Will Pickleball Make It to the Olympics?
By The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team • Oct 8, 2025 • 4 min read
Pickleball has exploded across the globe, with courts popping up in gyms, community centers, and even professional venues in more than 60 countries. It’s the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the third year running and players everywhere are starting to ask the big question: when will pickleball make its Olympic debut?
The 2028 Games: A Missed Opportunity
The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California in the U.S. has already announced its new additions of flag football, squash, cricket, baseball/softball, and lacrosse. Unfortunately, pickleball didn’t make the cut. While disappointing, this wasn’t unexpected. Olympic inclusion is a complex, multi-year process that requires a sport to meet strict criteria.
What It Takes to Qualify
For pickleball to join the Olympic family, it must satisfy several International Olympic Committee (IOC) requirements:
Global Reach: Played by men in at least 75 countries across four continents, and women in at least 40 countries across three continents. Pickleball is currently in about 60 countries—close, but not quite there.
Unified Governance: The sport must be represented by a single internationally recognized federation. Recent progress was made when the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) merged with the World Pickleball Federation (WPF), now headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, home of the IOC.
Olympic Standards: International competition structures, anti-doping programs, and athlete development pathways must align with Olympic regulations.
These boxes aren’t yet fully checked, but momentum is building.
Eyes on Brisbane 2032
The 2032 Summer Games in Brisbane, Australia, are the earliest realistic target for pickleball’s debut. Australia has been an enthusiastic adopter of the sport, with clubs and tournaments growing rapidly, giving pickleball a supportive base in the host country.
Even top players are optimistic. Pro phenom Anna Leigh Waters, who made history as the first pickleball athlete to attend the ESPYs this year, voiced her belief that Olympic inclusion is on the horizon. “The sport is ready,” she said. “We just need the world to catch up.”
Pathways to Inclusion
If pickleball is to join the Olympics, the path may include:
- Demonstration Sport Status: A trial run at a future Games, showcasing the sport without awarding medals.
- International Growth Campaigns: Expanding into Asia, Africa, and South America where participation is still developing.
- Global Competitions: Building prestige with world championships that mirror other Olympic-level sports.
Chasing the Olympic Dream
Pickleball won’t be on the courts in Los Angeles in 2028, but don’t count it out. With explosive growth, new international leadership, and a passionate player base, the sport is steadily marching toward its Olympic dream.
The 2032 Brisbane Games could be the moment pickleball finally claims its place on the world’s biggest stage. Until then, players can take pride in knowing they’re part of a movement that may soon make Olympic history.
The Pickleball Editorial Team produces in-depth reporting and cover features that examine the sport’s growth, innovation, competition, and culture. With contributors who understand both the strategy of the game and the forces shaping its future, the team is committed to telling the full story of modern pickleball.
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