A Message from the Commissioner
Hello Pickleball Community, It’s hard to believe, but registration for the upcoming season is just around the corner—opening in a couple of weeks!  This is always one of the most exciting times of the year, as new teams form, rosters come together, and we begin the countdown to another great season of competition and camaraderie.
 
In this newsletter, you’ll find important information tailored for both players and captains. Players, you’ll see how to get started—whether you’re returning with your team, or looking to join a new one through our Player Seeking a Team (PSaT) program. Captains, you’ll find details on how to build strong rosters, connect with Free Agents, and prepare for a successful season.

Our league thrives because of your energy, sportsmanship, and love of the game. Let’s gear up for an unforgettable season ahead!
 
Greg Mather

“Nothing in the world is as contagious as laughter and good humor.”

Charles Dickens

Winter Season Calendar

Team Registration Process

Captains, team registration is just around the corner! To register your team, please go to the APPL home page and select RESOURCES/CAPTAIN RESOURCES on the top menu. Click on the Information link to view more information about team registration. The Regional form links are not active until registration begins. When registration is open, click on your Region link to bring up an online registration form. Be prepared to enter your Team Name and, if you are not using an APPL Managed Venue, your Home Court name and day and time.

Remember, you will need at least 6 players confirmed before registering a team. 

See the PSaT article below if you need additional players. If you have questions regarding the skill level for your players (APPL Index rating) to determine flight participation, please refer to the APPL Rules for helpful information. 

Looking for a Team or Needing More Players?

If you’re a player without a team, don’t sit on the sidelines—sign up for our Player Seeking a Team (PSaT) Program! Once you register, you’ll officially become a Free Agent, visible to all team captains who are building or filling their rosters. We even share a list of Free Agents bi-weekly so players at the same skill level can connect and form their own teams. It’s one of the easiest ways to get into the game, meet new people, and keep competing in the league you love. Stay tuned Free Agents – we’ll be emailing you dates for meet-and-greet events to help you form teams! Find the PSaT form HERE.

Captains—this is also your go-to resource for finding great additions for your team! The PSaT list is updated regularly and makes it easy to spot available players in your region and skill level. Whether you need to round out a roster or strengthen your lineup, the Free Agent database is the place to look first. Simply email your LC for the password to access the list for your Region and Skill Level. To find your LC, go to the APPL website > Regions. Select your Region and the regional website will display. Select Contact then pull down the menu in “Send To” box to display the League Contacts by role.

Rules Changes for 2026

The APPL Rules have been updated significantly this year and now include an index to help you find specific areas. Here are some highlights, but this is only a snapshot. To get the full picture, every player and captain needs to read the complete APPL Rules on our website. Taking a few minutes now will ensure you’re ready for the season and help keep matches fun, fair, and stress-free for everyone.

  • New Players Without an APPL Index – There are no longer Captain Ratings; new players must complete a Self-Rating Assessment (located on the APPL website).
  • Appealed Ratings – Approved appeals last for one season, and players with an appealed or self-rating assessment may only play at that Roster Rating level in Open and 50+ flights.
  • 65+ Brackets – New rules now allow for more exceptions in this division. See article below.
  • Substitution & Scoring – Subs are only allowed for injury, illness, or late players listed on the lineup. No warm-up time is allowed.
  • Canceled Matches – We have new policies for canceling matches for inclement weather.
  • Forfeits: A new section has been added, listing the consequences of forfeiting a match.
  • Regional Playoffs – Forfeit handling and tie-breakers for regional winners have been updated; wild-card entries have been added to playoffs for divisions with three sub-flights.

Please refer to the APPL Rules link above for a complete listing of our league rules for the upcoming season.

ATPL Nationals Debut This November

The inaugural Arizona Team Pickleball League National Championships are set for November 6–9 at Pueblo El Mirage in Arizona! Sparked by the requests of teams across multiple states—and made possible through a lot of hard work—league champions will come together this year to compete for the very first ATPL National Title. 

APPL will be strongly represented with 19 teams ready to battle on the national stage. Good luck to all those participating in this inaugural event!

New APPL Managed Venues

APPL is proud to partner with three new premier indoor venues for our Winter 2026 season:

  • The Picklr in Tucson at Oro Valley Marketplace
  • The Pad in Tucson at 300 S Toole Ave
  • The Picklr in Tempe at 1315 W. Elliot Rd

These new venues will be added to our APPL-Managed Venue registration system for your Captain to select from as a possible home court venue.

