USA Pickleball adds new paddles to Approved List in late Jan. 2026

A fresh set of paddles showed up on USA Pickleball’s Approved Paddle List in late January, a reminder that the governing body’s equipment database is still changing even after last year’s major policy shifts. Entries dated Jan. 26–29, 2026 appear on the equipment site; one visible listing stamped 01/29/2026 includes G.O.A.T. Presidential 16mm and a truncated KAIWIN entry.

The additions matter because they come against the backdrop of the Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution standard, or PBCoR, introduced in Q4 2024 to limit excessive paddle trampoline. Usapickleball explained the concern: “The trampoline effect on pickleball paddles refers to the phenomenon where the surface of a paddle deforms and then rapidly returns to its original shape upon contact with the ball, effectively ‘springing’ the ball off the paddle. This effect can amplify the ball’s speed and force beyond what is typical for normal play.” The organization framed its enforcement plan plainly: “As part of this initiative, paddles exceeding the initial threshold will be sunset and removed from certification for sanctioned play starting July 1, 2025.” Usapickleball added that “the screening process continues for existing equipment with the list of equipment updated as screening continues in parallel to new PBCoR equipment testing.”

That ongoing screening is one reason players and league organizers need to watch the list. Playpickleball notes the scale of the task: “There are currently more than 2,500 different paddles on the list of USA Pickleball-approved paddles.” For most amateurs, USA Pickleball approval is the relevant standard for sanctioned local and regional play. For pro players, however, certification has bifurcated: the United Pickleball Association of America has established its own regime. Pickleball.com reported that “The United Pickleball Association of America has released the lists of paddles with provisional approval and interim certification ahead of next week’s Zimmer Biomet Masters powered by Invited,” and added that “Paddles on either list will be eligible for use in pro competition at PPA and MLP events until full 2025 UPA-A Certification becomes a requirement on July 1.” Pickleball.com also noted the UPA-A “is now requiring full certification for paddles in order for them to be used at the pro level on the PPA Tour and in Major League Pickleball” and that “As of Sept. 1, the organization has moved entirely away from recognizing USAP certification, and the UPA-A now has its own paddle testing and certification process, which is being done at the Pickle Pro Labs facility in south Florida.”

The pro-level shift has real consequences. Pickleball.com and TheKitchenPickle highlighted brand- and model-level effects: Gearbox, Gamma, and Babolat did not apply for UPA-A certification, Reload applied but has not paid, and Selkirk had only two Project 008 shapes approved for pro use (Epic and Invikta) at the time of reporting. TheKitchenPickle put an interim UPA-A tally at “24 paddle brands and 103 specific paddle models” as of Sept. 9, while also flagging model caveats such as the Selkirk Project Boomstik note that the elongated and widebody models are “only approved for use without the MOI claps” because they were submitted for testing without that hardware.

What this means now: amateur players should monitor USA Pickleball’s Approved Paddle List for late-January additions and any configuration notes on approval. Pro players and coaches must cross-check UPA-A certification before events, since a paddle cleared by USA Pickleball may not be permitted at PPA or MLP competition. Expect more list updates as PBCoR screening continues and as manufacturers pursue or decline separate UPA-A certification.