DUPR Launching Dedicated Wheelchair Pickleball Rating System at 2026 US Open

DUPR announced plans to introduce a dedicated wheelchair pickleball rating system, with the debut scheduled for the 2026 Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida.

The initiative aims to improve competitive fairness and expand inclusion for adaptive athletes across the sport.

The new rating system will integrate directly into DUPR’s existing platform, allowing wheelchair players to be evaluated within the same global ecosystem used by millions of pickleball players worldwide.

DUPR says the project is being developed in collaboration with wheelchair athletes, tournament organizers, and the US Open team, which already features a dedicated wheelchair division.

The timing aligns with the US Open’s 10th anniversary celebration in 2026—one of the sport’s largest and most visible events.

“Inclusion is at the heart of pickleball’s growth, and this rating system is a critical step forward,” said DUPR CEO Tito Machado.

Tournament organizers say the new system will help create more balanced matchups, improve tournament seeding, and allow adaptive athletes to better track their development over time.

Ben Weinberger, President of Pickle4 and the US Open Pickleball Championships, said the initiative aligns with the event’s longstanding emphasis on accessibility and inclusion.

“This is exactly the kind of progress our sport needs—measurable, meaningful, and built with athletes at the center,” Weinberger said.

Wheelchair pickleball advocate Ryan Anthony also welcomed the move, noting that a dedicated rating structure will help adaptive athletes compete with greater confidence.

DUPR said additional details on the rating system’s features and rollout timeline will be shared as development continues.

The launch at the 2026 US Open is expected to mark a major step toward standardized competition and recognition for wheelchair pickleball players worldwide.