The World Pickleball Federation (WPF), the international governing body for the sport of pickleball, has announced a historic milestone: pickleball was contested as a full participating sport at the 2026 World Maccabi Games in Jerusalem, Israel, which concluded this month. The World Maccabi Games is among the largest international multi-sport events in the world, and pickleball's inclusion represents a landmark moment for the sport and for WPF's mission to bring pickleball to the global Olympic movement.
The achievement is the culmination of a multi-year effort led by WPF:
- 2022 — WPF secured pickleball's approval as an exhibition sport at the World Maccabi Games.
- 2023 — WPF gained acceptance of pickleball as an exhibition sport at the Asian Games, held in China.
- 2025 — WPF advanced pickleball to a full participating sport at the World Maccabi Games. The Games were subsequently postponed to 2026 due to the war.
- 2026 — The Games concluded with pickleball competed as a full medal sport for the first time.
As the international governing body of pickleball since 2018, WPF has invested the time, resources, and financial commitment required to build the sport's presence on the world stage, working toward the day pickleball is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Pickleball's acceptance as a full sport at the 2026 World Maccabi Games — an IOC Sanctioned event — is a significant step toward WPF's recognition as the sport's International Federation by the IOC.
While more than one organisation claims to represent pickleball internationally, WPF believes it has set itself apart through concrete action rather than rhetoric — demonstrating, through results at events of this scale, that pickleball is ready to take the next logical step toward IOC recognition and eventual full participation at a future Olympic Games.
About the World Pickleball Federation
Founded in 2018, the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) serves as the international governing body for the sport of pickleball, dedicated to growing and unifying the game worldwide and advancing its recognition within the international sporting movement, including by the International Olympic Committee.