It's good to be back.

Since 2019, the north shores of Lake Michigan have hosted the world's first and world's best pickleball tour in what's become Chicago's premier annual pickleball event. This year, the APP Tour is bringing two thrilling events: the Shriners Children's APP Pro Invitational Chicago, and the2026 APP Vlasic Classic Chicago Benefiting Shriners Children's.  

Hundreds of pickleball players from across the globe will head to Danny Cunniff Park in Highland Park, IL this week for elite pickleball action supporting an amazing cause. From amateurs of all ages, to the sport’s elite professionals, to the AARP Champions (50+) and Masters (60+) divisionsand Humana Cup competition, all will compete for ranking points, prize money and plenty of hardware leading up to a national TV broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

On Thursday, Aug. 6, the top pros in the sport will battle for ultimate bragging rights at the second Shriners Children's APP Pro Invitational of the season. Eight mixed doubles pairings will compete against one another in this one-of-a-kind event, all benefiting Shriners Children's. With strict time limits, the return of Competitive Edges such as the Power Play Token, no time-outs, and more, the event will be fast-paced, intense, and jaw-dropping exciting. Here's everything you need to know about the format!

In proud support of Shriners Children’s, the APP will donate $100 for every point scored throughout the event. This means every rally counts, no matter the score, as we fundraise for an amazing cause!

The APP Vlasic Classic Chicago Benefiting Shriners Children’s is once again a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, meaning gold medalists earn the right to secure their spot at the 2026 USAP National Championships.  

Without further ado, here are the top pro storylines heading into the 2026 APP Vlasic Classic Chicago Benefiting Shriners Children’s.

INTERNATIONAL STARS TAKE THE STAGE

The APP Tour's global superstars are ready to return to the U.S. after racking up hardware across the globe. The Netherlands' Roos Van Reek earned a Triple Crown with three gold medals at the Leapmotor APP Asia Penang Open, where Vietnam's Quang Duong took home two golds of his own and a silver. Lastly, DUPR's No. 1-ranked junior pro from Australia Nicola Schoeman is primed for her 2026 APP Tour debut.

JACK ATTACK

Jack Munro added two more gold medals to his trophy case in Cincinnati, taking home the men's pro doubles title with Richard Livornese, Jr. and mixed doubles title with Jill Braverman. The Austin, TX native is tied for the lead among men's pros with three (3) APP Tour gold medals thus far in 2026. Munro also won both the men's and mixed pro doubles titles in Chicago in 2025.

KAT'S GOT CLAWS

Katerina Stewart secured her second APP Tour gold, and first women's pro doubles gold, of the 2026 season last time out in Cincinnati. The Miami native sits squarely as the APP Tour's No. 1 women's pro singles seed, and will defend her title in Chicago.

TRIPLE BRONZE BADDIE BOBBI

When asked how she'd like to be referred to after winning three bronze medals in Cincinnati, Bobbi Oshiro simply replied, "Triple Bronze Baddie Bobbi". The Hawaii native's three bronze medals pushed her season total medal count to seven (7), leading all APP Tour pros.

RICHARD ON A ROLL

Following a two-medal performance in Sacramento, Richard Livornese, Jr. took home another gold in Cincinnati with his second-straight men's doubles title alongside Jack Munro. Livornese, Jr. and Munro will look to follow the 90's Bulls' footsteps with a three-peat in Chicago.

FUDGE ON TOP

Megan Fudge is the APP Tour's all-time leader in total career medals (89), a record she set at the 2025 APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati. Fudge (32 golds) is now one gold medal away from tying Simone Jardim for the most career women's pro gold medals (33). Before her storied pickleball career, Fudge starred in women's tennis at the Univ. of Illinois-Urbana Champaign.

BOYER GETS THE BIG ONE

Dusty Boyer broke through in Cincinnati, winning his first career APP Tour gold medal after defeating Ronan Camron in the men's pro singles final. Boyer took home men's pro singles bronze in Chicago in 2025.

BRAVERMANIA

Jill Braverman won her first APP Tour gold medal of the season in Cincinnati, teaming up with Jack Munro for the mixed pro doubles title.

HOMETOWN CHAMP RETURNS

Ammar Wazir, a native of Hoffman Estates, IL, and former tennis player at the Univ. of Illinois-Chicago, won a thrilling men's pro singles final in 2025 in Chicago, and will look to reclaim his crown in front of his hometown crowd.

DON'T DOUBT DOMI

Domenika Turkovic secured her third APP Tour medal of the season in Cincinnati, surpassing her 2025 total medal count (2). Look for her to continue her impressive start to the season!

DON’T MISS THE ACTION

Live coverage from Highland Park begins on Wednesday, Aug. 5 with the Shriners Children's APP Pro Invitational starting at 7:45 pm ET. The action continues Thursday, Aug. 6 with the APP Vlasic Classic Chicago Benefiting Shriners Children's starting at 3 pm ET. Director of APP Selkirk Collegiate Series Dominic Catalano and APP U.S. National Team head coach Chad Edwards, plus national sports broadcasters Lawrencia Moten and Sam Brief will be on the call, with all action airing on APPTV on YouTube.  

Fans can stay posted on all the action on TheAPP.global and by following the APP’s social media pages: @OfficialAPPTour on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Threads and APP Tour on Facebook.

Venue:

Danny Cunniff Park

2700 Trail Way

Highland Park, IL 60035

Broadcast Info (all times Eastern):
Championship Court 

Thursday 8/6 | 1 - 7 pm ET | YouTube

Thursday 8/6 | 8 - 11 pm ET | YouTube (Pro Invitational)

Friday 8/7 | 3 - 9:30 pm ET | YouTube

Saturday 8/8 | 12:30 - 7 pm ET | YouTube

Sunday 8/9 | 1 - 7 pm ET | YouTube

Chex Mix Players Court

Thursday 8/6 | 1 - 7 pm ET | YouTube

Friday 8/7 | 1 - 7 pm ET | YouTube

Saturday 8/8 | 10:30 am - 4:30 pm ET | YouTube

Sunday 8/9 | 9 am - 1 pm ET | YouTube

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Full tournament schedule and results are available via Pickleball Den.