USA Pickleball, the organisation working tirelessly grow pickleball in the US and to set goals for worldwide play and recognition, has released the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.
The 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook builds on the 2025 edition, clarifying some wordings and providing more clarity in as far as implementing the rules and standardising play, particularly in tournament settings. The rulebook, as USA Pickleball explains, is meant to “provide pickleball players with the rules necessary for standard play (recreational, social, organised league), and tournament play.”
Specifically, Part I and Part II of the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook are applicable to all play, both standard play and tournament play. Part III, meanwhile, modifies the standard play rules in Part II and is designed to be used in the conduct of USA Pickleball sanctioned tournaments. Part IV, on the other hand, contains standard play and tournament play rules for players with disabilities and modifies the rules in Part II and Part III. A sanctioned tournament allows players to obtain a rating on a national or international basis.
You can view or download the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook below:
