The Association of Pickleball Players (APP), creators of the world’s first and world’s best pickleball tour, are expanding their international presence through enhanced partnerships with two of the largest pickleball organizations overseas. Global Sports in India becomes a new strategic partner of the APP, and the APP’s partnership with Pickleball England has been extended for the fourth year, aligning three global pickleball powers to foster a new era of growth for the sport around the world.
“Uniting the APP with Global Sports and Pickleball England is monumental for the growth of pickleball worldwide,” said APP Founder Ken Herrmann. “Together, we’ll collaborate on long-term success plans, share resources, and support one another unequivocally as we embark on an exciting new journey for our sport.”
Headlining Global Sports and the APP’s partnership will be a collaborative player pool, cementing two of the most competitive tours in pickleball and paving a pathway for more players to earn prize money, elevate rankings, and showcase their skills to a worldwide audience. The top 12-ranked men’s and women’s APP Tour professionals will earn entry into Global Sports Pro and Challenger League events, including stops in India, Dubai, Vietnam and more. Similarly, high-ranking Global Sports professionals will compete in APP Tour events in the U.S., including the season-ending APP Tour Championships held at The Fort, the APP’s global headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“Global Sports is very excited to collaborate with the APP, in its pursuit of creating exciting opportunities for players to make careers in pickleball," said Shashank Khaitan, Partner at Global Sports. "We have always collaborated very well with the APP, and our interactions with Ken and the whole team have always been wonderful.”
“Ken has supported Global Sports events since very early on in our journey and has always been encouraging of the young Indian talent,” continued Khaitan. “With the top 12 ranked male and top 12 female players of the APP making it to the auction of the Global Sports Pro League, American players will now have an opportunity to travel and compete in India and establish a path to cultural exchange through pickleball. We are very excited about this collaboration and are sure this will lead to more opportunities for us to come together and promote pickleball across the world."
Top-ranking APP Tour pros and members of the 2025 APP U.S. National Team will also compete in the 2025 Monsoon Pickleball Championship, the largest pickleball event in India, held July 29-Aug. 3 in Mumbai.
Pickleball England and the APP now enter their fourth year as partners, with a bright future ahead. The APP has served as an associate partner of the English Open, the largest pickleball tournament held outside the U.S., providing support in tournament operations, broadcasting, and marketing. Hosted at Telford International Centre on Aug. 6-10, the 2025 English Open is poised to welcome more than 2,000 pickleball players from nearly 50 countries.
“Pickleball England is delighted to continue our partnership with the APP for the fourth consecutive year,” said Karen Mitchell, Chair & Tournament Director of Pickleball England. “Welcoming the APP Pro Players and the APP U.S. National Team to the English Open gives top British and European players a unique chance to test themselves under pressure against world-class competition. It’s opportunities like these that elevate the level of play and make the English Open such a compelling event—whether you're on court or in the stands.”
The pickleball community can stay in the know on the latest APP updates at theapp.global, and by following the APP’s Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn channels.
