Will Pickleball Ever Be an Olympic Sport?

The growth in pickleball’s popularity can best be described as meteoric: Participation has increased 223.5% since 2020 in the U.S. alone, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. This combination platter of tennis, ping pong, badminton, and a whiffle ball is a big deal, evidenced by professional pickleball leagues popping up globally, and many consider Olympic consideration to be the next logical step. So, will pickleball be an Olympic sport in the near future?

Could Pickleball Be an Olympic Sport?

While more ”traditional” sports like tennis seem to set the tone for Olympic standards, the recent inclusions of events such as breaking and sport climbing point toward a much more inclusive attitude and an increased likelihood that pickleball will be in the Olympics.

The IOC’s Rules

The International Olympic Committee has established certain criteria that a sport must meet to become eligible for consideration:

1. International Federation Recognition: Each sport needs an established global organization that adheres to the Olympic Charter and enforces the World Anti-Doping Code.
2. Global Participation: The sport must demonstrate universality with widespread international involvement by both men and women.
3. Cost and Complexity: Sports should not have considerable added expenses or need elaborate accommodations that could strain the host city’s ability to prepare.
4. Youth Appeal: The IOC’s goal is to maintain relevance among youth, so the sport requires a level of popularity among younger audiences.
5. Host Country Interest: The sport should have strong local engagement and support in the host country.

Additionally, the sport must show its commitment to its athlete’s health and safety by implementing measures such as COVID-19 protocols or heat mitigation strategies.

Will Pickleball Be Part of the 2028 Olympics?

Pickleball is not an Olympic sport yet, and definitely not anytime soon. The IOC has already announced the new programs for the 2028 games in Los Angeles, and pickleball is not on the list. However, consideration for 2032 could still be a possibility.

Where Pickleball Stands

As it stands, pickleball does not meet the IOC’s recognition criteria, but there are positive signs:

1. A proposed merger between the International Pickleball Federation and the World Pickleball Federation will make significant headway into creating a unified global governing body.
2. The required widespread international participation is a work in progress; however, pickleball is expanding quickly in countries like Australia, India, and the U.K.
3. Pickleball courts are logistically easy and inexpensive, often making use of existing tennis or badminton courts in host cities.
4. Youth engagement in pickleball is growing, with the largest age bracket set at 28.8% of participants between 18 and 34.
5. Pickleball has a substantial domestic interest in both the U.S. (Los Angeles, 2028) and Australia (Brisbane, 2032), which could support its case for inclusion.

Pickleball’s Future as an Olympic Sport Is Unclear

While we don’t know if pickleball will be an Olympic sport, players and fans alike are hopeful for inclusion in the IOC’s discussion for 2032’s new Olympic programs.

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