In yet another positive development for pickleball, various stakeholders in the US have teamed up to drive the sport forward at the collegiate level, ensuring a steady stream of talent for the world’s fastest-rising sport and another avenue for players, both in the US and even internationally, to hone their pickleball skills.

These stakeholders are the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), Selkirk Sport, and USA Pickleball, and they are joining forces to serve and grow college pickleball across the US. Through a variety of initiatives, these four organisations are bringing their strengths to bear for the benefit of the sport, recreation, and intramural administrators, and college students, resulting in more pickleball and healthier, more inclusive college communities.

“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 organisation has stepped up to bring meaningful benefits to college programmes and players. From funding and education to equipment and a national competition platform, this offering will be transformational for college pickleball.”

Dominic Catalano, a 20+ year pickleball veteran, coach, and lead broadcaster of the APP Tour, will spearhead APP’s leadership as Director of APP Collegiate Series. Catalano will be joined by longtime APP Tour pro, Susannah Barr, as College Player and Programme Liaison.

Since debuting in the 2023–24 academic year, the APP’s college property will be primed for its biggest year yet. Now a NIRSA Championship Series event, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will officially be sanctioned by USA Pickleball—making it the only college property sanctioned by the sport’s governing body. 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. 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.

Longtime partner Chicken N Pickle expands its successful partnership with the APP and continues as the primary host venue for the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series. See below or visit TheAPP.global to access the college schedule.

Each partner will play a critical role in spearheading the growth of college pickleball in the United States.

NIRSA: Elevating College Pickleball and Inspiring Wellness

NIRSA is a leader in higher education and the advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellbeing, and now the go-to resource for campus recreation professionals looking to start or grow their campus’ pickleball programmes. The APP Selkirk Collegiate Series events now receive exclusive designation as part of the NIRSA Championship Series, which provides premier championship experiences in intramural and recreational sports nationwide. 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.

“College is a huge opportunity for millions of students to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime,” says Pam Watts, CAE, and NIRSA Executive Director. “Each year, member campuses have been expanding their pickleball offerings, and so we’re excited to partner with the Association of Pickleball Players, Selkirk, and USA Pickleball to bring pickleball to the NIRSA Championship Series line-up.”

Selkirk: Creating Opportunities and Driving Exposure for College Pickleball

Selkirk, a pioneer of USA-manufactured pickleball paddles and equipment, returns as a standout partner of the APP and will play a prominent role in fuelling the growth of college pickleball. Notably, Selkirk becomes the official title sponsor of the APP’s collegiate pickleball initiatives, now known as the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series.

Selkirk will offer sponsorship opportunities to top-performing schools and players competing in the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series, and provide equipment to schools starting new pickleball programmes. Lastly, live coverage from the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships will air on Selkirk Pickleball TV, alongside APPTV on YouTube. With more than 1,000,000 monthly views, Selkirk TV provides significant exposure for college pickleball and its top players.

“We believe college campuses are a critical touchpoint for expanding pickleball’s reach,” said Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. “Collegiate athletes represent the next generation of players and ambassadors, and partnering on this initiative is a powerful way to help expand access, create competitive opportunities, and foster a lifelong passion for the sport.”

USA Pickleball: The Go-To Resource for College Pickleball Administrators and Players

As the sport’s National Governing Body, USA Pickleball is deeply committed to providing funding and education to grow the game at the college level. In addition to providing travel funds and other incentives to college programmes, USA Pickleball, through its charitable arm, USA Pickleball Serves, offers two primary grants: the Grow the Game grant, which supplies start-up equipment such as paddles, nets, and balls, and the Play It Forward grant, which helps schools and communities install or convert courts for pickleball use.

USA Pickleball will also offer accessible pricing for membership to college students, host a national club directory to connect college programmes nationwide, and provide a “Complete College Toolkit” with essential resources and educational materials for college programmes. Additionally, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will be officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball – making it the only college pickleball property sanctioned by the sport’s governing body.

“USA Pickleball is committed to nurturing the growth of pickleball within the collegiate space, recognising the unique opportunity colleges present for expanding our sport,” said Chris Zukas, Vice President of Membership Development & 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.”

A Path Asian Countries Can Take to Grow Pickleball

This collaboration between the APP, NIRSA, Selkirk Sport, and USA Pickleball and its overriding goal in growing the sport at the collegiate level can serve as a vital lesson for the Asian pickleball landscape.

Specifically, it shows how powerful partnerships can be in growing the sport. By embedding pickleball into college programs, the US has created a sustainable pipeline of young players who see the sport not just as recreation but as a competitive pathway. Asia can learn from this model by working with schools, universities, and sports councils to formally integrate pickleball into curricula and intramural activities. With the support of local federations and regional education authorities, pickleball could grow naturally at the grassroots level, much like badminton and table tennis have.

Another key lesson is the role of collaboration beyond education. In the US, equipment makers like Selkirk act as more than suppliers; they sponsor events, lower barriers to entry, and help build community. For Asia, involving sporting brands (think Sypik and Facolos in Vietnam and TecniQ Sports in the Philippines), local businesses, and even regional sports ministries could accelerate adoption by making the game accessible and inclusive.

Most importantly, Asia can emulate the US focus on structured competition, inclusivity, and long-term planning. By aligning schools, federations, and industry, pickleball in Asia could move from being a novelty to becoming a mainstream, community-centered sport with clear pathways for both casual and professional players.