The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has unveiled plans for the AARP U.S. Champions Cup, expected to be one of the largest pickleball events to date.
These marquee events will cater to the AARP Champions (ages 50 and over) and Masters (ages 60 and over) Divisions, featuring a minimum of 15 competitions on the APP Tour in 2024.
Open To All Skill Levels
Scheduled for February 1 to 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida, the tournament will be open to players of all skill levels, including those at the professional level, within the AARP Champions and Masters Divisions.
Additionally, there will be age brackets available for individuals aged 40 and over. Player registration for this inaugural event is currently open on PickleballBrackets.com.
Ken Herrmann, the Founder of APP, emphasized the inclusive nature of pickleball: “Pickleball has no age limit—whether you’re five years old or 55—the sport is always welcoming.
“We are proud to continue our support and advocacy for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels.
“The AARP Champions and Masters Divisions are an important part of who we are as an organization, and we look forward to holding their premier pickleball event at one of the sport’s premier venues in Southeast Florida.”
APP Events For 2024
Below is the list of APP events that the AARP Champions and Masters Divisions will participate in throughout 2024:
Please note all event dates and locations are subject to change. Visit theapp.global for the most up to to to date schedule.
January 17 to 21: APP Tour in Punta Gorda, Florida
March 6 to 10: APP Tour in Sacramento, California
March 20 to 24: APP Tour in Miami, Florida (Major)
April 3 to 7: APP Tour in Delray Beach, Florida
May 8 to 12: APP Tour in Cincinnati, Ohio
May 22 to 26: APP Tour in New York, N.Y. (Major)
June 26 to 30: APP Tour in Southern Calif. (Major)
September 25 to 29: APP Tour in Boca Raton, Florida
October 9 to 13: APP Tour in Dallas, Texas
December 4 to 8: APP Tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Major)
The 2024 AARP Champions Division will also include the following events:
August 28 to September 1: APP Tour in Chicago, Illinois
October 23 to 27: APP Tour in Southern California
New Formats
The AARP U.S. Champions Cup stands as one of the inaugural APP Signature Events, introducing fresh formats aimed at providing both professional and amateur players with increased opportunities to compete for prize money in 2024.
Joining this distinguished lineup are two more events incorporating the AARP Champions and AARP Masters Divisions:
1. The APP U.S. Indoor Championships (June 12 to 16) are an annual indoor competition that will appear in different cities nationwide.
2. The APP Women’s Open (July 24 to 28) is a showcase spotlighting the foremost female professional and amateur pickleball players with the aim of elevating the women’s game.
“We Embrace Pickleball”
Barbara Shipley, AARP’s Senior Vice President of Brand Integration, underlined the organization’s endorsement of pickleball:
“At AARP, we embrace pickleball as a means to promote physical well-being and strengthen social connections for athletes of all ages.
“We are honored to be a part of the APP Tour and are especially proud to sponsor the Champions and Masters Divisions and the AARP U.S. Champions Cup.”
Premier Championship Courts
The 2024 AARP U.S. Champions Cup is scheduled to occur at Pictona at Holly Hill, a facility distinguished by its 49 dedicated pickleball courts, 13 of which are equipped with permanent lighting.
Notably, it houses one of the premier Championship Courts in the realm of pickleball, featuring stadium seating for 1,200, as well as box seats, suites, and a press box.
AARP initiated its sponsorship with the APP in 2023, assuming the role of title sponsor for the AARP Champions Division, which serves as the official USA Pickleball-sanctioned division for professionals aged 50 and over.
Likewise, AARP sponsors the AARP Masters Division, the sanctioned tour for professionals aged 60 and over.
