Buckeye State: we’re back.

Columbus has long been a city that shows up for sports, especially as of one of the nation’s great college sports towns. Now, the world’s best pickleball players are ready to join that landscape, bringing the energy for four days of action at the 2026 APP Columbus Open Presented by The James.

Hundreds of pickleball players from across the globe will head to Pickle & Chill, the Midwest’s largest dedicated indoor / outdoor pickleball facility From amateurs of all ages, to the sport’s elite professionals, to the AARP Champions (50+) division, all will compete for ranking points, prize money and plenty of hardware leading up to national TV broadcasts on ESPN2 and CBS Sports Network.

Prior to the championship festivities on Sunday, Oct. 4, the APP will host a collegiate exhibition showcase between the club pickleball teams of Ohio State and Ohio University. Starting at 9 a.m. ET, the two schools will go head-to-head, with the winners securing ultimate bragging rights. Fans are encouraged to cheer on their favorite schools leading into the pro gold medal matches.

Who will be crowned the champions of Columbus? Here are the top pro storylines heading into the 2026 APP Columbus Open Presented by The James.

FIVE AND THRIVING

Jack Munro and Richard Livornese, Jr. teamed up for a remarkable fifth consecutive men's pro doubles title of the season after defeating Etienne Blaszkewycz and Callan Dawson in Overland Park - a rematch from Detroit a few weeks earlier. The win gave both Livornese, Jr. and Munro their sixth APP Tour gold medals of 2026, leading all men's pros. Can they make it six in a row in Columbus?

Munro also earned silver in mixed pro doubles in Overland Park, giving him eight total medals on the year - leading all APP Tour men's pros.

FUDGE ON TOP

By winning the women's pro doubles title in Overland Park with Kat Stewart, Megan Fudge officially tied Simone Jardim's record for the most career women's pro gold medals in APP Tour history (33). Fudge's 94 total career medals are the most all-time by APP Tour pros.

PERFECT RECORD INTACT

Ammar Wazir defeated Tristan Dussault in the men's pro singles final in Overland Park, improving to a perfect 6-0 in gold medal matches in his career. The win marked Wazir's third men's singles title of 2026.

AMAZING AMBER

Amber Policare broke out in a big way in Overland Park, earning her first two career APP Tour medals. The Long Island, NY native took home silver in women's pro doubles alongside Glauka Carvajal-Lane, who earned her first APP Tour medal since 2024. Policare also earned the women's pro singles bronze medal.

FIRST OF MANY

Tristan Dussault won his first career APP Tour gold medal when he and Allison Harris took home the mixed pro doubles title in Overland Park. Dussault also earned silver in men's pro singles, falling to Ammar Wazir. The 18-year-old from Orlando, FL has vaulted up to No. 5 in the APP Tour U.S. Rankings in men's pro singles.

INTERNATIONAL STARS RETURN

The APP Tour's player talent runs deep across the globe, and they'll put on a show in Columbus. Jay Devilliers made his 2026 APP Tour debut in Overland Park, reaching the quarterfinals in men's pro doubles alongside Tanner Tomassi. Quang Duong, one of the most electrifying pros on tour from Vietnam, returns to action in Columbus.

RONAN REIGNS

Ronan Camron fell in the semifinals in men's pro singles in Overland Park, but is still enjoying a breakout 2026 campaign. The 21-year-old from Fort Myers, FL ranks second among APP Tour men's pros with seven (7) total medals in 2026, and remains the No. 1-ranked men's singles pro in the APP Tour U.S. Rankings.

BOWER POWER

Jake Bower broke through in Overland Park and took home bronze in men's pro singles for his first career APP Tour medal. Keep an eye on this former APP U.S. Collegiate champion from Florida!

DON’T MISS THE ACTION

Live coverage from Columbus begins on Friday, Oct. 2 starting at 12 pm ET, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 4 with coverage on both Championship Court and Chex Mix Players Court. Director of APP Selkirk Collegiate Series Dominic Catalano and APP U.S. National Team head coach Chad Edwards, plus national sports broadcaster Dorian Craft will be on the call, with all action airing on ESPN Plus and APPTV on YouTube.  

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:

Pickle & Chill

880 W Henderson Rd.

Columbus, OH 43214

Broadcast Info (all times Eastern):
CHAMPIONSHIP COURT

Friday 10/2 | 12 - 6 pm | YouTube

Saturday 10/3 | 11:30 - 6 pm | ESPN+

Sunday 10/4 | 12 - 5 pm | ESPN+

CHEX MIX PLAYERS COURT

Saturday 10/3 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | YouTube

Sunday 10/4 | 8 am - 12 pm | YouTube

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