When Will Pickleball Be Included In The Olympics?


With the Paris, 2024 Olympics set to start later this week, it got me thinking about whether or when pickleball might become an Olympic sport.

The fact is others thought of that several years ago and have been working toward that goal.

In particular, Steve Sidwell has been at the forefront of that effort.

Steve has served various roles in pickleball organizations. He is currently the Vice-President of the Global Pickleball Federation. He is the former membership director of the International Pickleball Federation.

Generally, for a sport to be considered for the Olympics, it must be played in an organized fashion by men in a minimum of 75 countries on four continents. Similarly, it must be played by women in a minimum of 40 countries on three continents.

Currently, it is played in over 60 countries on three continents.

Pickleball is not part of the Paris Olympics this year.

There had been hopes that it might be included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but that is looking increasingly doubtful.

The International Olympic Committee sets limits on the number of sports that can be included in the Olympics.

There are several other sports under consideration including cricket, lacrosse, squash, flag football, and the possible return of baseball/softball.

There is still some hope that pickleball may be a demonstration sport even at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

If not Paris, it will likely be a demonstration sport at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

But probably the soonest it could be included as an Olympic sport would be at the Brisbane, Australia Olympics in 2032.

Almost all people associated with pickleball are passionate about it.

And with the sport's continued growth and popularity, there is no doubt it will one day be included in the Olympics.

Just not yet.

But, we will stay optimistic!