Stay informed about the latest changes in pickleball rules to ensure you’re up-to-date with the game’s regulations. From scoring modifications to rule clarifications, this document provides insights into the rationale behind each change. Keeping abreast of rule changes empowers players, referees, and instructors to maintain consistency and fairness on the court. Moreover, staying informed about pickleball rule updates is essential for a rewarding pickleball experience. So, dive into the guide and stay ahead of the curve!
Purpose:
The USA Pickleball Rulebook Change Document outlines all new and revised rules for 2026, explains the
reasons behind each change, and helps players and referees understand and apply the updates. It also
serves as a historical record for future reference.
The Change Document should not be viewed as a substitute for the Rulebook.
Explanation:
Each entry is numbered for reference. Each entry has a four-digit number in blue that links to the USAP New Rule Database and shows the original rule revision or request. Next is the 2025 rule number being revised. Next to that rule number is the new 2026 Rule that corresponds to the 2025 Rule. The 2026 rule that now applies is listed next to the 2025 rule behind a back slash. Key Words describing the rule change are in the next box. A “View Details” link then directs the reader to the specific page and rule associated with that entry.
Rules changes in black font are editorial. Some rules were edited by request for clarity or grammar. The changes contain actions that can be taken as a result of a rules violation. If the Key Words appear in red, the rule or something in the rule is new to the USA Pickleball rulebook.
In some cases, an Additional Information section was included to provide more details on the change. This will give a scenario or further description as to how this rule will be used.
USA Pickleball hopes that all players, spectators, and Tournament staff have the opportunity to read the new 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook. This document gives the audience a quick guide as to what has changed and why. USA Pickleball members are encouraged to participate in the 2027 rules change process detailed on page 27.
2025 Rule:
12.C.4. Round Robin. All players/teams play each other. Games may use any of the approved tournament scoring options. (See Rule 12.B.) The winner is determined based on number of matches won. If two or more teams are tied, ties shall be broken in accordance with 12.C.4.a. through 12.C.4.e. The method that succeeds in breaking the tie will be used to rank all tied teams.
2026 Rule:
15.B.4 Round Robin. All singles players or doubles teams play each other. The winner is determined based on the highest number of matches won. When two or more teams are tied for the number of matches won, ties must be broken in accordance with the sequence in Rules 15.B.4.a through 15.B.4.f. The method that succeeds in breaking the tie will be used to rank all tied teams.
15.B.4.f Fifth Tie-Breaker. The fifth tie-breaker is the highest number of points scored across all matches in the round robin. This tie-breaker does not apply across multiple pools where the number of teams in each pool is not equal.
Reason for this change:
Added a fifth tiebreaker in a round robin to decide standings.
Additional insight:
Although rare it is possible that in a small Round Robin that all teams could have identical won loss records. This would take the total number of points scored as the fifth ties breaker for standings. Example: Teams A, B, C play. Scores are: A verses B 11-5, B verses C 11-1, C verses A 11-2. A has 11+2 =13 points, B has 5+11 = 16 points, C has 1+11 points = 12. B is the winner followed by A then C.
2025 Rule:
13.J. Challenging Referee Rulings or Decisions. If a player disagrees with a referee’s ruling or decision, that player may challenge the referee’s ruling or decision by asking for the Head Referee, Tournament Director, or the Tournament Director’s designee. If the referee’s ruling or decision is determined to be correct, the player or team will lose a time-out and be given a technical warning (see 13.G.1.g). If no time-outs are available and the referee’s ruling is correct, the player/team will be given a technical foul (see 13.G.2.d). When the referee’s ruling or decision is incorrect, the ruling will be reversed and, if applicable, the rally will be replayed.
2026 Rule:
20.J Officiating Decision Challenge. Players may appeal any officiating decision to the Head Referee or Tournament Director. 20.J.1 Rescinding Challenge Request. After a request for the Head Referee or Tournament Director has been acknowledged by the referee, the player may rescind the request; however, the player or team will be charged a standard time-out. When a standard time-out is not available, the referee will assess a technical foul against the player or team.
Reason for this change:
Players may request a Head Referee or Tournament Director to resolve an on-court issue, even if an official is not present. This often causes a delay in play. The rule change makes it a penalty to request a Head Referee or Tournament Director and then withdraw the request after benefiting from the delay. For the reason given by the submitter. The referee does not “record” Head Referee requests. The amendment therefore clarifies the point in time that the request cannot be rescinded. After the Head Referee or Tournament Director has been officially summoned.
