UPA-A Approved Pickleball Paddles: 2025-2026 List

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What Is the UPA-A?

The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) is the governing body tied to PPA Tour and MLP competition. For players, the simple version is this: UPA-A approval is an equipment standard for pro-level events, especially around paddle power, spin, construction, and how a paddle behaves after break-in.

UPA-A created its certification program in partnership with Pickle Pro Labs and the University of Massachusetts Lowell to address break-in manipulation, performance inconsistencies, and fairness in pro play.

That does not make this page a replacement for the USAP list. It means players now have to pay attention to which approval list their event actually uses. That is the part I see players miss most often. They hear “approved paddle” and assume that means approved everywhere. It does not always work that cleanly anymore.

Who Actually Needs a UPA-A Paddle?

This is the part most players should slow down and read. A UPA-A paddle is not automatically “better” than a USAP paddle. It just means the paddle has passed the approval process required for certain pro competitions.

Approval does not win points for you. It just keeps your paddle from becoming a problem before the match even starts. The paddle still has to fit your hand, your swing, your resets, your drives, and your ability to keep the ball down when the point gets ugly.

Full UPA-A Approved Paddle List

Note: Data verified from the UPA-A Official List and last checked for this page on July 24, 2026. The official site now tracks “Date Added”; we’ve omitted that column here for readability.

How to Read the UPA-A Table

• Thickness – important because a 14mm and 16mm version may need separate approval
• Brand – the official manufacturer or paddle brand listed by UPA-A
• Model – the approved paddle construction, not just the paint job
• Model # – the certification identifier that can matter during event enforcement

Note: Some brands, including Holbrook, Luzz, and Warping Point, may be approved only in blackout or logo-free form for certain pro events because of broadcast marketing rules. Also, some paddles share the same manufacturer model number even though they are sold as different products. UPA-A is focused on the approved construction, not every cosmetic version a player might see online.

That is why I do not like checking a paddle by name alone. A brand may sell similar-looking versions across different thicknesses, batches, surfaces, or cosmetic releases. If the event is serious enough to check paddles, the exact model details matter.

How to Check Your Paddle Before an Event

The biggest mistake is checking only the brand name. Close is not good enough if the event is enforcing paddle rules. You want the exact paddle, not the general family.

The simple rule: the tournament decides what is legal, not the paddle manufacturer’s marketing copy.

If I were packing for a serious event, I would check the paddle the same way I check start time and location. Not because I expect a problem every time, but because equipment surprises are the dumbest kind of stress. You do not want to find out at check-in that the paddle you practiced with all week is not the paddle your bracket allows.

How UPA-A Actually Tests Paddles

UPA-A certification is separate from USA Pickleball approval. UPA-A is not simply checking whether a paddle fits inside a rulebook. It is also checking whether that paddle still behaves after players put some miles on it.

Why does post-wear testing matter? Independent testing of one OWL CXE found that the paddle gained spin after accelerated wear rather than losing it. The broader OWL paddle approval investigation explains why that finding matters when an unconventional surface received provisional USAP approval before a direct spin test existed.

That last point matters more than players realize. Two paddles can look almost identical on a website, but if the construction, thickness, handle, or surface changes, the approval status may not carry over automatically. Before a serious event, check the exact model, not just the brand name.

For a deeper look at how UPA-A and USAP differ as approval systems, including the testing split, brand strategy, and what may happen next, read my USAP vs UPA-A paddle approval breakdown.

2026 UPA-A Approval Updates & What They Mean

More brands are now offering the same paddle family in elongated, hybrid, widebody, and standard shapes. That gives players more freedom to choose the reach, forgiveness, hand speed, and sweet-spot size that fits their game instead of choosing a paddle based on power alone.

July 2026 Approved Paddles

The biggest July update so far is the arrival of four new 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 paddles. UPA-A added the Hurache-X, Pegasus, Ultre, and Vapor versions on July 24, giving the control-focused Jelly Bean family four approved shapes under one release.

What I like here is that 11SIX24 did not force every player into the same shape. The Hurache-X gives you more reach with an elongated shape, the Vapor uses a familiar hybrid shape, the Pegasus gives you a wider face with a widebody shape, and the Ultre sits closer to a traditional square shape. Same Jelly Bean 2 idea, four different ways to fit it to your game.

The Jelly Bean line has always made more sense for players who care about control, touch, and keeping the ball manageable. The Power 2 line is there when you want more pop. With four Jelly Bean 2 shapes now approved, players can stay on the control side and choose the shape that feels right in their hand.

June 2026 Approved Paddles

June was not the biggest approval month by volume, but it had a few names players are likely to recognize. The two that jump out most are the Facolos Elite X 2.0 Gabe Tardio and the RPM Q2 models. One has a pro-player storyline attached to it. The other sits right in the middle of the full-foam performance paddle conversation.

