It looks like a typo at first.

F-U-T-S-A-L. Futsal.

Perhaps the writer tried to type futbol but their cat ran across the keyboard as they were typing. Or maybe they meant foosball but couldn’t quite summon the correct name for that tabletop soccer game they used to play in their high school friend’s basement.

But futsal is no joke. It’s a dynamic, indoor soccer-based game played on a hardcourt similar to a basketball court, but smaller than a soccer pitch. Futsal features teams of five players, including a goalkeeper, with unlimited substitutions allowed. Unlike other indoor soccer variations, futsal is played without walls or boards, using a smaller, harder, and lower-bounce ball. This setup emphasizes ball control and passing in tight spaces, and it also showcases skills such as control, improvisation, creativity, and technique.

Derived from Portuguese and Spanish terms for “indoor football,” futsal was officially named in 1985 during the second world championships in Madrid. Following a dispute with FIFA over the name “fútbol,” the World Futsal Association registered “futsal,” which has since become the internationally accepted term. Soccer legends such as Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo are all said to have played futsal as youths.

So why is futsal suddenly gaining popularity in the U.S.?

Its easy setup, greater accessibility, and lower physical demands make it an invaluable tool for soccer coaches focused on player development. According to U.S. Futsal, there are 110,000 registered players of all ages in the U.S., with associations in all 50 states.

The rapid growth of futsal as a soccer skill development tool has led to Victus Advisors receiving numerous inquiries from planners and developers across the U.S. who are suddenly interested in building futsal facilities. In fact, Victus Advisors is currently conducting a market and financial feasibility study for a developer that is interested in building a futsal facility near Atlanta.

Meanwhile, pickleball is another sport making waves…

Pickleball is a paddle sport that shares some similarities with tennis, except the game is generally played on a hardcourt surface that is less than half the size of a standard tennis court. Players, whether in singles or doubles, hit a hollow plastic ball similar to a whiffleball. Pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors on various surface types, including hardwood and concrete.

Why is pickleball so popular?

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball’s appeal lies in its ease of play, minimal equipment requirements, and social nature. It’s a casual activity where friends can converse while playing, and it offers quality exercise with low impact, making it accessible to older players.

Pickleball participation in the U.S. nearly tripled from 3.1 million participants in 2017 to almost 9 million participants in 2022. Pickleball experienced the largest participation growth among all American sports since 2019, partly because it was one of the few sports that could be practiced safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facility trends for pickleball are also on the rise. USA Pickleball is exploring a certification process for pickleball facilities to host sanctioned events, and the overall demand for dedicated pickleball courts has grown, with about 60% of recent projects being new facilities rather than conversions of existing spaces. Pickleball courts are becoming a popular amenity in luxury residential developments, even replacing traditional golf courses in some cases.

Innovative venues like Chicken N Pickle, which combines pickleball courts with a casual bar and grill concept, are also emerging. With locations in states such as Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada, these “eatertainment” concepts appeal to individuals, families, and corporations.

Victus Advisors is actively working with clients on developing new pickleball facilities for both competitive and recreational use. We are currently engaged in Park City, Utah, on a public-private partnership project for an indoor pickleball facility, and we recently completed a market feasibility study in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a private pickleball club.

Both futsal and pickleball are rapidly rising sports that are capturing the attention of planners, developers, and enthusiasts nationwide, and Victus Advisors is excited to be at the forefront of this trend.