What Is the APP Tour in Pickleball?

The APP Tour (Association of Pickleball Professionals Tour) is one of several professional pickleball tours, hosting tournaments across the United States that feature both professional and competitive amateur divisions. The sport's two leading professional properties are the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP), and the APP Tour operates as an additional option in the broader competitive landscape.

What the APP Tour Does

The APP Tour organizes a season-long series of tournaments held in cities across the country. Events typically include professional singles, doubles, and mixed doubles divisions alongside amateur and recreational brackets, allowing everyday players to compete at the same venues as touring professionals during the same event weekend.

How It Fits Into Competitive Pickleball

The APP Tour is one of several organizing bodies in professional pickleball. For the sport's premier individual tournament competition, see the PPA Tour; for team-based professional play, see Major League Pickleball (MLP). Professional players often compete across multiple tours throughout a season, and tour structures, formats, and player participation have evolved significantly as the sport has professionalized.

Note

Professional pickleball's competitive landscape — including which tours are active, how they're structured, and which players compete where — has shifted considerably as the sport has grown. For the most current tour schedule, divisions, and player fields, check the APP Tour's official website directly rather than relying on older sources.

Watching and Attending

APP Tour events are typically open to spectators, and many matches are streamed online or broadcast, making it accessible for fans who want to watch professional-level pickleball even if they can't attend in person. Tournament weekends often include amateur bracket play running alongside the professional matches, giving recreational players a chance to compete in the same environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the APP Tour, the PPA Tour, and MLP?

The PPA Tour is the sport's leading individual tournament tour, MLP is the leading team-based professional league, and the APP Tour is an additional tour with its own tournament schedule. Many top players compete across multiple tours and formats throughout a season.

Can amateur players compete at APP Tour events?

Yes — APP Tour event weekends typically include amateur and recreational divisions alongside the professional matches, giving everyday players the opportunity to compete at the same tournament site as touring pros.

How do players qualify for the APP Tour?

Qualification and entry requirements vary by division and have evolved over time as the tour has grown. Check the APP Tour's official website for current player eligibility, rankings requirements, and entry processes.

Questions about competitive pickleball? Email [email protected].