Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport Yet? The Quest for Gold

Pickleball. It's the sport that has swept the nation, captivating millions with its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. From community centers to dedicated clubs, courts are popping up everywhere, buzzing with players of all ages and skill levels. Its meteoric rise has naturally led to a burning question among enthusiasts and casual observers alike: Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport yet?

If you've been wondering when you might see pickleball paddles clashing for Olympic gold, you're not alone. This article will dive into the current status of pickleball's Olympic aspirations, explore the rigorous journey a sport must undertake to join the Games, and discuss when we might realistically see pickleball on the world's biggest stage.

The Phenomenal Rise of Pickleball

In just a few short years, pickleball has transformed from a backyard pastime into a global phenomenon. Its appeal lies in its accessibility – it's easy to learn, offers a great workout, and fosters a strong sense of community. This unique combination has fueled unprecedented growth, making it one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. With such widespread and passionate participation, it's only natural for players and fans to dream of seeing their beloved sport elevated to Olympic status.

What Does It Take to Become an Olympic Sport?

Becoming an Olympic sport is no easy feat. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a stringent set of criteria that potential sports must meet, ensuring they align with the Olympic Charter and contribute to the Games' global appeal. So, what exactly are these hurdles?

The IOC's Strict Criteria for Inclusion:

IOC Recognition: The very first step is for the sport to be officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. This requires the sport to be governed by a single, international non-governmental organization.
Global Reach: For a summer sport, it must be widely practiced. This means men must play the sport in at least 75 countries across four continents, and women in at least 40 countries across three continents.
International Federation (IF): The sport needs a robust international federation that ensures consistent rules, organizes tournaments, promotes the sport globally, and, crucially, complies with the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition.
Youth Appeal & Universality: The sport should resonate with younger generations and be accessible to people regardless of their country, culture, or economic background.
Marketability & Spectator Appeal: The sport needs to be engaging for spectators and attract media coverage, adding value and appeal to the Olympic Games.
Structured Competition: There must be a well-established competitive pathway, including world championships and regional tournaments.

Additionally, host cities have the unique opportunity to propose new sports for inclusion in their specific Games, which can sometimes fast-track a sport's journey.

Pickleball's Journey Towards Olympic Recognition

So, where does pickleball stand in meeting these demanding requirements?

Currently, pickleball is not an Olympic sport. It was not included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, nor will it be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The sports lineup for Los Angeles 2028 is already largely determined, featuring sports like cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash.

However, significant strides are being made. The International Pickleball Federation (IPF), established in 2023, serves as the sport's global governing body with a primary mission to achieve IOC recognition and eventual Olympic inclusion. In a significant development, the IPF and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) announced a merger in November 2024, affirmed in June 2025, operating under the World Pickleball Federation name and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland – notably, the same city as the IOC.

The IPF (now WPF) has expanded its reach, reporting over 80 member countries. While this is a strong indicator of growing international presence, meeting the specific thresholds of 75 countries across four continents for men's play and 40 countries across three continents for women's play remains a key challenge.

Pickleball has also gained some international exposure, having been accepted as an official exhibition sport at the Maccabi Games in Israel, an IOC-sanctioned event.

Hurdles and Hopes for Pickleball's Olympic Future

Despite its immense popularity, especially in North America, pickleball still faces several hurdles on its path to the Olympics:

Global Expansion: While rapidly growing, it needs to solidify its presence and organized play in more countries and continents to meet the IOC's strict universality criteria.
Unified Governance: Although the recent merger of the IPF and WPF is a positive step, ensuring a single, universally recognized governing body that fully adheres to all IOC regulations (including anti-doping protocols) is paramount.
Standardized Competitive Structure: While professional tours exist, a truly universal and standardized competitive framework across all levels is still developing.

However, pickleball also boasts significant advantages:

Explosive Growth: Its rapid growth and enthusiastic global community are undeniable assets.
Accessibility: Its low barrier to entry makes it appealing to a broad demographic, aligning with the Olympic ideal of universality.
Spectator Appeal: The fast-paced, dynamic nature of pickleball makes it an exciting sport to watch, a crucial factor for media and public interest.

When Could We See Pickleball in the Olympics?

Given that pickleball will not be featured in the 2024 Paris or 2028 Los Angeles Games, the earliest realistic opportunity for its inclusion would be the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in Australia. Some experts even suggest that 2036 (for which the host city is yet to be announced) might be a more probable target, allowing the sport more time to meet all necessary criteria and build further support.

There's also the possibility of pickleball being included as a demonstration sport in 2028 or 2032. This would allow the sport to showcase its appeal on the Olympic stage without being a full medal event, potentially paving the way for official inclusion in subsequent Games. While there was an unconfirmed report in late 2024 suggesting IOC approval for 2028, this has not been officially corroborated by major sources or the IOC itself as of May 2025.

The process for adding new sports typically takes years, with decisions often made seven years in advance of the Games. This long lead time means consistent, strategic effort is required from the sport's governing bodies.

Conclusion

While pickleball has yet to earn its place as an official Olympic sport, its journey is far from over. The sport's incredible growth, passionate community, and increasing international organization paint a promising picture for its future. It won't be in Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028, but the dream of seeing pickleball players compete for Olympic medals in 2032 or 2036 is very much alive.

The path to Olympic glory is challenging, demanding global reach, unified governance, and unwavering dedication. As pickleball continues to expand its footprint and refine its competitive structure, it moves closer to fulfilling its Olympic aspirations.

What do you think? Will pickleball make it to the Olympics in your lifetime? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Pickleball in the 2024 Paris Olympics?

No, pickleball is not an Olympic sport and will not be featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Q2: Will Pickleball be in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

No, pickleball will not be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The sports program for those Games has already been largely determined, including other sports like cricket, baseball/softball, and flag football.

Q3: What is the earliest pickleball could become an Olympic sport?

The earliest pickleball could potentially be included as an Olympic sport is the 2032 Brisbane Games in Australia. However, many consider 2036 to be a more realistic target year.

Q4: What are the main requirements for a sport to be included in the Olympics?

To be included, a sport must be recognized by the IOC, have a single international governing body, be played by men in at least 75 countries across four continents and by women in at least 40 countries across three continents, and comply with anti-doping codes. It also needs to demonstrate popularity, marketability, and a structured competitive pathway.