The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) is introducing its 2025 Paddle Certification Rollout Plan to set new standards for professional paddle performance and fairness.

This plan outlines key dates and processes for paddle manufacturers, players, and event organizers to ensure compliance. 

Key Dates

October 1 - November 15, 2024: Manufacturers with USAP-Approved paddles can apply for UPA-A Provisional Status for $2,000, which will go towards the fee for 2025 UPA-A Certification. Applications submitted after November 15 will incur an additional $1,000 fee which will not go towards the 2025 fee. Five paddles per model/variant must be submitted. 

January 1, 2025: Testing for full 2025 UPA-A Certification begins. All paddles must have UPA-A Provisional or Interim Certification to be used in professional-level events (PPA and MLP) through March 31, 2025. 

March 31, 2025: UPA-A Interim Certification and Provisional Status ends. Only paddles with full 2025 UPA-A Certification will be allowed at UPA professional events after this date. 

April 1, 2025: Full UPA-A Certification will be required for all professional play. Testing Standards for Provisional Approval: 

Paddles with USAP Certification will undergo tests for spin and deflection. Spin limits are set below 2200 RPM, and Average Deflection Force must meet or exceed 42 lbs for Provisional Approval. Testing procedures can be found here. 

*Note: The Average Deflection Force will be 42 lbs for Provisional Approval, not the 46 lbs as seen on the Interim Certification documentation.

Ensuring Compliance and Fair Play

The rollout of the 2025 UPA-A Certification represents our commitment to maintaining fairness, quality, and integrity in the sport of pickleball. By establishing a transparent and rigorous certification process, including the process of destructive testing, the UPA-A seeks to level the playing field for athletes and encourage innovation in paddle technology that adheres to official standards, for the entire lifecycle of the paddle. 

“The 2025 certification process is vital to the continued growth of professional pickleball,” said Jason Aspes, UPA-A President. “We want to give manufacturers a clear roadmap for compliance while ensuring that players at the highest levels of the sport are competing with paddles that meet the highest standards for performance and fairness.” 

Paddle manufacturers are encouraged to begin their UPA-A Provisional Approval application process early to ensure they meet all requirements ahead of the November 15, 2024 deadline. Paddles submitted for UPA-A Provisional Approval after November 15, 2024 will be charged $3,000 per paddle, with $2,000 being applied to 2025 UPA-A Certification fees. The UPA-A will provide ongoing updates and resources to assist in this transition. 

UPA-A Certification Costs

For 2025, UPA-A Certification will cost a flat fee of $20,000 plus $5,000 for each model and $1,000 per variation. This cost covers expenses and salaries for the buildout of a state of the art laboratory, including top of the line machinery, engineering, research, and writing of SOPs. It will also cover the hard costs of testing paddles both in the lab environment and onsite at all PPA tournaments and MLP events in 2025. Destructive testing, a benchmark of our process will require significant time, engineering, and equipment, but ensures all paddles are held to the highest standards throughout their lifecycle. 

*Note: MLP/PPA will require a licensing fee for paddle brands competing at the professional level. 

For more information on the 2025 UPA-A Paddle Certification, including guidelines for provisional approval and full certification, please visit the UPA-A website.

Manufacturers are encouraged to register their emails to receive updates on UPA-A Certification updates when they are available.