APP NEXT IS A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SERIES OF TOURNAMENTS EXCLUSIVELY FOR PLAYERS 23 AND YOUNGER, WHO ALSO RECEIVE COACHING, MENTORSHIP AND AN INTRODUCTORY TASTE OF LIFE AS A TOURING PROFESSIONAL. PICTURED IS KENDRA ALFARO, 18, FROM COSTA RICA. VISIT THEAPP. GLOBAL / APP-NEXT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
championship series. The organizations are hosting several collegiate qualifier events in early 2026 to determine the top 32 squads to compete at the APP Selkirk U. S. Collegiate Championships, to be held March 6 – 8 in Cape Coral, Florida.
GOING GLOBAL
As pickleball continues to grow internationally, the APP has cemented itself as a standard bearer and leader with its efforts in creating the Global Pickleball Alliance( GPA), a unified global coalition established to align professional pickleball organizations, harmonize competitive structures, and build the sport’ s first connected world calendar.
The formation of the GPA marked the beginning of a coordinated global era for pickleball, bringing together leadership from the U. S., Canada, England and other European countries, India, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and others to advance pickleball’ s professional future internationally.
The GPA also announced the launch of the Global Pickleball Rankings, the first unified, consistent international ranking platform— one that can clearly show players where they stand against competition from continent to continent.
THE 2026 APP TOUR: BIGGER, BOLDER, AND BETTER THAN EVER
The APP plans a bold evolution for its 2026 APP Tour structure, designed to elevate the player, sponsor, and fan experiences across the sport. The enhanced tour focuses on larger events, each featuring expanded prize purses, engaging fan experiences, and more linear TV broadcast hours.
The calendar includes new stops in Seattle, Detroit, Kansas City and Louisville, plus familiar favorites in Chicago, Sacramento, Fort Lauderdale and more.
In 2026, APP Tour events will truly have something for everyone, whether it’ s hitting the courts with your friends for open play, learning from experts and sharpening your skills in a masterclass, or watching the world’ s best pros battle for gold.
Keep an eye out for bigger, more engaging tour stops this year with the APP! •
Daniel Sagerman is the media relations officer and senior communications coordinator for the Association of Pickleball Players( APP). To check out APP Tour preview and recap articles, learn more about the APP, and find an event near you, visit theapp. global.
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