When Was Pickleball Invented? Built-in 1965, Pickleball. Amazingly, over a single summer, the game was developed by a group of three fathers. It is a short boat journey from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum claim to have developed this sport. How popular it will grow in the next many decades was difficult to anticipate. It has become one of the favorite summer holiday locations for many people. He's in many aspects similar to other sports like tennis, but yet has his personality and is a unique game. Depending on your tastes, pickleball may be preferable to tennis.