The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) today announced a major expansion of its professional competition platform, doubling total prize money available across its APP Tour pro brackets from $1.5 million in 2026 to $3 million in 2027. This creates significantly increased prize money earning opportunities for all pro players on the APP Tour, including the nearly 70 female and male pros signed to the APP Tour since the start of 2026.

The APP has also added two new APP Tour events to its 2027 U.S. schedule. The additions expand the APP Tour from 10 events in 2026 to 12 in 2027, creating more opportunities for professional and amateur players and bringing the APP experience to new audiences and communities. The full 2027 APP Tour schedule is expected to be announced in the third quarter, 2026.

In addition to operating its U.S. stops, the APP continues to bolster its international pro player offerings through the APP Asia Tour, and through the APP’s leading role in the Global Pickleball Alliance (GPA). The APP Tour, the APP Asia Tour, and the GPA now offer pro players from around the world more than 50 events each year in which to compete, increasing earning opportunities and exposure to new audiences and sponsors for the world’s best pros, and continuing to grow pickleball globally.  

In addition, the APP Tour will now livestream all four days of each 2027 tournament, providing more opportunities for pro pickleball fans to tune in and watch the world’s best players compete on the APP Tour.

Together, the announcements reflect the continued strength and growth of the APP business and its commitment to building a sustainable, player-focused future for professional pickleball.

“Doubling our professional prize money, expanding the APP Tour domestically and globally, and adding more livestream broadcasts are clear demonstrations of our confidence in the future of professional pickleball and the strength of the APP,” said Ken Herrmann, founder of the APP. “We are investing directly in players, creating more opportunities to compete and continuing to build a Tour capable of supporting long-term professional careers. Our momentum is strong, and we are excited about what lies ahead in 2027.”

Doubling the investment in professional players

The increase from $1.5 million to $3 million represents a 100% year-over-year rise in prize money across APP professional brackets.

The additional investment will increase the earning opportunities available to APP professionals throughout the season and reinforces the Tour’s player-first model. Further details regarding prize-money distribution across the 2027 calendar will be announced separately.

“The athletes are the foundation of everything we do,” added Herrmann. “A healthy professional sport requires meaningful competitive opportunities and a structure that rewards performance. This investment is another important step toward delivering that.”

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A larger APP Tour in 2027

The expanded schedule will offer:

• More opportunities for professional players to compete and earn prize money.

• Additional access to high-quality competition for amateur players.

• New markets in which sponsors, fans and communities can experience the APP Tour.

• Greater value and visibility for APP partners.

• More opportunities to showcase the personalities and stories driving the sport of pickleball.

Further announcements about the 2027 season, including player fields, broadcast coverage, commercial partnerships and individual event details, will follow.

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