JOOLA HC-40 Becomes the Official Ball for All DUPR Events Worldwide

From 1 September 2026, every DUPR-sanctioned pickleball match around the world will be played with the same ball.

JOOLA has announced a multi-year partnership with DUPR that makes the JOOLA HC-40 the official ball for every DUPR-rated event. That includes local tournaments, college competitions, The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP), and any third-party tournament using the DUPR rating system.

For most recreational players, changing the official tournament ball might not seem like a big deal. But for players who compete for a DUPR rating, the decision could make ratings more accurate and consistent worldwide.

Why does the ball matter?

Unlike tennis, pickleball balls can vary noticeably between brands.

Some fly faster. Others bounce lower. Some soften as they warm up, while others crack more quickly. Those differences can affect everything from third-shot drops to drives and speed-ups.

DUPR's rating system measures player performance, but those ratings are only as reliable as the conditions in which matches are played. By introducing one official ball across all sanctioned events, DUPR hopes to remove one of the biggest variables affecting competitive results.

JOOLA says the HC-40 was designed to deliver consistent flight, bounce and durability, helping players earn ratings that better reflect their actual level.

What does this mean for Asia?

This announcement could have the biggest impact on tournament organisers across Asia.

Any organiser running DUPR-sanctioned competitions will now need to use the JOOLA HC-40 from 1 September. That means clubs and event organisers will need to source enough official balls and factor the change into tournament budgets and planning.

For players, it also means a DUPR earned in Manila should be measured under the same playing conditions as one earned in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City or the United States.

As more Asian clubs adopt DUPR, having one recognised tournament ball could help create a more consistent competitive environment across the region.

What about players in the Philippines?

The impact will depend on how many Philippine tournaments choose to become DUPR-sanctioned.

Many local competitions currently use different brands of balls depending on organisers or sponsors. In fact, ball selection has even become a talking point at some Philippine events in recent months, showing just how important equipment consistency has become in competitive pickleball.

If more local tournaments adopt DUPR, players may need to become familiar with the HC-40 before competing.

The bigger picture

This move isn't really about selling more pickleballs.

It's about creating a global standard.

DUPR now serves more than two million registered players across 183 countries, and with over 350 sanctioned events planned this year, using one official ball is another step towards making player ratings more consistent wherever they're earned.

For competitive players, that's good news. When everyone plays with the same equipment, your rating is more likely to reflect your ability—not the ball you happened to use that day.