Additional Information:
Players need to be aware of Rule 20. J.2 Technical Warning or Technical Foul – Correct Ruling by Referee. When the Head Referee or Tournament Director concurs with a referee’s ruling, the referee will assess a technical warning and charge a standard time-out against the singles player or doubles team that challenged the ruling. When a standard time-out is not available, the referee will assess a technical foul against the player or team. The on-court referee will not advise the player to call or rescind their call for the Head Referee or Tournament Director. The referee can advise the player on how many standard time outs they have remaining.
2025 Rule:
10.B. Medical Time-Out. A player needing medical attention during a match should request a medical time-out from the referee. Once the medical time-out has been requested, the following guidelines shall be used: 10.B.1. The referee shall immediately summon on-site medical personnel, or the Tournament Director if no medical personnel are present, to assess the situation and render appropriate first aid. 10.B.1.a. When medical personnel or the Tournament Director arrive, the referee shall start the 15-minute timer. 10.B.2. If medical personnel, or the Tournament Director, if no medical personnel are present, determine that a valid medical condition exists, then that player will be allowed no more than 15 minutes for the medical time-out.
2026 Rules:
21.C.4 Rescinding Medical Time-Out Request. If the player rescinds the medical time-out after the medical personnel have been called and before they have arrived, a standard time-out will be charged and the medical time-out will not be charged. When a standard time-out is not available, the referee will assess a technical foul against the player or team for delay of game.
Reason for this change:
Players may request a medical time-out, which usually results in a stoppage of play while medical staff travel to the court. If a player rescinds the medical time-out after causing this delay, they will be charged a regular time-out. If the player has no time-outs remaining, a technical foul will be assessed for the delay in play. This revision clarifies the conditions under which a medical time-out request can be rescinded. It is not appropriate to charge a medical time-out before medical personnel arrive, as that timing is beyond the player’s control. The amended rule also allows a player to rescind the request, typically just moments after it is made—without forfeiting their medical time-out.
Additional Information:
Players needing medical attention are encouraged to stop the match and request medical support. Some players find however that after a minute they are not injured and are able to continue. If the referee or court monitor has summoned the medical team the player has two choices. They can use their standard time out or continue with the one medical time out and receive treatment. If they elect to rescind their medical time out and have no standard time outs remaining, their delay of the game will result in a Technical Foul for Delay of Game. The on-court referee will not advise the player to continue or to rescind the medical time out. The referee can advise the player on how many standard time outs they have remaining.
2025 Rule:
30. 2378: Scoring the Game-Winning Point – Rally Scoring 2025 Rule: 4.F.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A player or team scores a point for each rally won except game point is scored only when serving.
2026 Rule:
14.A.2 Point Scoring. A point is scored by the singles player or doubles team that wins each rally. 15.C.2 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Match Formats. The Tournament Director has the option to use rally scoring except for double-elimination doubles events, all 2026 USA Pickleball Golden Ticket events, and the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championship events. The tournament rally scoring options are: 15.C.2.a One game to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points. 15.C.2.b Best 2-of-3 games to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points. 15.C.2.c Best 3-of-5 games to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points. 15.C.2.d For inclement weather considerations, the Tournament Director may approve game scoring to 7 points with an end change at 4 points in a single-game match or the tie-breaker game of a multiple-game match.
Reason for this change:
USA Pickleball conducted extensive research on rally scoring using a third-party firm. The firm analyzed hours of recorded rally-scoring matches and observed players of various skill levels playing rally-scoring games in multiple formats at a private facility. Based on this research, USA Pickleball has elected to continue with rally scoring as a provisional format for 2026. Tournaments may use rally scoring under the conditions outlined in Rule 15.C.2. Research and polling conducted at USA Pickleball, APP, and other tournaments showed that most players and spectators preferred awarding a point on every serve, including when the receiving player has game point. Under the 2025 rules, a receiver could not be awarded a point if it would end the game. This rule was changed for 2026.
Additional Information:
In 2026, when the receiving team has game point, they can win the rally and thereby win the game or match, since a point is now awarded on every rally. This change was requested by a majority of players. USA Pickleball will continue to study rally scoring and will decide in 2027 whether to extend the provisional period, make the format permanent, or discontinue its use in sanctioned tournaments.
