APP, NIRSA, Selkirk and USA Pickleball Unite to Lead Future of College Pickleball

The Association of Pickleball Players, National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association, Selkirk Sport and USA Pickleball are joining forces to serve and grow college pickleball across the United States.

Since debuting in the 2023-24 academic year, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will be a NIRSA Championship Series event sanctioned by USA Pickleball. The APP will host seven regional qualifiers across the country and culminate the season with the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships hosted at The Courts, Cape Coral in March 2026.

“I am so grateful for the incredible collaboration between the APP, NIRSA, Selkirk and USA Pickleball,” said Shannon Dan, EVP of Strategy and Growth at the APP. “Our collective mission is to grow the game of pickleball on college campuses and each organization has stepped up to bring meaningful benefits to college programs and players. From funding and education to equipment and a national competition platform, this offering will be transformational for college pickleball.”

In total, college players will battle for $85,000 in prize money, including $5,000 per qualifier and $50,000 in the APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships. Pickleball joins basketball, flag football, soccer, and tennis as part of the NIRSA Championship Series portfolio, expanding experiential learning opportunities for thousands of NIRSA members.

“USA Pickleball is committed to nurturing the growth of pickleball within the collegiate space, recognizing the unique opportunity colleges present for expanding our sport,” said Chris Zukas, vice president of membership development and service at USA Pickleball. “We’re focused on equipping administrators, coaches, and students with meaningful resources and dedicated support that they need. By investing in college pickleball today, we’re shaping the future of our sport, building a strong foundation for continued growth.”

2025-26 Season Schedule

October 25-26: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Idaho (The Flying Pickle Boise, Idaho)
November 8-9: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Arizona [held alongside the APP Mesa Open] (Arizona Athletic Grounds Mesa, Arizona)
November 15-16: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Colorado (Chicken N Pickle Thornton, Colorado)
November 22-23: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Kansas (Chicken N Pickle Overland Park, Kansas)
January 10-11: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Florida (The Courts Cape Coral, Florida)
January 24-25: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Texas (Chicken N Pickle Webster, Texas)
January 31-February 1: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – New Jersey (Pickleball Kingdom Hamilton, New Jersey)
March 6-8: APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships (The Courts Cape Coral, Florida)