Dallas… WOW. What just happened at Pickler Universe was nothing short of historic. From the first serve to the final trophy lift, the 2025 The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship delivered everything that makes pickleball special: competition, community, and moments you’ll be talking about all year.

After five jam-packed days in Dallas, the world’s largest amateur team pickleball tournament officially wrapped with:

• 1,000 players
• 318 teams
• 9 international teams
• 35 U.S. states
• Players from 23 countries
• $100,000 prize purse

The medals have been handed out. The costumes are packed away for next year. And the last piece of confetti has been swept off Championship Court.

A Truly Global Championship

Pickleball players traveled to Dallas from every corner of the globe, turning the National Championship into a true international celebration of the sport’s explosive growth. We welcomed competitors from Romania, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, China, India, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and many more, each bringing their own culture, passion, and competitive fire to MiLP’s biggest stage.

And the diversity didn’t stop there.

This championship showcased pickleball at every age and every level. Players ranged from just 10 years old to 76, proving once again that this sport truly is for everyone. At 76, Rochelle Martinez earned a bronze medal with her team in the Women’s DUPR 9 V3 category, an inspiring reminder that competitive pickleball has no age limit.

“I always knew that if I keep playing any kind of sport, it would keep me young…One of my friends took me to play pickleball, which I really didn’t want to play, but once I started playing it,  I loved it” - Rochelle Martinez shared. 

On the other end of the spectrum, 11-year-old Carsen Ngo captured a gold medal in both the Men’s DUPR 11 V3 division and DUPR 14 open age division, showing that the future of the sport is already here.

From rising juniors to seasoned competitors, the courts in Dallas reflected the full spectrum of what pickleball has become: a global, inclusive, and fiercely competitive community.

This Year By the Numbers

This was the largest MiLP National Championship in history:

• 1,300 total registrations
• 1,000 unique competitors
• 318 teams across all divisions
• Nearly 200 athletes competed in multiple events
• Youngest competitor: 10
• Oldest competitor: 76
  

And perhaps the most impressive stat of all…

It was the tournament with the most DreamBreakers!

Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t love a spicy DreamBreaker? MiLP Nationals 2025 delivered a lot of them.

This year’s championship set a new record for the most DreamBreakers played across all divisions, and it showed just how competitive the field really was. Match after match came down to those pressure-packed tiebreakers where singles skills take over, nerves get tested, and momentum can flip in seconds.

And that’s the point. When you see this many DreamBreakers, it’s a strong sign that the DUPR algorithm is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do: creating fair, balanced matchups where every game, and every point, matters.

One of the most unforgettable moments came from one of the 28 Cranky Pickle teams competing at the event. In the DUPR 14 division, the Cranky Pickle Opossums were staring at a 12–20 deficit in the DreamBreaker. Most teams would have called it there. They didn’t.

Point by point, they clawed their way back and pulled off an incredible 23–21 comeback. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why no lead is ever safe at MiLP Nationals, and why DreamBreakers are some of the best drama pickleball has to offer.

Top Moments of the Week

You’ve probably already seen a few of these, but if not, pause what you’re doing and catch up. These moments defined MiLP Nationals 2025.

🎥 An 11-Year-Old Hits the ATP of the Year
Carson Ngo delivered an all-time ATP that lit up the internet and instantly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the entire championship. Watch it here. 

🎥 From 12–20 to 23–21: A DreamBreaker Comeback for the Ages
One of the wildest momentum swings of the week. Down big in the DreamBreaker, this team refused to fold and pulled off a comeback that had the entire venue buzzing. Check it out here.

🎥 Two Ernes, One Point — Ricardo Torres (Puerto Rico)
Ricardo Torres put on a show in the DUPR 16 division, landing not one but two Ernes in the same point to seal it for his team. Pure confidence, perfect timing. Watch it here.

🎥 Nationals… in Jeans?
Yes, really. Josiah Watje from the Brooklyn Pickleball Team picked up a win at Nationals while playing in jeans, proof that confidence might be the most important piece of equipment out there. See the show.