• Facolos Elite X 2.0 Gabe Tardio – A 16mm Gabe Tardio model added on June 30. This is the June approval I would expect more players to ask about because Tardio gives the paddle an immediate pro-player hook, and the Elite X line already had attention from players curious about pop, spin, and control.
• RPM Q2 Widebody 14mm & Q2 Elongated 16mm – RPM added both the Q2 Widebody 14mm and Q2 Elongated 16mm in June. The Q2 is worth watching because full-foam paddles are still one of the more interesting categories in 2026, especially for players who want power but do not want the paddle to feel wild in the soft game.
• Wika QD Fire 2 – Wika’s QD Fire 2 was added on June 30. Wika has been getting more attention from players following international paddle brands, especially around the Fire and Air lines, so this approval gives curious players another model to check before pro-level play.
• Thrive Project Fury – Thrive’s Project Fury was added on June 18 as a 16mm approved model.

If players ask me about June, I’m watching three things first: the Gabe Tardio Facolos model, the RPM Q2 shapes, and whether Wika keeps showing up in more paddle conversations. The other approvals still belong on the list, but those are the ones I would expect people to actually ask about on court.

May 2026 Approved Paddles

May was one of the busier UPA-A approval months of 2026. What jumped out was not just the number of additions. It was how many new paddles were chasing the same player problems: more stability, more power, more foam-core feel, and more shape options for players who do not all want the same paddle in their hand.

• Selkirk Omni Elongated & Omni Widebody – Selkirk’s Omni line joined the UPA-A list on May 29, giving players both elongated and widebody 16mm options from one of the most watched paddle launches of the month.
• SixZero Coral Pro Series – SixZero added multiple Coral Pro variants, including the RCD, RCD-W, and RCD-E. These approvals matter because the Coral family already had attention from players who like spin-friendly control paddles.
• SixZero Black Opal All Court Max Power RCD – A 14mm Black Opal model for players who want more pop and offensive response while staying inside the UPA-A certified list.
• Honolulu J3CR & J6CR – Honolulu expanded its CR lineup with the J3CR and J6CR, adding more shape and feel options for players already following the brand’s J-series paddles.
• 11SIX24 Ultre Power 2 – 11SIX24 continued its strong 2026 approval run with the Ultre Power 2, a 16mm model worth watching for players who want modern power without jumping into the most expensive part of the paddle wall.
• Luzz Cannon2 M1, Glider, and Inferno-Frozen – Luzz had several May approvals, including the Cannon2 M1, Glider, and Inferno-Frozen, continuing the brand’s push into the UPA-A approved paddle space.

My read on May: widebody stability and modern power are not niche anymore. More brands are trying to give players power without making the paddle feel like a trampoline with a handle.

April 2026 Approved Paddles

April was a smaller update month, but it still had a few approvals that matter if you follow widebody paddles, thinner-core builds, or brands trying to keep more pro-event options available.

• Engage X2 Widebody 16mm – Engage added the X2 Widebody 16mm near the end of April, giving players another widebody option from a long-established paddle brand.
• Holbrook Vega 16 Elongated – Holbrook’s Vega 16 Elongated was added on April 29, expanding Holbrook UPA-A presence with a 16mm elongated model.
• Honolulu J2CR – Honolulu’s J2CR joined the list on April 21, continuing the brand’s momentum around its CR-series paddles.
• RPM Friction Pro V2 14mm – RPM added the Friction Pro V2 14mm widebody model on April 1, giving players a thinner-core option built around fast hands and spin potential.
• Warping Point Sophon16 – Warping Point’s Sophon16 was also added on April 1, giving the brand another 16mm model on the UPA-A certified list.

April was less about a flood of approvals and more about useful options. Widebody, elongated, 14mm, 16mm, power, control: that spread matters because players are not all solving the same problem.

March 2026 Approved Paddles

March had several approvals that players may recognize from paddle conversations around spin, foam cores, power, and elongated shapes.

• Honolulu – J2CR Crystal Blue Grit. A 16mm variation in the Honolulu lineup with emphasis on surface texture and longer-lasting grit.
• Warping Point – Phoenix 16 (PHX1601). A 16mm model positioned around stability and touch.
• PIKKL – Hurricane Pro X (HPX15). A 15.5mm core paddle that sits between the usual 14mm power feel and 16mm control/stability feel.
• Sypik – Triton Pro Ultimate 6 (SHC0601122026). A 16mm professional-grade paddle positioned around vibration dampening.
• 11SIX24 – Hurache-X Power 2 Pro (W212.63-H). A 16mm power-focused Hurache model that should interest players who like longer shapes and offensive pressure.
• Honolulu – J2CR. A 16mm addition to the Honolulu lineup, with a focus on consistent surface texture and a generous sweet spot.
• Franklin – C45 Aurelius (C45ALW14). The 14mm variant of the Aurelius series, built around quicker hands and offensive maneuverability.

March is where the list started to feel more like a real player shopping problem. Similar names, different models, different thicknesses, and different approval paths can all start blending together if you are not paying attention.

