Starting Strong in Seattle

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We are so back.

The 2026 APP Tour season has arrived at last, and what better way to celebrate than in the birthplace of pickleball? That’s right, the world’s first and world’s best pickleball tour is heading to Seattle for the very first time, and a spectacular event awaits: the 2026 AARP Open.

Hundreds of pickleball players from around the world will compete at the from March 26-29 at Side Out Tsunami Pickleball Club, Seattle’s largest indoor pickleball facility, and we're putting a special spotlight on our AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) Divisions. Amateurs of all agesand the sport’s elite professionals will look to make their marks on a new season, with ranking points, prize money and medals all up for grabs leading up to a national TV broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

The event will also feature the opening round of the 2026 Humana Cup competition, an exclusive team-based event for pros ages 50 and older. For team rosters, results and more, visit the 2026 Humana Cup homepage.

The APP Tour is set to begin the eighth season its history, and the world’s top pros are ready to shine. Here are the top pro storylines heading into the 2026 AARP Open in Seattle.

SOFIA THE FIRST

Sofia Sewing, the No. 1 ranked women's singles pro on tour, returns to action after a dominant 2025 campaign. The South Floridian led all APP Tour women's pros with 13 gold medals and ranked second with 23 total medals.

FUDGE ON TOP

Megan Fudge enters the 2026 season as the APP Tour's all-time leader in total career medals (85). Fudge will be chasing more records this year - she is three gold medals away from tying Simone Jardim for the most career women's pro gold medals (33).

JACK ATTACK

Jack Munro led all APP Tour pros with 14 gold medals, and led all men's pros with 20 total medals in 2025. The 21 year-old from Austin, TX has settled in his spot as the No. 1-ranked men's and mixed doubles pro on tour and is hungry for more.

NEW JERSEY'S FINEST

Richard Livornese, Jr. earned eight total medals in 2025, tied for the second-most among APP Tour men's pros. The New Jersey native pairs up with Jack Munro as the top men's doubles seeds in Seattle.

OSHIRO ALL DAY

Bobbi Oshiro emerged as one of the top women's pros in the game last season, earning 17 total medals and seven golds. Oshiro's 17 total medals were more than double her medal count from 2024 (8).

THE CHAMP IS HERE

Longtime APP Tour pro Ryler DeHeart added a new milestone to his career at the 2025 APP Tour season finale, as he took home his first career men's singles gold medal. DeHeart will defend his title as the No. 4 men's singles seed in Seattle.

KAT'S GOT CLAWS

Katerina Stewart broke out in a big way in 2025, rising to No. 2 status in women's singles. The Miami native took home six total medals and two golds last season.

SEATTLE'S FINEST

The hometown Seattle duo of Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou and Thomas Yu will look to make some noise as the No. 3-seeds in men's pro doubles. Manthou, a Univ. of Washington alum, earned six total medals and two golds in 2025.

BRAVERMANIA RETURNS

Jill Braverman was a podium regular in 2025, earning 17 total medals and seven golds, the majority of which came in women's doubles. The Newport Beach, California native pairs up with Australian Emilia Schmidt as the No. 3 seeds in Seattle.

SUPER SHELBY

Resilience and triumph were the key for Shelby Bates in 2025, as she earned her first three career APP Tour gold medals - all in women's doubles.

MAKE WAY FOR MENDEZ

Seone Mendez made some major moves in the APP Tour's 2025 season finale in Fort Lauderdale as she battled her way to women's singles gold - the first of her career. The Australia native will defend her title as the No. 9 seed in Seattle.

CHAMPIONS MENTALITY

Lee Whitwell was in a class of her own in 2025, leading all AARP Champions pros with 31 total medals and a remarkable 19 gold medals. On the men’s side, Marcello Jardim led the way with 22 total medals, while Jaime Oncins racked up 14 gold medals. Youssef Bouzidi was another podium regular, with 18 total medals and 10 golds.

MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT

The AARP Masters Division competition was fierce all year in 2025, with 68 players earning at least one medal. Anna Shirley led all AARP Masters pros with 16 total medals and 10 golds, and Kristin Hickman was close behind with 14 total medals and five golds. David Spearman and Scott Moore co-led the men’s pros with 12 total medals, with Spearman’s six golds ranking first. Dan Granot and Heather Iffert each had strong seasons, earning double-digit medals (11).

DON’T MISS THE ACTION

Live coverage from the 2026 AARP Open begins Saturday, Mar. 28 on APPTV on YouTube, and continues through Sunday, Mar. 29. CBS Sports Network will carry a linear television recap show on April 8. Dorian Craft, Director of APP Collegiate Series Dominic Catalano and APP U.S. National Team head coach Chad Edwards will be on the call.  

Fans can stay posted on all the action on TheAPP.global and by following the APP’s social media pages: @OfficialAPPTour on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Threads and APP Tour on Facebook.

Venue:

Side Out Tsunami

2300 26th Ave S

Seattle, WA 98144

Broadcast Info (all times Eastern):
Championship Court

Saturday, 3/28 | 4 - 10 pm | APPTV on YouTube

Sunday, 3/29 | 3 - 9 pm | APPTV on YouTube

Full tournament schedule and results are available via Pickleball Den.

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