Recently, pickleball, a game that combines tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has become popular rapidly. From its humble roots on a court in Washington State in 1965, it has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with millions of players in the United States alone.
As the number of people who play pickleball grows, fans have one hot question: When will it be added to the Olympics?
Here’s a look at pickleball’s path to the Olympics — the hurdles in its way, and what needs to happen for it to join the elite group of Olympic sports.
Criteria for Olympic Inclusion
To understand how pickleball got to be an Olympic sport, it’s important to know what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) looks for in sports that want to be included:
- Widespread Popularity: Men must play the sport in at least 75 countries on four continents, and women must play it in at least 40 countries on three continents.
- International Federation: The sport needs to be run by an international federation that ensures the rules are always followed, sets up tournaments, and promotes the sport worldwide.
- Youth Appeal and Universality: The sport needs to be appealing to young people and easy for everyone to get to, no matter their country, culture, or financial situation.
- History and Tradition: The sport should have a rich history and tradition to boost its credibility.
- Compliance with the Olympic Charter: The sport has to follow the Olympic Charter’s ideals and principles, which include a promise of fair play, equal rights for women, and no doping.
Where Does Pickleball Currently Stand?
Some progress has been made in meeting the IOC’s requirements, but more work still needs to be done.
There are now more than 60 countries that are part of the IFP. Pickleball is becoming more famous, but not yet to the point where it should be considered for the Olympics.
In the U.S., you can find many pickleball courts where you can get a membership. That way, many players can engage more in the sports.
However, some parts of Asia and Africa still don’t have enough pickleball courts because the sport is still new there.
The IFP, which was created in 2010, is working hard to spread the sport around the world. It puts together foreign tournaments and works to make the rules more uniform.
But compared to federations of games that have been around longer, it is still pretty new.
Pickleball is fun for people of all ages, but older adults enjoy it. To show that it’s appealing to a wider range of people, the sport will need to keep adding new young players.
A lot of people are really into pickleball, but the sport hasn’t been around as long as tennis, soccer, or gymnastics, which have been around for hundreds of years.
The IFP follows Olympic values, but since it is a new group, it will need to show that it is committed to anti-doping measures, gender equality, and fair play.
How Joining the Olympics Might Benefit Pickleball
Many sports fans, like pickleball players, dream of competing at the Olympic Games one day. After all, there are so many advantages to having one’s sport represented in the Games, such as the following:
Global Exposure
Worldwide, the Olympic Games attract a massive audience and a devoted fan base. Sports like pickleball gain a massive audience and unparalleled visibility when they are a part of the Olympics.
This has the potential to boost enthusiasm for the sport and encourage more people to get involved (from kids to adults, amateurs to pros).
Prestige and Recognition
When a sport is included in the Olympics, it gains status and reputation. It shows that the sport is well-organized, competitive, and popular around the world.
There is a general trend toward elevated status for Olympic athletes.
Funding and Support
Being recognized as an Olympic sport can lead to more financial backing from various sources, including commercial companies, national Olympic organizations, and government agencies. Athlete development, infrastructure, facilities, and grassroots programs can all greatly benefit from these resources, which can further enhance a sport’s development.
Comparing to Other Sports: How Long Could It Take?
These are a few major perks that contribute to pickleball’s ongoing growth. Unfortunately, pickleball will have to keep growing and wait for its time to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
Instead, the executive board of the International Olympic Committee gave their blessing to six sports: cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, another racquet sport.
Most of these sports have been actively seeking Olympic consideration for quite some time, even though you might be perplexed by the inclusion of some (like flag football).
However, pickleball has advantages that could accelerate the process:
- One of the sports that is growing the fastest in the world is pickleball. This could help it reach the required level of fame faster than other sports.
- The sport has a dedicated fan base and is getting more attention from the media. For example, big networks are starting to show pickleball events, which makes the sport more well-known.
- It’s great that pickleball is easy for everyone to play and is a focus of the IOC’s efforts to get more young people involved in sports.
Can pickleball join the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
Pickleball will unfortunately not be a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics roster. But in 2028, cricket, lacrosse, and baseball/softball are all on the table.
Squash and flag football are two of the sports that will be debuting at the Los Angeles Olympics. Pickleball could be added to the Olympics as early as the 2032 Brisbane Games, based on the 2028 schedule.
The sport will most likely have to wait until 2036 (the exact year and venue have not been announced) to achieve all of the prerequisites and acquire the necessary backing.
The Future of Pickleball in the Olympics
Following the Olympic Charter, the selection of the host country or seven years before the Opening Ceremony determines which sports will be included in each Olympic Games. Up until the year 2034, host cities have been revealed.
In the years leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the following host city announcements will be made. Pickleball has the potential to be included in the summergames in 2036 or any subsequent games as long as certain conditions are satisfied.
If the relevant Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games (OCOG), the International Federation (IF), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agree, the Session can decide to change the sports program. But the process should require no later than three years before the relevant Olympic Games begin, according to a proposal from the IOC Executive Board.
Put simply, pickleball may theoretically be included in the 2028 games, but it would require a lot of fast and drastic measures, which is highly improbable.
Will Pickleball Make the Olympic Cut?
If it passes the IOC’s popularity criterion, spreads worldwide, attracts young people, and becomes a difficult and athletic sport, pickleball might become an Olympic sport. Even though there are problems, pickleball is growing quickly, has a passionate group, and is becoming more popular around the world.
Pickleball might become an Olympic sport in the next two or three decades if these efforts keep up. It’s hard to say for sure when this will happen, though.
Although pickleball’s Olympic debut is still far off, the sport’s meteoric rise to prominence and rising profile around the world bode well for its future.
While you wait for pickleball to be added to the Olympic roster, fans and players may keep enjoying the growing professional tours.
You can also want to improve your skills and who knows, be qualified to join competitions as well. If that’s the case, you can read more about pickleball to help you with your practice:
- Top Pickleball Drills For Skill Improvement: Serving, Dinking, And Fast Hands
- How To Prepare For Your First Pickleball Tournament?
- Pickleball Ladders Explained: Rules And Tips
Until then, players and fans alike will continue to rally, paddle in hand, toward the Olympic rings.