2024 Recap: UPA-A News Highlights
The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has been making waves in the world of Pickleball since its launch in mid-2024. As a new governing body under the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the UPA-A has been at the forefront of major developments and announcements in the sport.
One of the biggest news items from the UPA-A in 2024 was the announcement of its brand and the launch of the State Championship Series. This series, rebranded as the “UPA State Championships,” will feed into a Nationals tournament, setting the stage for a potential competitor to the existing USAP Nationals.
In addition, the UPA-A made headlines with the launch of advisory boards and oversight goals, as well as the announcement of the UPA Nationals (later renamed to be “UPA Worlds”) in Dallas. The event featured a variety of activities and drew record attendance, solidifying the UPA-A’s presence in the Pickleball community.
However, not all news surrounding the UPA-A was positive. The leak of the organization’s certification fee structure sparked controversy, with paddle manufacturers pushing back on the fees and testing procedures. Despite these challenges, the UPA-A continued to make strides in the sport, releasing details of its paddle certification program and announcing a list of preliminary approved paddles for 2025.
As the UPA-A continues to shape the future of Pickleball, it remains a key player in the evolving landscape of the sport. Stay tuned for more updates and developments from the UPA-A as we head into the 2025 season.
