US Pickleball Federation to introduce yellow cards

(Dan Tri) - Yellow cards are a hot topic ahead of the PPA Masters tournaments to evaluate the professional level of athletes.

According to statistics, only 16% of pickleball players in the US are eligible to participate in the PPA Tour (professional pickleball tournament) in 2024, an increase of 7% compared to 2023. The question is what do athletes need to be recognized as professional pickleball players?

The United States Pickleball Association intends to introduce yellow cards to evaluate the professionalism of players.

The US Pickleball Association is considering introducing yellow cards to assess players' professionalism (Photo: Pickleball.com).

What does a yellow card do? Who gets one?

The Gold Card allows players to automatically participate in PPA events. It also confirms their eligibility to participate in the Pickleball Major League. Or you can think of it as a certificate of professionalism.

Players who are signed to the UPA (United States Pickleball Association) automatically receive a yellow card. There are two ways to qualify for a UPA contract and a yellow card. One is to win the PPA Tour Challenger Series. The other is to finish in the top 30 on the PPA Tour points system in either men’s or women’s doubles.

A yellow card is like a tour card in golf. Players with a tour card automatically participate in the PGA Tour and avoid having to count points in other PGA events.

Most professional golfers start on the Korn Ferry Tour, which is designed as a pathway for golfers who want to join the PGA Tour.

The top 20 at the end of each Korn Ferry Tour season receive PGA tour cards, giving them the opportunity to play in golf's biggest tournaments.

The gold card or tour card is the powerful card that pickleball and golf players aim for on their way to becoming the top.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/lien-doan-pickleball-my-sap-ap-dung-the-vang-20250109143700570.htm