CHICAGO – The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), in conjunction with the European Pickleball Federation, announced today details for the APP Atlantic Cup, the first-ever international team-based professional pickleball tournament. The inaugural event will be held April 12-14 at the prestigious Polo Club in Boca Raton, Fla.

The APP Atlantic Cup is the world’s first professional tournament to feature two international teams in head-to-head competition. The first-of-its-kind tournament spearheads the APP’s commitment to growing pickleball as a globally recognized sport.

Team USA and Team Europe will each consist of eight players – four men and four women. Six USA Pickleball-sanctioned matches will be played each of the three days of competition in Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, as the two teams vie for international bragging rights.

“This is an important step not just for the APP but for the sport of pickleball,” said Ken Herrmann, APP founder. “The APP Atlantic Cup represents an opportunity to showcase the growth of pickleball and our vision for making it a global game with Olympic aspirations, and there’s no better place to host this inaugural event than at the prestigious Polo Club of Boca Raton. We are proud to be leading the way in bringing pickleball to the international stage and are excited to introduce this first-ever global team competition with our partners at the European Pickleball Federation.”

“We love the concept of The APP Atlantic Cup and are thrilled that it is a team event between Europe & USA,” said Director and Chair of Pickleball England and the European Pickleball Federation Karen Mitchell. “This will give European Associations an incentive to collaborate to identify the best team to represent our continent.”

The APP Atlantic Cup builds upon the APP’s growing international presence, which included tour stops in England and Spain in 2022. The APP will also announce its schedule of 2023 international events in the coming weeks.

Team captains for both Team USA and Team Europe will be announced in the coming weeks. The selection criteria for the teams will be announced soon, and final rosters will be announced in the coming months.

Founded in 1986, the Polo Club has been recognized as a Platinum Club Member, America’s Healthiest Club, and as a Distinguished Emerald Club of the World. It is one of the nation’s premier resorts that offers world-class tennis, golf and spa amenities in addition to eight permanent pickleball courts that will host the APP Atlantic Cup.

“The Polo Club Boca Raton is looking forward to welcoming Team USA and Team Europe to the APP Atlantic Cup,” said Director of Tennis & Pickleball at the Polo Club Jean Mills. “We are honored to be partnering with the APP to host this incredible event as Polo wholeheartedly supports the growth of pickleball not only in the USA but worldwide.”

About the APP Tour
Founded in 2019, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) serves amateurs, professionals, and senior professionals in one of the fastest growing sports in the country. It is the first and only officially sanctioned tour of USA Pickleball. The 2023 APP Tour slate has 20 tournament stops including four Majors and two Championships, in addition to International and Collegiate Series events. The APP Tour also prides itself on developing the next generation of champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives.

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Media Contacts:
Daniel Sagerman
dsagerman@intersport.global