USA Pickleball is the national governing body for pickleball in the United States, the organization behind the official rulebook that governs how the game is played on virtually every court in the country. Founded in 1984 as the USA Pickleball Association, it publishes annual rule updates, tests and approves paddles and balls for sanctioned play, certifies referees, sanctions tournaments nationwide including the USA Pickleball National Championships, and runs the ambassador program that has seeded local pickleball communities for decades. Individual memberships support the sport’s growth and include member benefits, while the organization’s site serves as the authoritative source for rules, equipment standards, and official rankings information.