Pickleball Paddle Testing

Provisonal Approval

Starting January 1, 2025 and until full certification is mandatory (April 1, 2025), UPA-A will require Provisional Approval of all USAP certified paddles to be eligible to play at the UPA professional level.

Fees: $2,000 per paddle*
*Goes towards 2025 Certification fees

Interim Certification

Paddle manufacturers interested in getting the UPA-A Interim Certification for the remainder of 2024 can apply here.

Note: UPA-A certification is not required for play in UPA events if paddles have USAP approval for 2024.

2025 UPA-A Certification

Starting in 2025, UPA-A Certification will be required for all professional events under UPA. This includes all PPA and MLP events for professionals. The amateur competition will not be held to the UPA-A certification standards and USAP approval will be satisfactory.

Fees: (TBD)
Apply for Certification: (Coming soon)

Paddle Testing

Along with Pickle Pro Labs, our independent testing lab, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, who have extensive experience as the testing facility for Major League Baseball, UPA has established a best in class certification process for the professional sport of pickleball.

As the professional game continues to grow, both domestically and around the world, it is imperative that standards are established and manufacturers can design and build paddles that ensure a level playing field. But these paddle standards are more than just keeping speeds and spin in check, these standards are intended to improve the materials and building processes which will lead to better quality control and longer lifespans of paddles.

Average Deflection Force (ADF) Test

Paddle Measurements

Maximum length (butt of handle to top of paddle, including edge guard) – 17 in
Maximum combined length plus width – 24 in

Test Equipment

Load frame calibrated for relevant load ranges
Paddle compression head (see appendix A)
¼” width parallel supports spaced 6” center to center, raised 3/16” above frame

Test Procedure

1.1 – Position the paddle on the parallel supports

1.2 – Orient paddle for testing; center of Paddle Compression Head should be directly above the appropriate paddle test location (see reference image below)

1.2.1 – In addition to the prescribed test locations, PPL reserves the right to test at any location on the paddle.

1.3 – Commence Compression Test (all loading movements performed with crosshead speed of 0.05 in/s)

1.3.1 – Apply 5 lb preload

1.3.2 – Zero the load measurement

1.3.3 – Compress to 0.0625” depth (beyond the preload position)

1.3.4 – Record Force at 0.0625” depth (this is the Deflection Force for the associated paddle test location)

1.3.5 – Return Compression Head to its home position

1.4 – Repeat 1.3.1-5 per compliance requirement

Conditioning Procedure

Paddles must be conditioned to the appropriate temperature for no less than 4 hours and no more than 24 hours.
After the paddle has been conditioned, for every minute that the paddle is outside of the conditioning chamber, it must go back in the chamber for 15 minutes before the next test.