Founded in 2021, APP Next has cemented its reputation as the worldwide pickleball industry leader in player development, offering a pathway to success for aspiring pickleball professionals. From October 1, players participating in all future APP Next events will now be able to accumulate APP Tour pro ranking points, at the Tier III level, for any matches won during tournament play. This important update to APP Next builds on the level of competitive excellence at the heart of APP Next tournaments, and offers more incentives to aspiring pros to compete in pickleball’s pre-eminent player development series.

Starting with the APP Next Series event in Dallas on Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, all matches in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles categories are eligible for APP Tour pro ranking points. The additional opportunities to earn APP Tour pro ranking points are designed to allow a smoother transition into the pro ranks for players age 23 and younger.

“The depth and success of APP Next has paved the way for many of today’s top American players playing on the APP Tour, and in high profile international tournaments,“ commented APP Tour Founder Ken Herrmann. “To help keep travel costs to a minimum, players winning matches at APP Next events will be awarded not only APP Next ranking points, but also APP Tour pro ranking points.”  

“It’s oftentimes difficult for younger players transitioning from the amateur to the professional ranks in pickleball,” Herrmann continued. “APP Next has provided that bridge of support, along with a $15k prize purse in each event, to the best player development pathway in the sport, which also includes potential placement on the highly sought APP U.S. National Team.”

A chart of Tier III APP Tour pro ranking points is below:

APP Next events are a series of three-day tournaments for qualifying players 23 and younger. Players receive mentorship and coaching both on and off the court from APP Tour professionals, helping guide players and their families on a successful journey in the sport. The platform has jumpstarted the pro careers of many notable APP Tour players, including Jack Munro. Munro, a member of the 2023 and 2024 APP U.S. National Teams, began his pickleball journey in APP Next and progressed to later rank No. 1 in men’s pro doubles and mixed pro doubles in 2025.

For more information on APP Next, visit TheAPP.global/APP-Next or contact appnext@theapp.global.