The United Pickleball Association of America has released a new standalone rulebook governing competition on the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, introducing stricter penalties, expanded conduct rules and changes to officiating ahead of the 2026 season. The 71-page document will come into effect from May 22, just before the opening Major League Pickleball event in Dallas. It also distinguishes between amateur and professional rules, reflecting differences in competitive structure.
Besides the rulebook, UPA-A confirmed two key appointments. Referee Onisha Smith has been named Director of Competitive Governance and Compliance, while Howard Hepworth will take over as Director of Referee Training and Development. Hepworth will also lead a new referee program aimed at training and evaluating officials at the highest level of the sport.
At the professional level, the rulebook introduces tighter controls on video challenges. Teams will be allowed one free challenge per game, but unsuccessful reviews will now carry escalating penalties. A failed challenge results in the loss of the free challenge, followed by a “Mark” if no prior infraction exists. If a team has already received a Mark or Foul, an additional Mark is issued and a point is awarded to the opponent.
Pickleball’s New Rulebook Arrives: UPA-A Tightens Challenges, Conduct And Officiating
Major League Pickleball will also introduce automated officiating support through a partnership with Owl AI, which will provide line-calling and in-match challenge systems from the 2026 season.
The rulebook expands behavioral enforcement through a structured penalty system. A “Mark”, also referred to as a Blue Card, applies to unsportsmanlike conduct such as repeated profanity, arguing with officials, deliberate distractions or disruptions to match flow. Marks also cover procedural violations including delays between rallies, failure to be ready within the 15-second limit, and improper timeouts.
More serious or repeated violations result in a “Foul” or Orange Card, which carries an automatic point penalty. Fouls accumulate over a match and can lead to further sanctions.
The updated rules also address fair play violations more directly, including illegal coaching, unauthorized electronic use and repeated infractions during matches.
One of the most discussed changes is a new rule prohibiting players from using airflow to influence the ball. From May 22, players will not be allowed to blow, fan or otherwise alter the ball’s trajectory using air movement.
The rule states: “A player may not attempt to influence, propel, or alter the ball’s flight by any means other than a legal paddle strike (eg, blowing on or fanning the ball, directing airflow, or using any object, apparel, or body movement to affect its path). A violation of this rule is a fault.”
The clarification follows recent debate around an incident at the Sacramento Open involving Eric Oncins. UPA-A addressed the issue, noting: “Actions such as blowing the ball over the net, while not currently prohibited, do not align with the level of professionalism and credibility the sport is striving to establish. As Pickleball continues to evolve, players will inevitably test the boundaries of the rules, and no rulebook can anticipate every possible scenario.
“Until May 22, 2026, blowing on the ball before or after it has been struck by a paddle remains legal under the current rules. In the instance where this action was penalized, the ruling was made in real time based on the referee’s judgment, experience, and interpretation of the rules. In all cases, participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with accepted standards of conduct and the spirit of fair play as the sport continues to grow.”
Onisha Smith said the rulebook is designed to bring consistency across competitions. “This rulebook is about more than rules, it’s about trust, consistency and the integrity of competition,” she said. “Our goal was to create a standard that can be applied uniformly while still respecting the realities of match play.”
UPA-A President Jason Aspes said the changes reflect a long-term approach to the sport’s development. “These are foundational steps for the future of competitive pickleball. Rules and officiating shape the integrity of the sport. With a unified rulebook, a formal referee development program and experienced leadership in place, UPA-A is building the infrastructure needed to support the game at the highest levels.”
The full rulebook has been made publicly available and will guide both professional and amateur competitions moving forward.