Reminder for Captains and Players Regarding APPL-Managed Venues:

If you’re planning to use APPL-managed venues—like the ones mentioned above or any of our other partner facilities—please do not contact the venue staff directly about court slots, fees, or availability. All communication should go through your League Coordinator. We’re close to finalizing our Season 2026 venue partners, and your LC will provide you with the full details as soon as they’re ready.

65+ Rule Change

In case you missed the August email, we will be implementing a change to the team entry parameters for the 65+ League, effective with the upcoming season. 

Key Rules That Remain Unchanged
• All participants must be 65 years of age or older.
• Players are not permitted to play down a skill level.

New Team Formation Requirement
• Each team must include a minimum of four (4) players at the team’s flight skill level.  Example: A 4.0 team must include at least four players with an APPL Roster Rating of 4.0.

Roster Flexibility
• There is no limit on the number of Exceptions.
• Exceptions may be rated any amount below the team’s flight skill level.
• Teams may include players with Appealed (A) or Self-Rated (S) designations.

Example: A 65+ 4.0 team must include at least four 4.0-rated players. Additional roster spots may be filled with 3.5’s, 3.0’s, 3.5A’s, or 3.0S’s in any combination of numbers and roster ratings.

“To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”­
Arthur Ashe

Help Grow APPL!

We’re calling on all players to help grow our league by inviting 2.5 players and younger athletes (18+) to join an APPL team this season.

2.5 Skill Level Players
Many players start out at 2.5, and this is where some of the fastest growth in pickleball is happening. By encouraging your friends, neighbors, and fellow players at this level to sign up, you’ll be helping them find fair, competitive matches that are both fun and confidence-building. The more 2.5 players who join, the stronger and more balanced our league becomes.

Open-Age Players 18+
We also need your help spreading the word to players in the 18+ age division. Our Open Age flights include players 18+, many of whom are 30- and 40-year-olds working for a living. To better accommodate players’ work schedules, APPL is working hard to secure indoor venues for evening and weekend play. We hope more flexible court times will enable more players in this age division to join APPL.

A quick invite from you could be the reason someone new joins APPL. Let’s keep building the future of our league—one player at a time!

Shop APPL Gear

Show your league pride on and off the courts with products purchased from our official APPL Online Store, powered by Picklehigh. From shirts, jackets, hats, and visors to water bottles, stickers, wine glasses, and more—we’ve got something for every player and fan. Whether you’re looking to stay cool during matches, rep the league around town, or pick up a fun gift, you’ll find excellent options from our APPL store!

Pickleball Eyes the Olympic Stage

The dream of seeing pickleball under the Olympic rings is gaining real traction! Olympic inclusion requires meeting strict International Olympic Committee standards. A sport must be played by men in at least 75 countries (across four continents) and by women in at least 40 countries (across three continents). As of mid-2024, pickleball was being played in about 60 countries on six continents ~ progress, but still shy of official thresholds. Brisbane in 2032 appears to be a possibility. We look forward to the inclusion of pickleball as an Olympic sport in the, hopefully, not too distant future!

How to Settle an On-Court Dispute

Disagreements happen—whether it’s a close line call, confusion over the score, or a question about serve position. The key isn’t just knowing the rule—it’s handling the moment with respect and composure.

  1. Pause and Breathe – Take a quick breath before reacting. A calm tone sets the stage for resolution.
  2. Acknowledge the Disagreement – Simply saying “Let’s sort this out” shows you’re focused on fairness, not winning the argument.
  3. Use Clear Communication – State what you saw or believe in simple, non-defensive terms. Example: “I saw it just out.”
  4. Give Benefit of the Doubt – If uncertain, defer to the opponent’s call or agree to replay the point. Preserving good sportsmanship is more valuable than a single rally.
  5. Move On Quickly – Once resolved, refocus on the next serve. Dwelling on it only rattles both teams.

Mindset: A calm, fair resolution builds trust and keeps the match enjoyable. Great captains and players model this behavior and help make APPL a positive experience for everyone. Enjoy the competition while being a great teammate and opponent! See you on the courts soon!

APPL Team Trainings will begin again in December – You can learn more from NPL Senior Pro Brian Martin HERE.