Pickleball joins the lineup of NIRSA Championship Series sports

NIRSA is excited to announce a new partnership with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), Selkirk Sport, and USA Pickleball!

NIRSA will be joining these three leading pickleball organizations to serve and grow college pickleball across North America through a variety of initiatives. Each organization can bring strengths to benefit pickleball program administrators and college student participants, resulting in more pickleball and healthier, more inclusive college communities.

“Pickleball opportunities have been growing on seemingly every NIRSA member campus, and we’re excited to pair the experience and influence of the NIRSA Championship Series network with such leading names in the pickleball world,” says Nicole Jackson, NIRSA Director of National Sport Programs.

What it means for the collegiate pickleball scene

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—it becomes the only college property sanctioned by the sport’s governing body. A series of regional qualifiers will be hosted across the country and culminate the season with the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships, where schools and individuals will compete for scholarship money, gold medals, and national bragging rights as collegiate pickleball champions.

Longtime partner Chicken N Pickle—where elevated eats from a chef-driven menu meet friendly competition with pickleball and yard games—expands its partnership with the APP and becomes a nationwide host venue for the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series. Visit TheAPP.global website to access the college schedule.

2025-2026 NIRSA Championship Series pickleball schedule

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

Why it matters for our stakeholders

“I am so grateful for the incredible collaboration between the APP, NIRSA, Selkirk, and USA Pickleball,” says 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, education and equipment to technology 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 Program Liaison.

“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 lineup of championship tournament sports.”

Selkirk is a pioneer of USA-manufactured pickleball paddles and equipment. Selkirk offers sponsorship opportunities to top performing schools and players competing in the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series and provides equipment to schools starting new pickleball programs. Additionally, the Selkirk TV channel on YouTube provides significant exposure for college pickleball and its top players. “We believe college campuses are a critical touchpoint for expanding pickleball’s reach,” says 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 is committed to nurturing the growth of pickleball within the collegiate space, recognizing the unique opportunity colleges present for expanding our sport,” says Chris Zukas, Vice President of Membership Development & Service at USA Pickleball, the sport’s National Governing Body. “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.” Program startup and court conversion grants, membership discounts, a toolkit, and more available through USA Pickleball.

Learn more about our partners

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

• Learn more about the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) at theapp.global or follow the APP’s Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn channels.
• Learn more about Selkirk Sport at selkirk.com.
• Learn more about USA Pickleball at usapickleball.org.
• Learn more about the NIRSA Championship Series at play.nirsa.net/nirsa-championship-series/.