Do you feel passionate about the sport of pickleball and would you like to be amidst the very best players on a tournament court? Do you feel strongly about good sportsmanship, and would you like to be part of making pickleball even more popular? Do you value decisiveness, clear communication and conflict resolution? Those are just some of the many plus points when you become an accredited referee. The European Pickleball Federation (EPF) will offer referee courses from January to March 2026.
Level 1
Level 1 Referees have a solid understanding of the game, enabling them to manage most on-court situations effectively while maintaining the match’s flow. They are knowledgeable about handling disputes, distractions/hinders and timeouts.
- Rugby, England 6th – 8th March
- Surrey, England 10th – 11th March
- Brussels, Belgium 17th – 18th March
- Ettlingen, Germany 20th -22nd March
Prerequisites
- Must be over 18 years old.
- The courses are held in English and fluency at a level of B2 is mandatory.
- Proof residence in Europe. The courses are European citizens/residents only.
- Player test (min. 90%)
Cost:
- Part I online €75, the PFA will cover this for members of PFA member clubs
- Part II (on-court) €180, the PFA will cover this for graduates who successfully completed Part 1 on the first attempt
The European Pickleball Federation exclusively aligns with USA Pickleball’s officiating policies and best practices for the purpose of establishing one global pickleball referee standard for the sport of pickleball. Please contact the PFA by emailing we@playpickleball.at until Nov 30th 2025 if you are interested.
