APP Breakthrough Series 2025 Launches to Boost Emerging Talent
What's the Score?
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has officially announced the inaugural schedule for the APP Breakthrough Series in 2025. This new tournament circuit is specifically designed to showcase emerging pro pickleball talent and provide more opportunities to play in high-quality tournaments.
Hit it deeper!
The APP Breakthrough Series events are targeted towards up-and-coming pro players who aim to advance their careers and amateur players looking for more competitive opportunities. The tournaments are structured similarly to APP Tour events and are open to players of all skill levels, from 3.0 rated players up to aspiring professionals, across various brackets for all ages. Participation allows players to earn additional points, rankings, and prize money, creating a pathway for them to potentially "breakthrough" into the main APP Tour competitions. Unlike APP Tour events, the Breakthrough Series tournaments will not be televised or livestreamed. APP Founder Ken Herrmann stated that the Breakthrough Series "begins an exciting new chapter" at the APP, offering unprecedented opportunities for both pro and amateur players. He emphasised that the APP's core mission is to be a resource for all players, especially at the grassroots level, and this series will allow more players to demonstrate their skills, receive a high-standard tournament experience, and continue their pickleball journey with the APP. Five events are scheduled for 2025 across the United States: Boise, ID (September 4–7), Brigham City, UT (September 24–27), Griffin, GA (October 16–19), Detroit, MI (October 23–26), and Robbinsville, NJ (November 6–9). Event pages are available online, with player registrations opening soon.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The introduction of the APP Breakthrough Series in 2025 is presented as a significant step that adds more competitions to the sport, which is generally seen as beneficial for pickleball's growth. By providing a structured pathway for players to earn points, rankings, and prize money, the series directly supports the development of talent at various levels, aiming to help players reach the professional ranks. This initiative highlights the APP's commitment to fostering growth from the grassroots level upwards.