Process Overview
The process outlined below will be used for the 2026 Rulebook revision. The process for 2026 introduces additional transparency and opportunities for USA Pickleball member input and comments.
The steps below are designed to result in an effective date of January 1, 2026, for the new Rulebook.
1.) Submitting a New Rule or Rule Change Proposal: Any member of USAP at the Challenger or Champion level is welcome to submit a new rule or propose a revision to a current 2025 rule
2.) Opportunity to Submit Proposed Rule Changes: The window for USA Pickleball Members to submit proposed rule changes opens on April 1, 2025. The deadline for proposed rule changes will be June 1, 2025. Each proposed rule will have a tracking number assigned that will not change throughout the process, so interested parties can follow or track a particular proposed rule through the process. All proposed rule changes, including editorial changes, will be captured in the New Rulebook Database (NRD).
3.) Public Comments: Anyone is welcome to comment on any proposed rule or rule change. Public comments are posted until the deadline closes on June 15, 2025
4.) USA Pickleball Rules Committee Action: The USA Pickleball Rules Committee will begin meeting in June to review the proposed rule changes and any public comments on the proposed rule changes. The Rules Committee will vote on each proposed change to:
- Approve the proposed change as submitted
- Approve the proposed change with amendments (editorial or substantive)
- Disapprove the proposed change.
All Rules Committee actions, including the reasons for their action and any amendments made to the proposed changes, will be documented in the NRD. The Rules Committee’s complete consideration and documentation of all proposed rule changes will be publicly available by anyone who queries the NRD.
5.) USA Pickleball Board of Directors Action: The results of the USA Pickleball Rules Committee action will be forwarded to the USAP Board of Directors for final approval. The USAP Board of Directors' actions will be posted in the NRD.
6.) New Rulebook Publication: The new Rulebook will be published on the USA Pickleball website by December 15. This provides an opportunity for the public to become familiar with the rule changes before the effective date of January 1, 2026.
5.) Effective Date: The new 2026 Rulebook will be made available for purchase on January 1, 2026.