It’s that time once again when USA Pickleball rolls out its annual pickleball rule changes for the coming year. For those that submitted a potential rule change, the verdict of such proposed changes is now in.
The process for the 2026 pickleball rule changes that began with USA Pickleball members’ suggested changes in April of 2025 – and after pickleball rules committee and board of directors approval – culminates with a target implementation date of January 1, 2026.
114 Proposed Changes for 2026
According to the New Rulebook Database, there were 114 suggested USA Pickleball rule changes for 2026 – down slightly from the 133 changes proposed a year earlier.
Approved by USA Pickleball for 2026
It is important to note that any paid USA Pickleball member may submit a proposed rule change for 2026 as long as it was submitted between April 1, 2025 and June 1, 2025.
Once submitted and collected in the New Rulebook Database, these proposed changes were then subject to public comment until June 15, 2025. Shortly thereafter, they were reviewed by the USA Pickleball Rules Committee and were ultimately given the thumbs up or thumbs down by the USA Pickleball Board of Directors.
Of the 114 suggested rule changes, 72 were disapproved, 23 were approved and another 19 were approved with amendments. While most of the approved (or approved with amendments) changes were simple wordsmith changes, formatting changes or simple clarifications, we wanted to underscore four of the more substantial approved changes for 2026.
1. Rally Scoring Wining Point
This rule change (a change to Rule #12.B.1.c) now simply states that the game-winning point when using rally scoring can now be scored by either the serving player or team or the receiving player or team. The rule previously stated that only the game-winning point could be scored by the serving team. This potential freeze at game point created an unfair advantage for the trailing team as they could score points as the receiving team, but the team frozen could not. I like this new rule.
2. Paddle Spin on the Serve
As an instructor, I field the question about the legality of imparting spin on one’s serve quite frequently. Rule #7.B.2 now adds clarification that – although spin is not permitted prior to contact with the ball during the serve – spin may, indeed, be applied to the serve at contact by the paddle. This is a much needed and helpful clarification.
3. Solution to the “Flat Serve” Problem (No Upward Arc)
The legality of the pickleball volley serve has always seemingly been a point of contention. After all, three criteria must be met when executing this serve and, as such, it is very difficult to determine in real time if all three criteria are, indeed, met: an upward arc, paddle head above the wrist at contact and contact below the waist.
The change for 2026 is simply to add the word, “clear” or “clearly.” The reworded rule now states that the server’s paddle must be moving in a clear upward arc when the paddle contacts the ball (Rule # 7.C.1), the highest point of the paddle head must clearly not be above the highest part of the server’s wrist joint when the paddle contacts the ball (Rule # 7.C.2 ) and the ball must clearly be no higher than the server’s waist when the paddle contacts the ball (Rule # 7.C.3).
Honestly, I’m not convinced that will help anything. In fact, I’m pretty sure it won’t.
4. Prompt Line Calls
The prompt line calls revision just attempts to codify some common-sense into the timing of “out” calls (Rules #8.F.3). Getting into the weeds of this discussion isn’t likely useful, unless you are a referee. Common sense should prevail and “out” calls should continue to be made (verbally or with hand signals) promptly.
Admittedly, calling these four examples substantial changes may, indeed, reek of hyperbole. This lack of huge changes is, no doubt, good for the sport. As the Rulebook change process is now an annual and transparent process, the changes become less-and-less substantial over the years No longer is the sport consistently dealing with chainsaw serves or other big-ticket items. The changes now are mere tweaks and subtle changes to make the game we love even better.
Criteria for Consideration
While there were initially 114 suggested pickleball rule changes for 2026, not all were seriously considered. For example, permitting overhand serving was a suggested change, but surely received zero support.
To be seriously considered – and ultimately approved – all proposed changes must be deemed to preserve the integrity of the sport, improve the player experience and/or minimize conflict (between players and/or referees).
Let us know in the comments below if USA Pickleball members, the rules committee, and, ultimately, the Board of Directors got it right. Are the approved rule changes beneficial for the sport?
About Todd
Todd is the talent behind PickleballMAX. He knows pickleball and demonstrates it on the court as a 4.5 – 5.0 player. In addition to creating content and running the PickleballMAX business, Todd is IPTPA Level II certified. As an instructor at the Ohio Pickleball Academy, he instructs students and runs adult and youth clinics. He also manages tournament desks throughout the tri state for tournaments ranging from 100-500 participants.
