About the International Pickleball Federation

The International Pickleball Federation

The International Pickleball Federation (IPF) was created in 2023 to perpetuate the international growth and development of pickleball. The previous organization, the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was created in 2016. The IPF has expanded its footprint to over 80 member countries and growing, as new countries join the IPF to work toward our goal for pickleball be recognized as an Olympic sport.

IPF Executive Vice Presidents are volunteer leaders, responsible for programs that set the global standard for pickleball throughout the world. The programs include IPF Certified Tournament Directors, Referees and Line Judges. IPF Global Diplomats provide in-country assistance to country organizations. The IPF Grant Programs can supply much-needed equipment to remote countries.

The IPF headquarters is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. IPF will establish Liaison Offices in Mumbai, India, Shenzhen, China and Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Bainbridge Cup International Championship Tournament was established in 2017, with Spain hosting the IPF’s inaugural signature event. The tournament draws support from the global players, volunteers and organizations around the world.

History of Pickleball and the IPF

The sport of pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum of Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. In 2005, the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) became a non-profit corporation with a mission to perpetuate the growth and advancement of pickleball on a national level. The first official rulebook of the USAPA was adopted by the USAPA shortly after its incorporation.

Since 1965, the sport has grown significantly each year in popularity. In the U.S., organized competitions at local, state and national levels have emerged. Additionally, several countries around the world have started their own clubs and are engaged in building their national associations.

The first National Open Pickleball Competition was conducted at Surprise, Arizona in 2009. In early 2010, a committee was formed to advance the concept of an International Federation of Pickleball (IFP). The IFP was organized to perpetuate the international growth and development of pickleball, which then prompted the establishment of its Constitution, Bylaws and Officers in 2015.

In 2023, the Board of Directors determined that the IFP model was ineffective to handle the exploding growth of pickleball. They strategically reorganized its federation into a more comprehensive and expansive model termed the international pickleball consortium. In the consortium model, the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) replaced the IFP.

IPF Aims and Objectives

Promoting, developing, and popularizing the sport of pickleball throughout the world.
Governing and administering the sport of pickleball in all countries and continents in a nondiscriminatory way.
Maintaining and publishing the decisive text on the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, introducing such changes as are desirable, doing all that is necessary to uphold them and to achieve uniform interpretation.
Promoting the highest degree of sportsmanship and integrity among the players.
Sanctioning international tournaments and events at the highest level.
Supporting the development of tournament directors and officials.
Encouraging and developing the sport with differently abled people.
Creating mutually beneficial partnerships to develop and promote the sport.
Employing the funds of the Federation to achieve development and growth of the sport consistent with these purposes and objectives.
Maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability in managing the financial resources of the IPF.

IPF Board of Directors

Arvind Ramesh Prabhoo – President (India)
Alicia Wolfgruber - 1st Vice President (Austria)
Dwight Crawford - Treasurer (USA)
Marlon Schulman - Board Advisor (USA)

Contact information can be found for each IPF Board Member under Meet The Team.

Important Documents

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