India Surpasses the US in Pickleball Ratings: A Surprising Shift

India's Remarkable Rise in Pickleball Ratings

India has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the United States in average pickleball ratings, despite the latter being the sport's birthplace. As per the latest data from DUPR for July 2026, India's average rating is recorded at 3.607, while the United States trails with a rating of 3.449. This is particularly impressive given that the US hosts the largest professional tours for the sport.

DUPR, which stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, is a live rating system that evaluates players based on actual match outcomes, with scores ranging from 2.0 to 8.0. It serves as the official rating system for various major pickleball events, including the PPA Tour and the US Open. Earlier this year, the India Pickleball Association adopted DUPR as its official rating system, ensuring that all IPA events are recognized as DUPR Verified Events.

India's achievement is not limited to the US; it also outperforms Canada (3.345), the United Kingdom (3.339), and Australia (3.204), countries where organized pickleball has been established for a longer duration. Leading the global ratings is Sweden, with an impressive average of 4.211, followed by Spain (3.967) and Poland (3.963).

Despite the US being the largest market for pickleball, India's average rating is noteworthy. It's essential to understand that this average reflects the entire pool of registered players in a country, not just the elite athletes. A newer market like India, with a smaller yet competitive player base, can achieve a higher average than an older market filled with casual players.

This context does not diminish India's achievement; rather, it highlights that while India's pickleball community may be smaller, the players entering the DUPR system are, on average, rated higher than their American peers. With the integration of DUPR into India's national competition framework through the IPA partnership, these averages are expected to change as more players join the system. As more Indian players receive verified ratings in the coming months, this statistic will continue to evolve, revealing a narrative that many might find surprising.