Hi Everyone,

Please see below for important topics relevant to USPA Club Members.

FIP’S NEW OUTSIDE PLAY REGULATIONS

FIP has updated the regulations regarding the safety area and out-of-court play. Whilst these requirements are not mandated for play in the USA, nor for all USPA circuit events at this stage, they are important for those considering new developments and for ensuring that your current access for outside play is as safe as possible. We have seen some clubs without padding on their entryways, and these should always be padded. “For out-of-court play, each side of the court must have 2 access points. There cannot be any obstacles outside the court within an area that is at least 3 meters wide (4 meters is recommended), 4 meters long on either side, and at least 3 meters high (see diagram). The access (doorway) must be protected on its three sides: lateral and upper sides, as well as the net post, with a product to cushion against player contact (i.e., spongy rubber, rubber, neoprene, etc.) with a thickness not less than 2cm. These protections must be firmly fixed to the metal structure and to the posts, with sufficient fasteners or Velcro to ensure the effectiveness of the anti-shock cushion and to minimize as much as possible interference with the game due to their projection into the court's inner space.”

IAPPF GLOBAL CONFERENCE AT RACQUET X

The International Association of Pickleball and Padel Facilities (IAPPF) is partnering with RacquetX to host the IAPPF Global Conference — running March 13–15 alongside the RacquetX convention, featuring dedicated sessions for facility operators, investors, and industry leaders.

The USPA is a proud sponsor and partner of the IAPPF, and will play a central role throughout the event. Sessions cover everything from facility management and marketing to human resources and the latest industry data.

Through the USPA’s sponsorship of the IAPPF and your USPA Club Membership, we are able to offer you and your club staff Complimentary Admission to the IAPPF Global Conference.

Visit www.iappf.org and use code IAPPFinv to register for free.

CLUB MEMBER MONTHLY CALLS

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our February Monthly Club Member Meeting. For those who missed the session or would like to review it, the full recap is now available at this link, which includes the Zoom replay, passcode, and a detailed summary of our TMS training and Q&A. While you are reviewing the materials, please also take a moment to register for next month’s session by clicking here to stay updated on our upcoming 2026 tournament support and initiatives.

USPA CLUB MEMBER GROUP CHAT

The USPA has a Member Club WhatsApp group for updates. This group is set to Admin-only messages and will be used to share updates, such as the ones above. It is recommended that club owners and managers join this group to ensure they receive important updates. Click here on your phone to join the WhatsApp Group.

BECOME A USPA LEVEL 1 OFFICIAL

The next course begins in March, and it is a requirement for all tournaments after April 1, 2026, to have a trained Official on-site. To learn more, visit this link.

United States Padel Association – Uniting Padel Enthusiasts, Shaping the Future of the Sport.