Federal pickleball ranking: how it works and when it's published

Pull up a chair in front of the file “Federal pickleball ranking: how it works and when it's published,” every piece of which has been referenced. You'll learn how points add up and when the ranking is updated.

In brief: FFT pickleball rankings are published every quarter (November, February, May and August). The FFT pickleball ranking provides age equivalences for the +50 and +70 categories. The FFT pickleball ranking is published every three months on the federation's website, in November, February, May and August.

The notions you need to have at hand

Turn to these vocabulary entries whenever a word stops you.

Pickleball-only club

A pickleball-only club is a facility entirely devoted to this sport.

Take a case noted for the occasion: in Nîmes, a club entirely dedicated to pickleball was announced as the first in the South.

See Pickleball-only club to read the full definition.

Double-bounce rule

The double-bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.

Here's how to picture the term: the receiver lets the serve bounce, then the server lets the return bounce before they can volley.

For the full entry, see Double-bounce rule.

How it works, up close

Regulatory note on file: with the delegation, the FFT can set the official sports rules, organize national competitions, issue licenses and train coaches and referees.

Regulatory note on file: the Fédération française de tennis (FFT) received delegation of pickleball from the Ministry of Sports on January 2, 2026. It's now responsible for organizing the sport in France.

As for the written rules, the source says: sanctioning a pickleball tournament costs €32 whatever the level. The request goes through the ADOC app. A JAT1, JAT2 or JAT3 referee has to be present throughout the tournament.

Regulatory note on file: pickleball tournaments are open to all FFT license holders, whether they hold a multi-racket or a pickleball license.

What to base your decision on

An entry for your reading grid: the FFT pickleball ranking has three level series: 3.0 for first-time competitors, 4.0 for the intermediate level and 5.0 for the elite level.

When is the ranking published?

Take this case: the three inventors of pickleball, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, created the game to keep their children busy. They used ping-pong paddles, a Wiffle ball and a lowered badminton net.

Noted in the sources: the first official FFT pickleball ranking was published on November 5, 2024. It takes into account tournaments from the past 12 months.

As a documented illustration, pickleball was born in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, in Washington State, in the United States.

Which formats count?

Verified and dated: the pickleball net described by the FFT is 6.70 m wide, with a height of 86 cm at the center and 91 cm at the posts.

According to the text cited, a pickleball match is generally played as one set of 11 or 15 points, win by two, according to the FFT.

Noted in the sources: the FFT Club license costs €33 for adults and €23 for ages 7-18, the same price as the 2025-2026 multi-racket license.

Related documents

We've filed the points to know below, one per line.

• Starting with the 2026-2027 season, the FFT Club license gives access to tennis, padel, beach tennis, pickleball and real tennis (courte paume), for recreation and competition alike. There's no longer a single-sport annual license.
• A pickleball tournament can only be sanctioned by the FFT if it's organized by an affiliated club, a structure authorized by the FFT, a departmental committee or a regional league.

To wrap up

Before you close the file, reread its contents: the notions you need to have at hand, how it works up close, what to base your decision on and related documents. File this sheet with your papers and reread it when you're rested.

You may also like

• Self-assessment: are you ready for 3.0 competition? — You'll be able to check that you've mastered the rules before entering 3.0. Sections filed on this page: the concepts you need to have down.
• K25 to K1000 tournaments: read the category before you sign up — You'll be able to compare tournament categories and how many are held each year. Sections to browse: the terms to know and what's at stake up close.
• Singles, doubles, mixed: choosing your competition format — You'll know which formats exist and which one suits your profile. In this overview, you'll find the essential definitions.
• Levels 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0: where do you fit? — You'll be able to place your level among the three federal categories. Sections to browse: the starting findings in detail and the key terms to know.

Our sources

• Tout comprendre à la compétition du pickleball — Tournament pyramid (K25 to K1000), levels 3.0/4.0/5.0 and quarterly ranking updates. Document accessed 2026-10-15, before layout.
• Règles, arbitrage & classement du pickleball — Officiating documents and quarterly ranking. Document accessed 2026-10-30, before layout.
• La FFT obtient la délégation officielle du pickleball en France — Responsibilities given to the FFT (rules, competitions, licenses, training) and the background to the decision. Document accessed 2026-10-15, before layout.
• La FFT a la délégation du pickleball : ça veut dire quoi ? — Explanation of the delegation, integration into the FFT statutes in January 2024, participation figures. Document accessed 2026-10-15, before layout.
• Homologation des tournois de pickleball FFT — Who can organize, sanctioning levels, fees, deadlines and the referee. Document accessed 2026-10-30, before layout.
• Le premier classement de pickleball est sorti ! — Launch of the official FFT pickleball ranking, series and calculation. Document accessed 2026-10-30, before layout.
• What is Pickleball? — Basic rules, court dimensions, equipment and the origins of the sport (American federation). Document accessed 2026-10-15, before layout.
• Découvrir le pickleball : les règles — Federal summary of the rules: no-volley zone, serve, scoring, equipment. Document accessed 2026-10-30, before layout.
• Tout savoir sur licence Club FFT — Prices, sports covered and changes to licenses for 2026-2027. Document accessed 2026-10-30, before layout.

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The federal framework for pickleball in France has been evolving since the 2026 delegation: check licenses, fees and rules on the FFT website before you register.

How this article was verified

This article draws on 9 sources: 7 reference bodies and 2 press articles.

The facts were checked against their sources on October 15, 2026.

The method we followed: Sources and verification.