PPA Tour Australia announced Monday that starting in March, all Pro Division events will formally adopt UPA-A standards, aligning the Australian professional competition with the global benchmark used across the international PPA landscape.

This governance evolution ensures that professional athletes competing on the PPA Tour will now play the same way anywhere in the world, with consistent rules, equipment standards, and enforcement protocols across all sanctioned Pro events.

All paddles used in PPA Tour Australia Pro Divisions must be officially UPA-A certified.

In partnership with Pickleball Australia, PPA Tour Australia will roll out a structured paddle testing program throughout the 2026 season. This will be the first initiative of its kind in Australian professional pickleball.

The phased rollout will include:

- On-site paddle compliance checks at Pro events
- Education programs for athletes and manufacturers
- Transparent enforcement procedures
- Data-driven integrity monitoring

This initiative is designed not only to enforce compliance, but to elevate the professionalism and credibility of Australian Pro competition.

“Standards only matter when they’re grounded in real science and consistently enforced. PPA Tour Australia’s decision to adopt UPA-A paddle standards affirms a simple truth: professional pickleball deserves a level playing field, no matter the continent,” said UPA-A President, Jason Aspes. “This is how the sport builds credibility, protects competition, and grows the right way.”

The 2026 governance shift represents a significant milestone for professional pickleball in Australia. By aligning with UPA-A standards:

- Australian pros gain seamless international integration
- Equipment regulations are unified globally
- Competitive fairness is strengthened
- The sport’s long-term commercial credibility is reinforced

This move reflects PPA Tour Australia's commitment to building a professional ecosystem that matches the ambition, talent, and growth of Australian pickleball.