As America prepares to celebrate Independence Day and the nation’s 250th birthday, players from across New England will gather at Sippican Tennis Club for a tennis tournament that combines competitive sport with support for local veterans and military families.
The 2026 Heroes Cup, scheduled for June 27-29 at Sippican Tennis Club in Marion, Massachusetts, is a fully verified UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) event and an official stop on the national BTB Heroes Tour presented by BeyondTheBaselines.com in partnership with UTR.
This year’s event features a $5,000 prize purse – double the amount offered in 2025 – and expands its adult competition by adding Men’s and Women’s Open Doubles divisions alongside the established Open Singles events for both juniors and adults.
Most importantly, proceeds from the tournament will benefit Heroes in Transition, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, service members and military families through programs focused on health, wellness and community support.
“We are proud to have grown this tournament over the past five years to such a level where we can give at least half of what we offer in prize money back to local veterans,” said Ed Shanaphy, Tournament Director and founder of the BTB Heroes Tour. “As we approach Independence Day and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it feels especially meaningful to host an event that honors those who have served our country while bringing together players from across New England in competition.”
“The pride, commitment to excellence, and community spirit involved in making the Heroes Cup Tournament so impactful aligns directly with the values of Heroes In Transition,” said HIT Executive Director Silene Gordon. “We are grateful to be named as the beneficiary of the 2026 event and are grateful to Director Ed Shanaphy and the members of the Sippican Tennis Club for this meaningful support of our military community.”
The Heroes Cup is unique within amateur tennis, serving as the only national tournament series specifically designed to support local veterans and military families through grassroots charitable organizations in each host community.
Tournament divisions include:
-Men’s Open Singles
-Women’s Open Singles
-Men’s Open Doubles
-Women’s Open Doubles
-Boys UTR Level-Based Under 6 Division
-Girls UTR Level-Based Under 6 Division
Players of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Every entrant is guaranteed two full matches through the tournament’s draw structure and will receive an official tournament shirt.
The addition of UTR level-based junior divisions ensures competitive and evenly matched play while providing young athletes with valuable verified-match experience. The BTB Heroes Tour takes pride in bringing adult and junior draws under one tournament umbrella at each tour stop.
The Heroes Cup has become one of the premier summer tennis events on the South Coast and Cape Cod region, drawing competitors from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and beyond. Tournament organizers expect the largest field in event history, perhaps over 150 players, as the BTB Heroes Tour continues its national expansion.
“The BTB Heroes Tour was built on the belief that tennis can make a meaningful impact beyond the court,” Shanaphy added. “Every entry fee helps support local military families and veterans while giving players a first-class competitive experience.”
Spectators are encouraged to attend throughout the tournament weekend. A suggested $10 donation will be collected at the event, with 100 percent of spectator donations benefiting Heroes in Transition, Inc. and its mission of supporting veterans, service members and military families throughout Massachusetts and New England.