European federation votes 17-1 to engage with both world pickleball bodies
Short answer: At its annual meeting on 30 June 2026, the European Pickleball Federation approved, by 17 votes to 1, a motion letting its Board apply for continental membership of both the World Pickleball Federation and the Global Pickleball Federation, on a neutral and non-exclusive basis.
Pickleball does not yet have a single recognised international federation. The EPF's July 2026 statement shows where Europe stands.
What was decided
The motion authorises the EPF Board to apply for Continental Membership of both organisations. The EPF says this is not a choice of one over the other. It also lets the Board negotiate terms and safeguards, and keeps its right to withdraw from either or both memberships.
Why it matters
The EPF had previously stayed neutral and did not affiliate with either body. It says its long-term position is unchanged: pickleball is best served by one unified, democratic and IOC-compliant international federation. President Frank Arico said: "Europe is not choosing sides - Europe is choosing unity."
Background
The EPF was created on 31 May 2023 in Luxembourg and now has 38 member countries. Its stated objectives include growing the sport and representing European pickleball interests internationally.
Update: on 4 August 2026 the EPF announced it had been welcomed as a Continental Member of the World Pickleball Federation, following the AGM vote (see our follow-up).
For the Olympic angle on why a single federation matters, see our Olympic path explainer.
Sources
Sources checked 14 Oct 2026. Header photo: Pickleball courts surrounded by tall pine trees, by Michael Rivera, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