All Divisions, All Champions

From DUPR 12–22 to 3v3 V3 divisions to our 50+ brackets, competition was fierce across all categories.

Open Age Divisions (DUPR 12–22)

• DUPR 14: Premier Ballerz
  
  
• DUPR 16: You Got Served
  
  
• DUPR 18: Fawkes Phoenix
  
  
• DUPR 20: Brooklyn Pickleball Team
  
  
• DUPR 22: Netflicks
  

3v3 Gendered Divisions

• V3 DUPR 9: Queens of the Court
  
  
• V3 DUPR 11 Men: Premier Ballerz
  
  
• V3 DUPR 11 Women: Premier Ballerz
  
  
• V3 DUPR 13 Men: Bikini Bottom Broskis
  
  
• V3 DUPR 13 Women: Pretty Tough (Puerto Rico)
  
  
• V3 DUPR 15 Men: Crank’d Up
  
  
• V3 DUPR 15 Women: The Better Netflicks
  
  
• V3 Open: Colorado Cuties
  

50+ Divisions

• 50+ 12: The Oldies Crew (Puerto Rico)
  
  
• 50+ 14: Pickled Pink
  
  
• 50+ 16: Austin Ballers
  
  
• 50+ 18: Cranky Pickle OG
  

Uniform & Costume Contests: $1,000 on the Line

MiLP brings serious competition, but the fun is just as real.

This year’s Uniform and Costume Contests were bigger, bolder, and more creative than ever. From coordinated team fits to over-the-top themes, Championship Court was full of personality all week long.

The teams with the most votes took home $1,000! 

Best Team Uniform: Los 111 DEL West 

Best Team Costume:  See You Next Tuesday

Check out their costumes here.

Be sure to check out the full gallery to see the best fits, wildest outfits, and team themes that made this year’s championship unforgettable.

MiLP Nationals wouldn’t be complete without the costumes, and this year, Net Force (DUPR 14 50+) absolutely raised the bar. Known for pushing boundaries on and off the court, Net Force showed up with one of the most innovative costumes we’ve ever seen at Nationals, blending creativity, humor, and serious team spirit. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here

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MLP Teams Showing Up at MiLP Nationals

One of the biggest signs of MiLP Nationals’ continued growth was the strong presence of Major League Pickleball (MLP) teams who brought MiLP squads to compete on the national stage. This year, teams representing STL Shock, Dallas Flash, Brooklyn Pickleball Club, Texas Ranchers, DC Pickleball Team, Miami Pickleball Club, Columbus Sliders, Chicago Slice, Orlando Squeeze, LA Mad Drops, Atlanta Bouncers, and Florida Smash all sent teams to Nationals, highlighting the powerful connection between MiLP and the professional league. Their involvement not only raised the level of competition but also reinforced MiLP Nationals as a true proving ground for rising talent across the country.

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Partners & Vendors

MiLP Nationals wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of the brands and partners who showed up for the players and the sport.

Sponsors & Partners
A big thank you to Centerline, Reign Storm, No Apologies / C&D Nets, Erne, and Vulcan for backing this championship and helping elevate the competitive experience on and off the court.

Vendors & Event Supporters
We also appreciate the vendors who brought energy, products, and value to the event experience:
Pickleball Fanatics, HotShotz Reusable Heat Packs, Rheum Therapeutics, The Peak Well, Complete Health & Wellness, Centerline, Ehret Winery, Reign Storm, and Ryze.

Your continued support plays a major role in growing amateur pickleball and creating unforgettable moments at events like MiLP Nationals.

📸 Relive the Moments

From championship points and DreamBreaker drama to team celebrations and unforgettable fits, we captured it all. Check out our shareable photo album to find your team, download your favorite shots, and relive the best moments from MiLP Nationals 2025. 

Did you snap a great photo or video during the event? We’d love to see it; submit your shots here to be included and help us tell the full story of MiLP Nationals from every angle.

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