Pickleball started in the United States, but it is no longer just an American phenomenon.

Across Europe, new courts, clubs, tournaments and communities are appearing — and the Netherlands is very much part of that movement.

Why Pickleball Works So Well

Part of pickleball's appeal is accessibility.

The court is smaller than a tennis court, the basic technique can be learned relatively quickly and games can be competitive without requiring years of training.

That makes it attractive to beginners while still providing enormous tactical and technical depth for advanced players.

Organised Pickleball in Europe

The growth of the sport is becoming increasingly organised.

The European Pickleball Federation works with national organisations across Europe to support the development of the sport, competition, training and officiating.

The federation was created in 2023 and has grown to represent dozens of European countries.

European competition is developing too, with international tournaments bringing players from different countries together.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is particularly well suited to pickleball.

We already have a strong culture around tennis, padel and other racket sports, together with an extensive network of sports clubs.

Existing facilities can often introduce pickleball without building an entirely new sports complex.

You can see how widespread the game is becoming through the NL Pickleball list of locations.

A Different Kind of Racket Sport

Pickleball also feels different socially.

A game takes place in a relatively compact space. You're close to your partner and opponents, matches rotate quickly and social play is a major part of pickleball culture.

That creates communities remarkably fast.

TOCO67 and European Pickleball

TOCO67 was created in the Netherlands during this new European chapter of pickleball.

We love the American roots of the game, but we're equally excited about what pickleball can become here in Europe.

More players. More courts. More clubs.

And hopefully a lot more ridiculous rallies at the kitchen line.