Pickleball is getting closer to the Olympic Games with this merger of the WPF and IPF

The world of pickleball is undergoing a major institutional transformation. After years of rapid growth, numerous international organizations have emerged to manage the development of this popular sport.

But in 2025 , a new major step was taken: the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) and the International Pickleball Federation (IPF, sometimes still called IFP in its history) decided to join forces to create a single global entity , with the clear and ambitious goal of putting pickleball on the Olympic bid . 

Unifying global pickleball: why now?

Pickleball, a racquet sport that originated in the United States in the 1960s, has become a global phenomenon , with millions of players in dozens of countries. This spectacular growth, however, has been accompanied by a fragmented institutional landscape, with several federations claiming to represent the sport internationally. 

Among them:

• The International Pickleball Federation (IPF) : initially founded in 2010 as IFP and then reorganized as IPF in 2023, with a mission to develop pickleball internationally and a large base of member countries. 
• The World Pickleball Federation (WPF) : created in 2018 by Seymour Rifkind , an influential figure in the pickleball community and president of the WPF, with a strong emphasis on global growth, inclusion and structuring of the sport. 

Although these two bodies shared similar objectives, including the global expansion of the sport, the absence of a single body limited the credibility of the pickleball community with international sporting bodies, particularly the International Olympic Committee (IOC) .

A historic merger for a single voice

On November 15, 2024 , the IPF and the WPF publicly announced their intention to merge into a single global organization , with a strong commitment to the growth, inclusivity, and democratic governance of the sport. This announcement was hailed as a key step toward the international recognition of pickleball. 

On June 16, 2025 , during Extraordinary General Meetings (SGMs), the members of each of the two organizations unanimously voted in favor of this merger . The new unified organization will operate under the name World Pickleball Federation (WPF), a symbolic choice highlighting the desire to unite all national federations under a coherent banner. 

Transparent and democratic governance

The structure of the new WPF is designed to meet the standards required by the IOC:

• A “One Country One Vote” system , guaranteeing equal representation between member nations. 
• The establishment of a headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland) , a city that symbolizes world sport and is the home of the IOC, in order to be in close institutional proximity to decision-makers. 
• Strong commitments to transparency, ethics, anti-doping and governance in accordance with international standards (WADA, Olympic Charter). 

Seymour Rifkind: The Key Role of the WPF Chairman

Among the architects of this merger, Seymour Rifkind , president of the WPF, played a central role. Founder of the WPF and an emblematic figure in the global promotion of pickleball, Rifkind has often expressed the importance of a single governance structure for the sport. 

In a recent media appearance, he reaffirmed the vision of the new WPF:

“The pickleball community wants and needs a single international organization. With over 100 member countries and several years of experience, the new WPF is ready for IOC recognition, and we are pursuing our dream of seeing pickleball become an Olympic sport.”

— Seymour Rifkind, President of the WPF 

Rifkind also explained that this process still requires a lot of administrative and strategic work — including the creation of committees, the establishment of an elected board of directors and the preparation of documents for a formal application to the IOC. 

What impact will this have on pickleball's Olympic bid?

The merger of the IPF and the WPF brings pickleball considerably closer to its ultimate goal: to be recognized by the International Olympic Committee and to be included in the Olympic Games program . 

As a reminder :

• The IOC requires a single global body to recognize a sport and consider its integration into the Games. 
• Democratic governance that complies with international standards is essential. 
• The presence of a solid global base of member countries is another key criterion. 

Thanks to the merger, the new body can now present itself with a consolidated structure, clear governance rules and a strong international representative , elements that the IOC takes into account in the evaluation of new sports. 

Some observers believe that recognition could be conceivable for the Brisbane 2032 or Los Angeles 2028 games, although the latter remains less likely given the remaining timeframe. 

An invitation to other organizations

The new structure does not close the door to other pickleball stakeholders. On the contrary, the WPF and the IPF have opened their doors to organizations like the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) to consider a broader unification of the international movement , thus further consolidating the voice of pickleball on a global scale. 

This desire to unite is considered by many to be essential to building a truly strong global community , transcending institutional divisions. 

In summary: towards a new era for world pickleball

The announcement of the merger between the International Pickleball Federation and the World Pickleball Federation marks a major turning point for global pickleball. This merger process:

• This puts an end to institutional fragmentation that had previously hindered international recognition. 
• Create a single, transparent, and democratic global body. 
• Significantly increases pickleball's chances of being included in the Olympic Games. 
• Positions the new WPF as the main interlocutor with the IOC, national federations and the international public. 

While many steps remain to be taken to validate an Olympic bid, the path is now clearer, more unified, and more structured . The coming months and years will be crucial in determining whether pickleball, a sport experiencing a surge in global popularity, will make its debut on the Olympic stage. 

FAQ

1. Which two entities decided to merge?

The World Pickleball Federation (WPF) and the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) have announced their merger to form a unified global body. 

2. Why is this merger important for the Olympic Games?

The IOC requires a single, internationally recognized body for a sport to be considered for the Games. The merger addresses this need. 

3. What is the name of the new organization?

The new organization will operate under the name World Pickleball Federation (WPF) . 

4. Where will the headquarters of this new federation be based?

The headquarters should be established in Lausanne, Switzerland , the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. 

5. What is Seymour Rifkind's role in this process?

Seymour Rifkind, president of the WPF, played a key role in the unification, advocating for strong and transparent international governance and articulating the Olympic ambition.