FFT license and pickleball: what the delegation changes for players
Published 24 October 2026 Revised 24 October 2026 4 minutes to read
The editorial team of Le Tableau du Dimanche.
We're opening the guide "FFT license and pickleball: what the delegation changes for players" the way you'd open an archive folder: methodically. You'll learn what the federation license is for and why it's tied to an FFT club.
The essential definitions
Before going further, take a look at the definitions recorded below.
Double bounce rule
The double bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.
An example from the file: the receiver lets the serve bounce, then the server lets the return bounce before being allowed to volley.
For the full entry, see Double bounce rule.
Dedicated pickleball club
A dedicated pickleball club is an organization devoted entirely to this sport.
Here's a case we noted for the occasion: in Nîmes, a club devoted entirely to pickleball was announced as the first in the South.
For the full entry, see Dedicated pickleball club.
How it works in detail
On the written rules, the source says: the Fédération française de tennis (FFT) received the delegation of pickleball from the Ministry of Sports, announced on January 2, 2026.
A regulatory note for the record: the ministerial delegation gives the FFT official responsibility for organizing the practice of pickleball in France.
As a matter of principle, note this: according to Padel Magazine, the ministry chose the FFT for its expertise in racket sports, its dense local network and its proven ability to take on new disciplines like padel and beach tennis. Jot that principle down in your own notes.
According to the cited text, Padel Magazine reports that the FFT can now set the official rules of play, organize national competitions and issue pickleball licenses.
What to do
On to the next step: the FFT provides an interactive map of FFT clubs offering pickleball, so you can find where to play.
What to weigh
The criteria below work as a grid for comparing and ranking your options.
- Pickleball is one of the activities folded into the FFT, alongside padel, beach tennis and para tennis.
- The FFT relies on its network of clubs, leagues and departmental committees to speed up the growth of pickleball across the country.
Do you need a license to play?
Take this case: a club in Nîmes (174 rue du Pied Ferme), presented as the first in the South of France devoted entirely to pickleball, was announced for the end of March 2026.
A provision noted in the texts: under the delegation, the FFT must develop pickleball from the grassroots to the elite level, organize the French championships, build the elite pathway (national teams), and set and enforce the rules of the sport.
One example on file: pickleball was written into the FFT's bylaws in January 2024, two years before the ministerial delegation was granted.
What does the delegation mean?
A situation on record: other federations, including the Fédération française de badminton, were mentioned as possible overseers of pickleball before the ministry chose the FFT.
According to the cited source, when the delegation was announced (January 2026), the FFT counted nearly 30,000 pickleball players in France for 3,500 licenses.
Closing the guide
Here's the order of the pieces you've just gone through: the essential definitions, how it works in detail, what to do and what to weigh. Keep this guide close at hand and reopen it whenever you want to cross-check a reference.
You may also like
- Joining a pickleball club: FFT license and registration — Clubs, licenses and how the federation organizes pickleball. Browse the basic principles and the terms you'll want to know in practice.
- How to find a pickleball club near you — You'll know how to look for a club that offers pickleball and what to ask before you sign up. Sorted criteria to help you decide.
- Club leaders: turning tennis courts into pickleball courts — You'll learn how to estimate how many courts you can fit and where the federal steps come in. Sections: the case studied and the concepts to know.
- French Championships and the French national team: how the top level is structured — You'll learn how the FFT organizes the French championships and national teams. In this file, you'll read: the words to define first.
Our sources
- La Fédération française de tennis obtient la délégation du pickleball — Delegation of January 2, 2026, the FFT's missions, participation figures (about 30,000 players, 3,500 license holders, 850 clubs). Version consulted as of 2026-10-15.
- La FFT obtient la délégation officielle du pickleball en France — Responsibilities given to the FFT (rules, competitions, licenses, training) and background to the decision. Version consulted as of 2026-10-15.
- Le pickleball — FFT landing page: rules, officiating, rankings, competitions, club map and teaching resources. Version consulted as of 2026-10-15.
- La FFT a la délégation du pickleball : ça veut dire quoi ? — Explanation of the delegation, inclusion in the FFT's bylaws in January 2024, participation figures. Version consulted as of 2026-10-15.
- Nîmes : le premier club du Sud entièrement dédié au pickleball ouvrira fin mars — Example of a dedicated club (indoor and outdoor courts) and the inclusion of pickleball in the FFT as of January 1, 2026. Version consulted as of 2026-10-15.
The federal framework for pickleball in France has been evolving since the 2026 delegation: check licenses, fees and regulations on the FFT website before you sign up for anything.
How this article was checked
This article draws on 5 sources: 2 reference organizations and 3 press articles.
The facts were checked against their sources on October 15, 2026.
The method we followed: Sources and verification.