United Pickleball Association Non-Profit Transition: The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has announced a major change to its paddle certification program. Starting in 2026, fees will be cut in half to make the process more affordable for brands. At the same time, the organization is transitioning into a non-profit to better support the sport’s growth.
Lower Fees for Paddle Certification
UPA-A introduced full certification on September 1, 2025. At that time, 91 paddle models from 22 brands were already approved.
Going forward, the new pricing will be:
Annual fee: reduced from $20,000 to $10,000
Paddle certification: $3,000 (standard 8-week turnaround)
Expedited service (4 weeks): $2,500 extra
Super expedited (2 weeks): $7,500 extra
Retest after failure: $2,000
In a statement, UPA-A said:
For years, pickleball paddle certification relied on outdated and inconsistent testing methods that failed to keep pace with the rapid evolution of paddle technology.
The organization explained that it was created to address this problem and build
“the world’s most advanced pickleball paddle testing facility.”
Transition to Non-Profit Status
Alongside the fee reduction, UPA-A confirmed it is moving from a limited liability company under the UPA into a 501(c)(6) non-profit.
“This change, which will be completed shortly, underscores the association’s core mission: to ensure pickleball remains fair, fun, and competitive for all participants, while reinvesting in the growth of the game,”
the blog post stated.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
In March, six leaders from the pickleball industry met at RacquetX in Miami to discuss equipment standards and paddle testing.
The panel included:
Jason Aspes, UPA-A President
Tom Barnes, Co-Owner & Director of R&D and LABS, Selkirk Sport
Nick Bicanic, CEO, Reload Pickleball
Rafael Filippini, Founder & CEO, Gearbox Sports
Gordon Kaye, Chief Experience Officer, JOOLA
Carl Schmits, Chief Technology Officer & Director of Manufacturing and Paddle Testing, USA Pickleball
During the event, Jason Aspes addressed questions about UPA-A’s structure.
“I think that it’s important that we are independent. I feel very good about the way we act internally,” he said.
“I recognize that we need to move towards an independence and being a non-profit, and I think that will bring a lot of confidence in the system. We are happy to move towards that. We said that we would do that this year, and we are actively taking steps to do so.”
What This Means for Pickleball
The changes signal an effort to make paddle testing fairer, more transparent, and more affordable. Lower fees could help more brands enter the market, while the non-profit structure is designed to build trust among players, pros, and equipment makers.
News in Brief: United Pickleball Association Non-Profit Transition
UPA-A announced it will reduce paddle certification fees starting in 2026 and shift to non-profit status. The move aims to make testing more affordable, boost brand participation, and ensure fairness in pickleball. Leaders like Jason Aspes emphasized independence and transparency in building trust across the sport.
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