The United Pickleball Association of America on Wednesday announced that it has officially begun the process of transitioning from a Limited Liability Company under the United Pickleball Association (UPA) umbrella to a fully independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization.

This transition is expected to be completed by Nov. 1, according to a news release from the UPA-A.

The move to a nonprofit “reinforces UPA-A’s commitment to independence, transparency and its long-standing mission to champion the growth and integrity of pickleball around the world.”

Since it was created in May of 2024, the UPA-A has served as the authority on equipment standards, paddle testing, player conduct and rule enforcement for professional pickleball at all UPA events, including the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball.

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The transition to a nonprofit “ensures that UPA-A operates free from the commercial interests of any professional tours, with a governance structure that prioritizes the long-term health of the sport over any single entity or league,” according to the release.

“This is a watershed moment for the sport of pickleball,” said UPA-A President Jason Aspes. “By becoming a fully independent 501(c)(6) organization, UPA-A is establishing the framework for transparent, non-commercial governance that serves the entire pickleball community. Our mission has always been to protect the integrity of competition, ensure fairness through clear equipment and play standards, and help the sport grow around the world. This move allows us to deliver on that mission at every level of the game.”

Under the new structure, UPA-A will:

  • Maintain full independence from the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball while continuing to sanction professional and amateur events under UPA-A rules and standards.
  • Provide full financial transparency, ensuring that organizational revenues are reinvested directly into initiatives that support the sport, its athletes and its infrastructure.
  • Expand its scope to include governance of all levels of competitive play, from local leagues and amateur events to junior, collegiate, senior and professional competition.
  • Uphold and strengthen equipment standards, including paddle certification and compliance, ensuring fair play and a level playing field for players globally.

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Over the coming months, Aspes said the UPA-A will roll out new programs for amateur tournament sanctioning, referee and official training, and establish broader pathways for competitive play, “ensuring alignment and consistency across all levels of the sport.”

“Pickleball’s rapid global growth demands a trusted, independent governing body to guide its future,” Aspes said. “This transition marks UPA-A’s evolution into that organization, one that serves players, tournament directors, manufacturers, and fans alike, not just the professional tours. Our goal is to safeguard the sport’s integrity while fostering its continued growth for generations to come.”

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