Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport?

No, pickleball is not currently an Olympic sport. It was not included at the Paris 2024 Olympics and is not part of the confirmed program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Pickleball has made progress toward international recognition, but popularity alone does not earn a sport a place in the Olympics. It still needs to complete several important steps involving international governance, anti-doping standards, global competition, and formal approval from the International Olympic Committee.

Will Pickleball Be in the 2028 Olympics?

Pickleball will not be played at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The IOC approved five additional sports for LA28: baseball and softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash.

Pickleball was not included in that proposal. It has also not been announced as a demonstration sport or unofficial event at LA28.

This means there will be no Olympic pickleball medals, qualification tournaments, or national teams competing in Los Angeles. Any claims that pickleball has already been added to the 2028 Games are incorrect.

Pickleball’s Current Olympic Status

Pickleball is developing the international structures required to pursue Olympic recognition, but it has not yet completed the process.

The Global Pickleball Federation reported reaching its 60th member organization in March 2025. It later stated that it had formally entered the IOC recognition process during meetings in Lausanne in June 2025.

Beginning the process is an important development, but it does not mean that the IOC has recognized pickleball or approved it for the Olympic Games.

How Does a Sport Become an Olympic Sport?

A sport does not join the Olympics simply by attracting a large number of recreational players. It must establish the international governance, competition, and integrity systems expected of an Olympic sport.

A Recognized International Federation

The sport needs an international federation capable of governing it worldwide. That organization must oversee rules, national federations, international competitions, athlete representation, disciplinary procedures, and long-term development.

The IOC evaluates the federation’s governance, independence, transparency, and international reach. Submitting an application begins the evaluation process but does not guarantee recognition.

Global Participation

Olympic sports need genuine international participation rather than popularity concentrated in one country or region. This normally requires established national federations, organized competitions, and meaningful athlete development across multiple continents.

Pickleball has expanded well beyond the United States, with organizations and events developing in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the rest of the Americas. However, the competitive depth and organizational structure remain more developed in some regions than others.

Unified Rules and Governance

An Olympic sport needs consistent rules and a clear international authority. Pickleball has faced complications because multiple organizations have claimed international governing responsibilities.

The Global Pickleball Federation and Unified World Pickleball Federation announced a joint initiative intended to create one international governing structure. A successful unification process would make responsibilities clearer for national federations, athletes, event organizers, and Olympic decision-makers.

The basic game is already well established, but international alignment involves more than deciding court dimensions and scoring. Anyone learning the recreational game can use our complete guide to the rules of pickleball.

Anti-Doping and Sporting Integrity

Olympic sports require credible anti-doping, athlete-safety, eligibility, disciplinary, and results-management systems. These systems must operate consistently across international events.

In December 2025, the Global Pickleball Federation partnered with the International Testing Agency to develop an independent anti-doping program. The multi-year plan runs through 2028 and includes anti-doping rules, athlete education, targeted testing, results management, and Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

This is a significant step toward international sporting recognition. However, building the program is part of the process rather than proof that Olympic approval has been completed.

Proposal and IOC Approval

Recognition of a sport or federation does not automatically place it on the Olympic program. The organizing committee for a future Games can propose additional sports that suit its location, audience, venues, and sporting culture.

The proposal is then evaluated by the IOC Olympic Programme Commission and Executive Board. Final inclusion requires approval from the IOC Session.

This is how sports such as flag football and squash were added to LA28. Pickleball would need to complete the relevant recognition work and then be selected for a future Olympic program.

How Close Is Pickleball to Becoming an Olympic Sport?

Pickleball is closer than it was several years ago because it now has broader international participation and an organized recognition campaign. Its international federation has also started developing governance and anti-doping systems that align more closely with Olympic expectations.

However, several major steps remain. The IOC has not announced pickleball as a recognized Olympic sport, and the sport still needs a widely accepted international governing structure.

It also needs a stable calendar of high-level international competitions involving representative national teams. Professional tours can help develop the game, but commercial leagues are not a substitute for coordinated international governance.

Pickleball therefore has a credible Olympic ambition, but it would be premature to describe inclusion as imminent.

Could Pickleball Be Included at Brisbane 2032?

Brisbane 2032 is the Olympic edition most frequently discussed as a possible target for pickleball. The Global Pickleball Federation has publicly identified participation in the 2032 Games as part of its long-term vision.

This remains an organizational goal rather than a confirmed IOC decision. Pickleball has not been announced as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program, and no Olympic qualification system or medal events have been approved.

