The international pickleball world hasn’t always been easy to explain in recent years. IPF, WPF, UWPF, continental federations, national federations, different structures, different voices. To many, this sounded like a fog of acronyms shrouding a sport that actually stands for something entirely different: simplicity, enthusiasm, camaraderie, and the joy of the game.
An important step has now been taken.
The International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) have successfully completed their merger, thereby marking a significant milestone in the global development of our sport. The merger initially gave rise to the Unified World Pickleball Federation (UWPF), which now operates once again under the name World Pickleball Federation (WPF).
The Swiss Pickleball Association was also part of this historic process. Our president attended the IPF General Meeting and voted in favor of the merger. As the Swiss association, we are thus actively supporting the move toward a unified, stronger, and more internationally supported pickleball structure.
This step means a great deal for Switzerland: We are now a full member of the new global structure of the UWPF, or WPF. This means that Switzerland is no longer just an observer of international developments, but an active part of the movement dedicated to advancing pickleball worldwide.
This merger is more than just an administrative act. It sends a message.
A sign that pickleball is coming of age.
A sign that associations are willing to take on shared responsibility.
A sign that the path to the Olympics is becoming clearer, more credible, and stronger.
The dream of pickleball at the Olympic Games is alive and well. And it’s not just somewhere far away from us—it’s alive in our clubs, on our courts, at our tournaments, in our schools, and in every Swiss pickleball community that passionately promotes this sport.
As the Swiss Pickleball Association, we support the European Pickleball Federation (EPF) and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) We are actively working toward this goal. Our objective is clear: Pickleball should receive the international recognition this sport deserves. As soon as possible. As strongly as possible. As collaboratively as possible.
We know that the road to the Olympics is challenging. It requires clear structures, good governance, international cooperation, fair competitions, trained referees, national federations that take responsibility, and a growing base of players.
That's exactly what we're working on.
Pickleball is growing rapidly in Switzerland. New clubs are popping up, sports centers are opening their courts, schools are discovering the sport, tournaments are getting bigger, the Swiss Pickleball Tour continues to evolve, and more and more people are experiencing what makes pickleball so special: You step onto the court and instantly feel like you’re part of something.
This international alliance is giving this development a boost. It makes the world of pickleball associations easier to understand. It brings forces together. It smooths the road to Olympics.
And he shows that pickleball is ready for the next stage.
We are proud that Switzerland is part of this movement.
We are proud to be actively involved.
And we're looking forward to everything that lies ahead.
Because when the pickleball community comes together, this young sport becomes a global force.
For Switzerland.
For Europe.
For the world.
And maybe one day: for the Olympics.