The upcoming 2024 U.S. Collegiate Championships at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana, will mark the year’s inaugural APP signature event.
This unique competition invites college students to represent their universities individually or as a team, engaging in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches, all vying for a substantial $50,000 prize purse.
A Round-Robin Format
The team event offers a prize pool of $32,500, distributed among the top placements. The structure involves a round-robin format, including playoffs, where teams will compete for different tiers of prize money ranging from $12,000 for first place to $1,000 for 9th – 12th positions.
Additionally, players who have registered for the team event can join the singles competition for free. This individual segment boasts a $17,500 prize allocation, distributed across various categories such as singles, gender doubles, and mixed doubles. The prize money ranges from $350 to $875 for individual winners.
Moreover, the tournament highlights will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network on January 8, 2024, allowing viewers to catch the tournament’s best moments.
Registration for team and individual competitions is now open. To book your school into the team competition, click here. Click here to register for the individual brackets.
Innovative And Exciting New Event
The collaboration with organizations like the Westfield Sports Commission, Hamilton County Sports Authority, Hamilton County Tourism, and the Grand National Racquet Center underscores the gravitas of this tournament.
Carl Daniels, the Director of Hamilton County Sports Authority, spoke enthusiastically about this groundbreaking event:
“The Hamilton County Sports Authority Team looks forward to welcoming the APP for this innovative and exciting new event highlighting both collegiate and open play.
“It’s tremendous to see the platform the APP provides for pickleball players of all skill levels. Our team is excited to create a memorable experience in our destination for all these athletes.”
Competing Head-To-Head
The championship will witness college teams from across the country competing head-to-head, adhering to specific team compositions and sizes.
In conjunction with the collegiate tournament, the APP Midwest Open will feature a pro wild card playoff, granting winners entry into a designated 2024 APP Tour event.
The tournament’s venue, the expansive 400-acre Grand Park Sports Campus, promises a dynamic setting with 28 pickleball courts, a championship court, and stadium seating, providing optimal visibility across all courts.
A Significant Milestone
Ken Herrmann talked about how this premier event represents a significant milestone for the APP, marking the beginning of their collegiate journey:
“We are thrilled to be heading to Westfield for our first APP Signature Event of 2024,” he said. “It’s the first of its kind to feature college-level pickleball teams battling it out for gold, and it kicks off our long-term efforts in the collegiate space.”
The stage is set for an exhilarating competition in Westfield, where college-level pickleball teams will showcase their skills, setting the tone for a colossal year of pickleball tournaments ahead.
