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NORTH BETHESDA, MARYLAND (July 23, 2026) – Pickleball equipment manufacturer JOOLA announced its HC-40 ball has become the official ball of DUPR, the world’s leading pickleball ratings and rankings platform.
Beginning September 1, 2026, the JOOLA HC-40 will be the designated ball for all DUPR-sanctioned events, bringing a consistent, high-quality playing experience to athletes across DUPR’s rapidly growing event ecosystem. With over two million registered users in 183 countries, DUPR will support 350 events this year.
Accurate ratings depend on consistent play and the ball is part of that equation. The JOOLA HC-40’s precision-engineered design delivers reliable flight, a true bounce and durability that holds up across high-volume competition, reducing inconsistencies from match to match. Pairing the world’s most trusted pickleball rating system with one of the sport’s most consistent pickleballs gives players, clubs and tournaments greater confidence in the numbers behind every match.
“DUPR has built the gold standard for measuring a player’s game, and precision starts with the equipment on the court. We engineered the JOOLA HC-40 to deliver the same ball, every match, so every rating reflects a player’s true performance,” said Richard Lee, JOOLA President and CEO. “Having it named the official ball of DUPR means players at every level are competing on that same standard. This is the kind of partnership that raises the bar for the whole sport.”
The partnership extends across DUPR’s full slate of operated and sanctioned competition, including:
- The Dink Minor League Pickleball events operated by DUPR in the United States
- International Dink Minor League Pickleball Nationals and Regional events
- DUPR-operated collegiate and high school pickleball events and tournaments, including the College World Championship, The Nationals, and the DUPR College Pickleball Tour
Third-party operators hosting DUPR Events will also be required to use the JOOLA HC-40, ensuring a consistent playing experience across the broader DUPR event network, from local qualifiers to national championships.
“Consistency is critical to competitive integrity, and that’s exactly what this partnership delivers,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “DUPR ratings are built to accurately measure player performance, and that starts with using trusted equipment across competition.
“By making the JOOLA HC-40 the official ball across our events, we’re ensuring players, clubs and tournament organizers have a shared standard they can count on, whether they’re at a local qualifier or the DUPR College Pickleball Tour.”
For players, the partnership means greater consistency, reliability, and performance standards every time they step on the court for a DUPR-sanctioned match. From youth and collegiate competitors to amateur and elite athletes, players at every level will experience the performance benefits of the JOOLA HC-40 at DUPR events.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment by JOOLA and DUPR to grow the sport of pickleball through innovation, accessibility, and world-class competition, deepening the connection between two of the sport’s most trusted names at a pivotal moment in pickleball’s growth.