February 2026 Approved Paddles

February’s list was smaller, but it included a few names players were already watching.

• Joola Pro V Series – Eleven paddles, including Agassi, Graf, Hyperion, Kosmos, Perseus, and Scorpeus models, were approved on Feb. 9, 2026.
• Franklin – C45 Aurelius. A widebody model available in 12.7mm, 14mm, and 16mm core options, with a 45-degree carbon weave.
• SixZero – Coral. A 16mm control-oriented paddle family with a foam-core build and Diamond Tough raw carbon surface.

February was a good reminder that approval lists are not only about obscure models. When familiar names show up, players start asking the practical question: is the paddle I am seeing in reviews, shops, or pro hands the same version on the list?

January 2026 Approved Paddles

January set the tone for the 2026 list, with several power, hybrid, foam-core, and thin-core paddles added early in the year.

• 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 – 11SIX24’s hybrid thermoformed foam-core paddle, built around HexGrit spin and controlled power.
• Aireo Cyclone 10 – A 16mm power-focused addition to the Aireo competition lineup.
• Arronax KVL 0044 – A professional-grade 16mm model positioned around stability.
• Core Pro 4G – A 16mm performance paddle added to the UPA-A registry in early January.
• Diadem Edge BluCore Series – A major expansion featuring Hybrid and Pro variants in both 14mm and 16mm.
• ElevenZero EZ Pro Origin H13 – A 13mm thin-core model aimed at fast transitions.
• Engage ProFoam X2 – The second iteration by Engage of its first 16mm foam-core paddle.
• Li-Ning Hyperpower – New additions including the HP90S 14mm and HP90X 16mm.
• Luzz PRO BLADE 2 – A 14mm paddle positioned around aerodynamic speed and control.
• Mehau E4 & E5 – Two 16mm competition models featuring updated surface textures.
• RPM Jade Elongated – A 16mm elongated model built around reach and spin output.
• Selkirk Project Boomstik – New 16mm Elongated and Widebody variants using raw carbon technology.

January told me the 2026 UPA-A list was not going to be a quiet side document. Foam cores, hybrid shapes, thin-core options, and power-focused builds all showed up early. That is exactly the kind of paddle category serious players tend to ask about first.

December 2025 Approved Paddles

Closing out 2025, several brands expanded their core lineups to meet UPA-A standards.

• Holbrook Fuze Elongated – Both the 14mm and 16mm variants were added to the list mid-month, giving Holbrook players more approved options.
• Vulcan V-Series – Three new 16mm models, Models 1, 2, and 3, were certified for professional play on December 1.
• Volair Shift Hyb – A new 14mm hybrid model added to the registry, positioned around fast transitions and control.
• Zocker Aspire – A new 16mm model certified for players seeking stability and power.

November 2025 Approved Paddles

November included several notable additions from larger and smaller paddle brands.

• Joola Perseus Pro 1 Max – A pro-grade 16mm option with updated core tuning and power stability.
• Proton Project Peacock Series – Four paddles, including 13mm and 15mm options in elongated and square shapes, added to the Series Three lineup.
• Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm – Gearbox’s UPA-A approved thermoformed paddle built around power and control.

October 2025 Approved Paddles

October’s approvals included a few power and control options worth noting.

• Gearbox GX2 Power Hybrid 16mm – Gearbox’s UPA-A approved thermoformed paddle built around power and control.
• Hit Pickleball Hand Cannon – A power-first 12.9mm paddle for players who like driving pace.
• RamSports Ignis / Infinite / Typhoon – A trio of paddles positioned around control, stability, and offensive precision.

UPA-A Paddle Certification FAQ

Should You Buy a Paddle That Is Both USAP and UPA-A Approved?

Many paddles are approved by both USA Pickleball (USAP) and UPA-A. That is the cleanest setup if you play a mix of amateur tournaments, higher-level events, and anything that may follow pro-style equipment rules.

For everyday players, dual certification is nice but not always necessary. For competitive players who travel, enter tougher brackets, or might chase PPA-style events later, dual certification is a simple way to avoid a dumb equipment headache.

Bottom line: Do not buy a paddle just because it is on this list. Buy a paddle that fits your game first. But if two paddles feel close and one is both USAP and UPA-A approved, I would usually lean toward the one that keeps more doors open.

Dual approval is not about prestige. It is about avoiding surprises when tournament rules get more specific than the paddle page you bought from.

If my own main paddle broke tomorrow and I had two similar options in front of me, I would lean toward the one with both approvals. Not because I need every stamp for every game. Because I do not want paddle eligibility to be the reason I cannot enter something later.

Want Paddle Updates Without Chasing Lists?

Stay Updated: Bookmark this page and check back before buying a new competition paddle or entering an event with stricter paddle rules. We refresh this page when new models are added to the UPA-A Approved List. For related equipment issues, see our banned paddle list.