COLUMBUS TO HOST WORLD’S BEST PICKLEBALL PROS AT APP TOUR EVENT ON OCT. 1-4
Association of Pickleball Players (APP Tour) hosting world-class pickleball event, 2026 APP Columbus Open presented by The James, at Pickle & Chill this fall Tickets and player registration now live via TheAPP.global Credentials, Media Library and Resources available here.
COLUMBUS (June 17, 2026) – Mark your calendars – the world's first and world’s best pickleball tour is bringing Columbus' premier pickleball event of the year to town this fall. The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour will return to the Buckeye State for a world-class celebration of pickleball, the APP Columbus Open presented by The James, with tickets on sale plus amateur and pro player registration now officially open via TheAPP.global.
The 2026 APP Columbus Open presented by The James is set to take place Oct. 1-4 at the venerable Pickle & Chill. Beyond a pickleball competition, the event will have something for everyone, with chances for spectators and participants to test their skills, food and drink, official merchandise, giveaways, and a Championship Court to showcase the world’s top pickleball players competing for gold medals and cash prizes in front of a national television audience. As has been an event tradition for the past two years, the tournament coincides with the beginning of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with The James at Ohio State serving as primary sponsor of the festivities. The event will also shine a spotlight on all female competitors, including special programming, broadcast elements, on-site activations and more. Competition at the 2026 APP Columbus Open presented by The James will be open to all pickleball skill levels from 3.0 to pro, across a wide range of age brackets. Players are encouraged to sign up quickly to secure their spots with registration now open through late September. Whether you’re a first-time pickleball player, a hardcore competitor, or simply looking for a fun day out with the family, all are welcome at the APP Tour. Just bring your paddle! Additional updates, including interview opportunities, will be communicated to media in the coming weeks. To stay tuned on all things APP pickleball, visit TheAPP.global and the APP’s social media channels Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Media Note: The APP offers its library of pickleball photos and b-roll to media for use in pickleball-related articles and news stories. Please click here to view and download files, with credit given to the Association of Pickleball Players.
About the APP:
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) provides opportunities for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels—professionals, amateurs and recreational—to compete in world-class pickleball events for the opportunity to win prize money and be featured on nationally televised broadcasts on CBS Sports and ESPN. Since its launch in 2019, the APP has operated the first and only pro and amateur pickleball tour fully and officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball. The APP opened its official headquarters and player development center in January 2025 at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while its corporate offices continue to be located in Chicago. The APP Tour’s 2026 schedule will feature the most robust pickleball showcase across pro and amateur competitions accompanied by youth development programs, grassroots charity initiatives and international partnerships to continue to grow the game. Schedules, recent news and additional information about the APP are available at TheAPP.global and on Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.
APP Media Contact: Daniel Sagerman at dsagerman@theapp.global or (847) 800 8182