Rules / Qualifications / FAQ's

2021 Tournament Season

FAQ

Most frequently asked questions and answers
A: There are 18 tournaments* on the 2021 APP Tour, concluding with the season ending The APP Masters International Pickleball Championships held on January 18 – 23, 2022.
A: To be eligible to gain entry into the 2022 APP Masters in Boca Raton, pros must have played a minimum of four APP Tour events. Senior Pros and amateurs needed to have played two events. The amateurs must play in two events to be able to “preregister” and then after the preregistration period ends, all amateurs are allowed to register with no minimum requirements. Eligible APP Tour stops for all players consists of any events played from the 2020 Chicago Open (September), through the current date in 2021.

The APP Masters in Boca Raton is a Golden Ticket tournament on the NCS Series where gold medalists will receive early registration into Nationals at Indian Wells, California.

WILD CARDS: If you have not played in the required APP tournaments you may apply for a wild card. Or you may play in additional tournaments for 2021. Including Hilton Head Open, Casa Grande Open, or the World Pickleball Open tournaments in order to meet the required tournaments for registration. Once you have played the required tournaments, you will be allowed to register. Wild cards will be provided for six (6) male pros, six (6) female pros, four (4) senior male pros, and four (4) senior female pros for this tournament. The pros and senior pros need to send requests for a wild card to the APP Wild Card Committee, info@apptour.org. Describe in 500 words or less why you deserve one of the wild cards. Deadline for the request is September 29, 2021, 7:00pm ET. Place either Senior Pro Wild Card or Pro Wild Card in the subject line. Announcement of the wild card winners will be provided soon after September 29th.
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A: Yes. The following 2020 Tour events and your rankings will roll over into 2021 Tour: Chicago Open, Las Vegas Open, Cincinnati Open and Hilton Head Open.
A: For the 2021 APP Tour, pros and senior pros that are ranked on the Onix Dura Cumulative Standings lists in their top groups respectively will receive pro stipends: Pros – Top seven each gender receive free entries and a $250 stipend for expenses for that event desired to play. Senior Pros – Top three each gender receive free entries and a $250 stipend for expenses for that event desired to play. The most current APP / Onix Dura Cumulative Standings Lists will be used for the pro’s desired event registered, on the close date for that particular tour stop. Click here for prize money payout by event and medals.
2021 Rules & Qualifications

Professional & Senior Professional Divisions

Section 1

The APP Tour will have a two-tier system based on each tournament’s total payout purse. Points will be awarded for matches won and players will be placed on the APP Standings List after each event has concluded.

Section 2

The following tournaments are Tier I: Delray Beach Pickleball Open, Atlanta Metro Open, Hilton Head Open, and Casa Grande Open. A Tier I tour event will have a total purse greater than $50,000.  See Tournaments Prize Money
 

Section 3

The following tournaments are Tier II: Punta Gorda Open, Los Angles Open, Beer City Open, World Pickleball Open, Cincinnati Open, So Cal Classic, Chicago Open, Indianapolis Open, Pacific Northwest Classic, Las Vegas Metro Open, and New Jersey Open. A Tier II tour event will have a minimal purse of $25,000 but no greater than $49,000.  See Tournaments Prize Money

*Minimum of eight players / teams per draw to secure 100% payout of money offered for that division. If the minimum is not met per draw, tournament directors will notify players ahead of brackets drawn and review the proposed financial payout and point distribution for the modified draw

Section 4

POINT DISTRIBUTION: The point distribution for Tier I tour events for Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles.* 

  • Winner – 600 
  • Runner Up – 480 
  • 3rd – 360 
  • 4th – 240

*40 points awarded each main draw win (non-top four finisher)
*20 points awarded each back draw win (non-top four finisher)

Section 5

POINT DISTRIBUTION: The point distribution for Tier II tour events for Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles.* 

  • Winner – 300 
  • Runner Up – 240 
  • 3rd – 180 
  • 4th – 120

*20 points awarded each main draw win (non-top four finisher) *10 points awarded each back draw win (non-top four finisher)

Section 6

ELIGIBILITY: Professionals qualifying for the APP Masters Championships will need to have played and completed in four (4) tour events. Senior professionals qualifying for the APP Masters Championships need to play and complete two (2) events.

Amateur Divisions

Section 7

The following amateur divisions will be offered for the eleven (11) Tour events: Ages: 19+, 35+, 50+, 60+, 65+, and 70+ Skill Level: Singles 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 ,4.5 and 5.0 Doubles and Mixed Doubles: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. ELIGIBILITY: Players qualifying for the APP Masters Championships will need to have played and completed in two (2) Tour events. Players can play unlimited events.

Section 8

OFFICIAL BALL: ONIX Dura Fast 40

Section 9

FORMAT: All Tour events and The APP Masters will be a double elimination; all players will have the ability to play for the Gold Medal match through the consolation bracket. All players are guaranteed two (2) matches.

Approved Structure of the 2021 APP Tour
Updated April 2021