A group of leaders in the pickleball community have joined together in a unified effort to address one of the fastest-growing threats to the sport, counterfeit paddles. This issue has aligned every organization: there is no room for counterfeit paddles in the sport.

The entities standing together include the Association of Pickleball Players (APP Tour), Dynamic Universal Pickleball Ratings (DUPR), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball World Cup, Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour), United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A), USA Pickleball (USAP), and World Pickleball Federation (WPF).

Counterfeit paddles undermine competitive integrity and can pose real safety risks due to unregulated materials and performance. Authentic manufacturers invest heavily in research, testing, and innovation to meet established standards, counterfeit products do not. Through this initiative, the pickleball community is working together to educate players, support legitimate manufacturers, strengthen equipment standards, and discourage the sale and use of fraudulent paddles.

At every level of play, from local courts to championship competitions, players deserve safe, certified, and authentic equipment. Together, we’re protecting the integrity of the game we all love.

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