APP Expands Its Global Reach with Bold New Partnerships
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has fired a significant shot in the ongoing battle to globalize the sport by expanding its international footprint through new and extended partnerships. The organization announced on June 11th its collaboration with Global Sports Pickleball (GSP), India’s leading pickleball body, and a renewed agreement with Pickleball England, which operates the continent’s largest tournament, the English Open. These moves signal a strategic effort by the APP to not only export American expertise but to nurture reciprocal development that brings international talent into U.S. training academies and tours.
The renewed collaboration with Pickleball England, now in its fourth year, continues to be a cornerstone of APP’s European strategy. The English Open has grown into the biggest event outside of the United States, and APP’s involvement—from sending top-tier players to streaming the event on APP-TV—has elevated both its prestige and financial viability. This tournament serves as the primary fundraising event for Pickleball England, which uses the proceeds to fund grassroots programs and coaching curriculum aimed at youth engagement and development. Their goal? To become “the Carlsberg of events”—probably the best in the world.
Meanwhile, the new deal with India’s Global Sports Pickleball has been in the works for two years, ever since APP and GSP first connected at the English Open. The relationship took off after APP pros Rob Nunnery and Andrei Daescu traveled to India to compete and win the Indian Open, helping to spotlight Indian players like Armaan Bhatia, who has since medaled in major U.S. tournaments. With cross-seeding of top APP players into India’s marquee events, and reciprocal training opportunities at APP’s Fort Lauderdale facility, the partnership aims to build competitive parity and eventually integrate results into a future global ranking system—one of APP founder Ken Herrmann’s long-term goals. As GSP’s Shashank Khaitan puts it, this isn’t just partnership; it’s a shared vision for a global game.
