Axios

The pickleball craze — so hot in the pandemic and immediately afterwards — may be cooling off. Don't tell that to Atlanta players, however.

Why it matters: America's one-time fastest-growing sport is also possibly one of the most polarizing.

Major League Baseball may be heading toward a work stoppage in 2027, as owners and players remain far apart on their next labor contract.

The big picture: This impasse is being driven by the recent surge in pro sports dealmaking.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada — the first time in 32 years the U.S. will serve as a host nation.

Why it matters: More Americans are tuning into soccer ahead of the sport's most prestigious tournament, and youth soccer clubs hope the tournament spurs a rise in participation.

The pickleball craze — which saw widespread rapid growth in the pandemic and immediately afterwards — may be cooling off.

The big picture: The number of pickleball courts across the 100 most populous U.S. cities increased just 4% from 2025 to 2026. That's compared to 13% growth in 2025, and 14% in 2024.