Beginning in January 2026, USA Pickleball will implement Pickleball Instruments’ testing technology at USA Pickleball amateur tournaments to verify that paddles and other equipment meet approved performance and safety standards, something that has not been able to be accomplished in the past. This initiative further reinforces USA Pickleball’s commitment to competitive integrity, athlete safety and rules compliance as the sport continues its rapid nationwide growth.
“Player safety and competitive integrity are at the core of everything we do,” said Riley Burgess, Vice President of Compliance for USA Pickleball. “This partnership gives our team precise, field-ready tools to verify that equipment used in sanctioned competition meets USA Pickleball’s performance and safety standards, with a direct linkage to manufacturing requirements.”
Tournament competitors will benefit from increased confidence that equipment used in sanctioned play conforms to USA Pickleball standards. Clubs will gain the ability to identify when paddles have reached the end of their safe usage lifecycle, allowing them to respond more effectively to player safety concerns. Manufacturers will also benefit from enhanced protections against counterfeit and non-compliant products.
“We are very excited to be working with USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body of pickleball, to help ensure fair and safe play,” said Dan Roberts, engineer at Pickleball Instruments. “We’re proud to offer manufacturers, tournament directors and players access to equipment performance information that is truly unique to the sport of pickleball.”
This partnership marks a significant advancement in USA Pickleball’s broader equipment compliance strategy and underscores the organization’s leadership role in setting and enforcing standards that protect the integrity of the sport.
