Governance
RuleBook
When standards are defined and applied consistently, the outcome of a competition is determined by skill, preparation, and decision-making. Fairness is not accidental. It is built.
This Rulebook represents that foundation.
UPA-A Referee
Welcome to the UPA-A Referee Portal, your central hub for all things related to officiating in the professional pickleball community. This portal allows referees to manage schedules, receive game assignments, track their progress, and stay informed about the latest league updates and resources. Whether you’re an experienced referee or just starting your journey, the UPA-A Referee Portal is designed to make your officiating experience seamless and efficient.
Education
Our Education/Certification programs include Referee Training and Certification, Tournament Director Certification, and Teaching Professional Certification. These programs are provided through partnerships with RPPK, PPR, RPO, and other organizations, all of which are UPA-A certified. These partnerships ensure that the programs offer comprehensive education and learning opportunities, equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge for refereeing, directing tournaments, and teaching pickleball responsibly at all levels.
Tournament Sanctioning
By choosing UPA-A for tournament sanctioning, you ensure a professionally organized event that adheres to the highest standards of competition and participant satisfaction. The UPA-A Sanctioning Guidelines guarantee every aspect of your tournament is carefully considered and prepared for, setting the stage for a memorable and successful event.
Full sanctioning can be found here.
Video Assist & Line Calling Technology
UPA-A partners with leading video assist and line calling technologies to bring greater accuracy and confidence to the sport.
Owl AI is currently in use on Championship Court at MLP and employs six high-speed cameras aimed directly down the sidelines and baselines of the court. AI processing triangulates the ball’s precise contact point on the court, providing officials with an animated graphic to determine whether a ball is in or out.
PlayReplay, deployed on all PPA professional courts, is an all-in-one smart court system offering real-time tracking of every ball and player. Using four compact cameras positioned on either side of the net, the system delivers results to a tablet device in just seconds.
UPA-A continues to evaluate the best line calling solutions available to ensure fairness at every level of the sport.