
The Path to Nationals
USA Pickleball Golden Ticket
Cincinnati, OH
Event Type: APP Golden Ticket
Dates: May 7-11, 2025
Registration Ended: April 29, 2025
Tournament Details and Links
Thank you for your participation in what’s going to be a wonderful event. Please make sure you read the notes below as you register, and don’t forget to tell your friends and family to come join us at the event. Tickets for the tournament are on sale now via TheAPP.global.
First up, and this is an important one – please make sure you pay in full when you register. We can’t make exceptions, so when you sign up, please ensure you’ve paid. Thank you.
Next, this is a USA Pickleball sanctioned tournament, so all players need to have a current USA Pickleball CHAMPION level membership that’s active through the end of the tournament to be able to register. You’ll need to include your membership number in your player profile, please!
Now, amateur players – this one’s for you!
What does it mean to be registered?
- Player in a singles amateur division has registered and paid the tournament fees
- Player in a doubles amateur event; both players have registered and both players have paid the tournament fees
You or your team could be moved to the waitlist: (see the following items)
- If your partner (doubles) has not registered/paid
- Contract to play is between players and it is their responsibility to comply with the tournament requirements to participate as stated above - player responsibility
Playing in Amateur Events:
- Players may only play in one division per day.
- Brackets will be filled on a first come basis.
- As a waitlist develops, we will be managing bracket sizes to accommodate demand.
- Therefore bracket maximums may be adjusted from registration opening to day of play.
Skill Player Partner Replacement Policy:
Any registered player losing a partner, after registrations have closed, must replace that partner with an already registered player. The replacement must be in the same skill/age group that you are scheduled to play. Players can play down in age and up in skill. Replacements need to be known and communicated to the registration coordinator EMAIL - APP.Cincy@outlook.com by 4pm the day before you are scheduled to play. Replacements can be found on the players needing partners list, which can be found on utrsports.net.
Payment of Skill Partner Replacement Players:
- If the cancellation deadline hasn't passed, the player withdrawing from the event would be refunded, less $25 withdrawal fee and the UTR software fees.
- The player entering the event would need to pay any tournament fees and the UTR software fee.
- If the registration deadline has passed, then the player withdrawing would not be refunded the player entry fee.
- All players must pay the player entry fee; the division fee would have to be reimbursed by the replacement player.
- Please note that no refunds or credits for any reason will be issed for any reason after the cancellation deadline, as stated above, unless the Registration & Weather Insurance Policy has been purchased. The APP’s advice is to purchase that insurance.
Event fees:
- Player Entry Fee is $85, granting the athlete credential.
- Amateur Division Fee - $40
- Pro Division Fee - $130
- AARP Champion Pro Division Fee - $125
REGISTRATION & WEATHER INSURANCE POLICY
- If you withdraw before the cancellation deadline, you will be issued a full refund, less the cancellation fee, without the need to purchase Registration Insurance.
- During registration, you may choose to purchase the Registration & Weather Insurance in the division you have to cancel out of the event after the cancellation deadline, as stated above. Please see the policy for specific coverage details.
Code of Conduct:
- All players will be held to the Player Code of Conduct. This ensures we have the APP tournament experience players know and love, so please adhere to this at all times.
- Thank you for joining us for the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic - Cincinnati. We can’t wait to see you on court!
The APP Tour strives to give all amateur participants a minimum of 4 games of play - weather conditions may impact the 4 game minimum
Divisions in the ages younger than 65, will be combined to created a bracket with a minimum of 4 teams/players. Brackets of 65 and older may be combined by age, rather than skill level.
Please see the following for the format for all amateur play – please know that we may need to make adjustments or for the age groups of 65 and older.
**due to withdrawals - your bracket may be combined with other divisions or adjusted - please check the number of teams in your bracket once published & before your start time.
- A bracket of 4 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; after group play; ALL teams will advance to playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 5 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; after group play; the TOP 4 teams will advance to playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 6 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; after group play, the TOP 4 teams will advance to playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 7 teams; RR-1 to 11 by 2; after group play, the TOP 4 teams will advance to playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 8 teams, 2 groups of 4 teams;RR-1 to 15 by 2; ALL teams will advance to single elimination playoffs.
- A bracket of 9 teams, 1 group of 4 teams and 1 group of 5 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; ALL teams will advance to single elimination playoffs.
- A bracket of 10 teams, 2 groups of 5 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; the TOP 2 teams from each group will advance to the playoffs & play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 11 teams, 1 group of 5 teams and 1 group of 6 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; the TOP 2 teams from each group will advance to the playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 12 teams; 2 groups of 6 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; the TOP 2 teams from each group will advance to the playoffs and play 2 more matches.
- A bracket of 15 teams; 3 groups of 5 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; the TOP 2 teams from each group will advance to single elimination playoffs.
- A bracket of 18 teams; 3 groups of 6 teams; RR-1 to 15 by 2; the TOP 2 teams from each group will advance to the playoffs and play 2 more matches.
PLAYOFFS = a single elimination bracket with a BRONZE medal playoff - winners of semi-finals will play for GOLD/SILVER and losers will play in BRONZE medal match - winner of that match is awarded BRONZE.
**depending on registration, new group numbers may be added ** all players will be texted a reminder the day before play of the playoff format