Pickleball has moved beyond its status as an emerging trend to become one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. Its accessible, social and easy-to-learn nature has driven its expansion across clubs, recreational programmes, sports centres and educational environments, generating increasing demand for qualified instructors. Against this backdrop, Universidad Europea is positioning itself at the forefront of sports education by becoming the first university in Europe to host a university-level I course developed in collaboration with the European Pickleball Federation.
The IPTPA Level I University Course in Pickleball has been created with university recognition, 2 ECTS credits and a total duration of 20 hours. The initiative brings together the continental federation, the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association, an international benchmark in coach certification recognised in more than 90 countries, and the Spanish Pickleball Association. This alliance makes it possible to launch a pioneering educational programme at a key moment for the academic and professional consolidation of pickleball in Europe.
The programme responds to a sporting reality that is expanding rapidly. Spain already has around 60,000 players, while in the United States pickleball reached 24.3 million players in 2025, following growth of 172% over three years. Europe is now entering a decisive stage in which the development of the sport, the professionalisation of instruction and the training standards that will support its growth over the coming years are being defined.
Designed from a practical, methodological and professional perspective, the course covers the fundamentals of pickleball, the role of the instructor, how to teach the game, its technical and tactical foundations, the rules and the organisation of sessions for beginner players. Its hybrid format combines the flexibility of online learning with an in-person on-court assessment, allowing participants to acquire theoretical knowledge and apply it in a real sports practice environment.
This structure is directly aligned with Universidad Europea’s academic model, based on experiential learning and close connection with professional reality. Participants will work on content related to session planning, on-court safety, the IPTPA methodology, the application of the rules, and technical and methodological assessment. The goal is to help them develop practical skills that can be applied in clubs, academies, recreational programmes and introductory sports projects.
The teaching staff will include professionals linked to both the international and national development of pickleball. Miguel Montaño, IPTPA Education Director, Secretary General of the World Pickleball Federation and university lecturer at Universidad Europea de Madrid, will be part of the teaching team alongside Roberto Pérez, President of the Spanish Pickleball Association.
Registration will remain open until 17 September 2026: https://iptpa.com/university-course.html