Start with the rules for your event and division. Then match your paddle’s exact model and thickness to the approval list the organizer uses. A logo on the paddle is not enough to settle every case.
Check the event and division first
Check the equipment rules for your event date and division. Professional and amateur draws may have different requirements. Search the approval list named by your organizer.
Match the whole model name
Read the model, generation and thickness on your paddle or its product information. Search the official list used by the event and match those details. A similar name, a retailer’s badge or an old screenshot leaves room for a mismatch.
- Record the full model and thickness, including the variant.
- Check the current status and any effective date or removal notice.
- Repeat the check shortly before the event, including for your spare paddle.
Authenticity and Tournament Approval Are Separate Checks
Check that the seller is an authorized retailer. Selkirk recommends its own store or authorized retail partners and accepts reports of suspected counterfeits and suspicious stores. Report concerns about another brand directly to that manufacturer.
PPA Europe Has a Transition Period
UPA-A’s announcement allows paddles currently on the USAP Approved List at every PPA Europe level, including professional play, through 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, PPA Europe professional competition requires UPA-A certification. This is a specific regional transition; check the rules for your own event.
Resolve Uncertainty Before Buying
If the exact variant is absent or the rules conflict, send the organizer the model details and the list entry you found. Ask whether it is eligible for your division and date. Wait for that clarification before buying a paddle solely for the tournament.
2027 certification: what changed?
On September 28, 2026, UPA-A announced automated break-in testing as the official method for 2027 certification. It also introduced an optional surface-roughness break-in service for models whose texture can change with use. Before entering an event, check your exact model against the approval list required by the organizer.
Phoenix: Match the Model Number as Well as Thickness
UPA-A lists the two Phoenix models separately. Match the paddle’s model number and thickness to the entry required by your event.
| UPA-A model name | Model number | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix 16 | PHX1601 | 16 mm |
| Phoenix Series | PHX13301 | 13.3 mm |
C45 Aurelius: Three Approval Model Numbers
UPA-A lists each thickness separately. Match the number on your paddle to the entry required by your event.
| UPA-A model | Model number | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| C45 Aurelius | C45ALW127 | 12.7 mm |
| C45 Aurelius | C45ALW14 | 14 mm |
| C45 Aurelius | C45ALW16 | 16 mm |