool of interested spectators who want to join the game but lack basic knowledge. A new mobile application aims to bridge that gap for these newcomers.

PlayerU Software Solutions LLC, operating as PlayerU.ai, recently launched its mobile app. The company is based in Coral Gables. The app is currently available for free download on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. It is designed to guide users from beginner status to advanced skill levels.

The core of the application consists of guided video lessons. These videos feature Kyle Yates, a seven-time US Open Champion and member of the Hall of Fame. Rene Prats, co-founder of PlayerU, stated that having Yates as the video coach makes the app a key element for getting more people involved in the sport. Prats noted that many people are interested in pickleball but do not know where to begin, and the instructional videos solve that problem.

Prats brings 40 years of business experience in the hospitality industry to the project. He has held executive roles at Tony Roma’s, Luther’s BBQ, and Papa Johns Pizza. He is also a co-founder of Diadem Pickleball Complexes, which operates one of the sport’s leading indoor facilities. Diadem built the first indoor pickleball facility in Florida and is on pace to add another 13 locations in the state. Earlier this year, the Court Reserve World Pickleball Conference honored Prats with the DUPR 2026 Golden Pickle Business Award.

Edwin Rivera, the other co-founder of PlayerU, described the growth of the sport as off the charts. Rivera is a tech entrepreneur who specializes in helping startups commercialize their innovations. He explained that millions of people watch friends play pickleball but are unsure how to start. The team built the app specifically for these observers.

The initial launch of the PlayerU app includes a feature called PlayerULogic. This is a pickleball-specific artificial intelligence trained on the game’s rules, strategies, and skills progressions. PlayerULogic answers players’ questions in real time. It is described as a first-of-its-kind guided video instruction system for the sport.

The development of the app reflects the current trajectory of pickleball in the United States. With the sport being the fastest-growing in the country, tools that lower the barrier to entry are seeing increased demand. The combination of expert video instruction and real-time AI support addresses common hurdles for new players.

Those seeking more information about the application can contact Rivera at 786-355-9543. The app is ready for immediate use by anyone looking to pick up a paddle.