Before 2032 becomes realistic, the sport would need to make measurable progress in governance, anti-doping compliance, national federation development, international competition, and IOC recognition. The Brisbane organizers would then need to support its inclusion, followed by the required IOC review and approval.

Pickleball may have a stronger case for 2032 than it had for 2028, but there is no guarantee that it will be selected.

Why Pickleball Could Work at the Olympics

Pickleball has several qualities that could make it attractive to Olympic organizers. It is accessible, relatively easy to understand, and capable of producing short matches that fit television and digital broadcasting schedules.

The court is also smaller than a tennis court, allowing organizers to stage several matches within a compact venue. Existing indoor arenas or temporary courts could potentially be used without requiring an expensive purpose-built stadium.

Pickleball can also offer men’s, women’s, and mixed-gender competition. Mixed doubles could be particularly suitable for the Olympics because it combines team strategy with the IOC’s emphasis on gender-balanced participation.

The sport’s relationship with tennis may also help new viewers understand it quickly. Our tennis vs pickleball comparison explains how the two sports differ in court size, equipment, rules, movement, and technique.

What Is Preventing Pickleball From Joining the Olympics?

The largest obstacles are not the basic rules or the number of recreational players. They are international governance, competitive depth, integrity systems, and the limited space available on the Olympic program.

International Governance

The IOC needs clarity about which federation has the authority to govern the sport. Competing international organizations can create uncertainty over rules, membership, athlete eligibility, and event ownership.

Uneven Global Development

Pickleball is growing internationally, but its strongest professional and recreational markets remain more established than those in developing regions. Olympic inclusion requires more than a list of member organizations. Those organizations need active players, competitions, coaches, officials, and development programs.

A Consistent International Competition Structure

Pickleball needs a clear pathway from national competition to continental and world-level events. International rankings, qualification standards, officiating, and championship formats must be trusted across participating countries.

Anti-Doping Compliance

The partnership with the International Testing Agency is an important step, but its systems need time to be implemented and demonstrated through actual international competition.

Competition for Olympic Places

The Olympic program cannot expand without limits. Every proposed sport competes for athletes, medal events, venue space, scheduling time, broadcasting attention, and organizational resources.

Even a rapidly growing sport can be left out if another candidate offers a stronger international structure or fits the host city’s plans more effectively.

What Would Olympic Pickleball Look Like?

No official Olympic pickleball format has been approved. Any proposed events remain speculative until the IOC and the sport’s recognized international federation make a formal decision.

A potential program could include men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. A smaller first appearance might focus on doubles and mixed doubles to limit the athlete quota and number of medal events.

The tournament would also require an international qualification system. Players might qualify through rankings, continental events, or national selection, but no Olympic pickleball qualification rules currently exist.

Pickleball Does Not Need the Olympics to Keep Growing

Olympic inclusion would provide global exposure, national funding opportunities, and greater recognition for elite players. It could also encourage more countries to develop coaching, officiating, junior competition, and national-team programs.

However, pickleball can continue growing without Olympic status. Recreational participation, professional tours, international tournaments, and local clubs are already expanding the sport.

Players do not need to wait for Olympic inclusion to get involved. Our guide on how to play pickleball covers the equipment, scoring, positioning, serving, and basic tactics needed to begin.

Final Thoughts

Pickleball is not currently an Olympic sport and will not be included at Los Angeles 2028. Its international organizations are working toward IOC recognition, unified governance, broader global competition, and a complete anti-doping system.

Brisbane 2032 represents a possible future opportunity, but it remains an ambition rather than a confirmed appearance. Pickleball’s rapid growth gives it a credible case, while the next few years of international organization and competition will determine whether that growth can be converted into Olympic inclusion.

FAQ

Is Pickleball Currently an Olympic Sport?

No. Pickleball is not currently an Olympic sport and has never appeared as an official medal event.

Will Pickleball Be at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?

No. Pickleball is not included in the confirmed LA28 Olympic program.

Will Pickleball Be at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics?

Possibly, but it has not been confirmed. Brisbane 2032 is a goal promoted by pickleball’s international leadership, not an approved Olympic appearance.

Has the IOC Recognized Pickleball?

Pickleball’s international federation has announced that it entered the IOC recognition process. Entering the process does not mean recognition has already been granted.

When Will Pickleball Become an Olympic Sport?

There is no confirmed date. The earliest edition currently being actively targeted is Brisbane 2032, but inclusion depends on governance progress, international development, a host proposal, and IOC approval.

Is Tennis an Olympic Sport?

Yes. Tennis is an established Olympic medal sport with men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. You can learn more in our article explaining whether tennis is an Olympic sport.