‍EPIC World Championship and DUPR Coach today announced a transformative global partnership that will redefine the pathway into international amateur competition.

This is more than a collaboration; it’s infrastructure for the future of competitive pickleball. As the sport expands worldwide, DUPR continues to serve as the universal rating system connecting players across levels and regions, helping build a shared competitive language. EPIC provides the destination stage, while DUPR Coach and Coach-Assigned DUPRs help guide players along the journey. Together, they are shaping one of the first true global amateur performance pipelines in pickleball.

Through this partnership, DUPR Coaches at select EPIC World Championship partner clubs in Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond will activate non-rated players, turning grassroots participation into Coach-Assigned DUPR ratings and opening the door to competitive play at every level. These ratings serve as an anchor, giving players an accurate starting point to join leagues and tournaments at the level that matches their skill. From there, they can log matches, compete in tournament qualifications, and earn their placement through performance. This ensures every player begins their EPIC qualifications at the correct level and can progress through a structured competitive pathway. EPIC World Championship then becomes the aspirational pinnacle, bringing these players together on a global stage.

“DUPR and EPIC World Championship already share an incredible partnership, ensuring every match at EPIC is verified and meaningful,” said Victor Cui, Founding Partner of EPIC World Championship. “Now, with DUPR Coaches spread across our partner clubs, we’re creating greater accessibility and scale within the DUPR ecosystem. Coach-Assigned DUPRs will enable more players to enter the competitive pathway, grow participation at EPIC, and continue advancing pickleball worldwide.”

“This partnership strengthens the competitive foundation of amateur pickleball,” said Yui See Lau. “By integrating DUPR Coaches into our partner clubs, we can ensure players are rated accurately, compete at the right level, and experience fair, meaningful matches at every stage. It raises the standard of competition, fosters international credibility, and ensures that the EPIC World Championship remains the pinnacle of amateur play worldwide.”

The partnership also enables clubs and coaches to expand the DUPR ecosystem, grow their communities, generate revenue through rating and improvement sessions, and provide a clear pathway into competitive play. Players of all levels gain access to credentialed DUPR Coaches and Coach-Assigned DUPRs, which place them at the appropriate competitive level from the start. This allows partner clubs to support their entire pickleball community, from social and recreational players to emerging competitors, ensuring everyone can join the right open plays, enjoy fair and meaningful competition, and progress toward their goals. It’s a program that meets players where they are while providing a structured pathway to achieve their highest potential.

Katie Nimitz, President of DUPR Coach, added, “Millions of pickleball players worldwide still don’t have DUPRs, which limits their access to fair competition and meaningful progression. This partnership with EPIC World Championship changes that. It creates a global pathway that connects everyone, from beginners and recreational players in open plays to elite competitors aiming for the EPIC World Championship, into the DUPR ecosystem. Through DUPR Coaches, clubs can guide players, run rating sessions, support skill development, track match progress, and provide a clear route to compete at the appropriate level. This is more than a partnership; it is a scalable system that empowers players, strengthens clubs, and grows the sport at every level.”

The collaboration will offer exclusive credentialing opportunities and discounted DUPR Coach certifications for EPIC participants, alongside in-person activations at the EPIC World Championship, seamlessly integrating player rating and coach credentialing into the event experience.

As pickleball continues its rapid global expansion, this alliance creates the missing link between mass participation and elite amateur competition. EPIC is not just a destination event; it is both a driver and the pinnacle of a year-round global development ecosystem that connects and grows pickleball communities and players at every level worldwide. DUPR Coach is not simply a credentialing program; it is the official gateway that strengthens clubs and communities, guides players to the right local open plays, and provides a clear pathway to compete on the world stage.

Together, EPIC World Championship and DUPR Coach are not just supporting the growth of pickleball; they are building the system that will sustain it.

About EPIC World Championship

The EPIC World Championship is an international pickleball festival and elite amateur competition bringing together players, spectators, and global partners in one of Asia’s most vibrant destinations, Singapore. Combining world-class hospitality, cultural experiences, entertainment, and high-level tournament play, EPIC delivers an unmatched championship atmosphere. With multiple competitive divisions and a growing prize purse, EPIC is designed to showcase the sport’s top talent and celebrate pickleball on a global stage.

About DUPR Coach

DUPR Coach is a program designed to empower pickleball coaches to launch Coach-Assigned DUPR ratings for the 34 million non-rated players worldwide. Powered by MyJourney Pickleball, DUPR Coach helps coaches provide valuable insights into players’ skill levels and supports the growth of pickleball through more competitive, enjoyable play. Coaches interested in becoming DUPR Coaches can visit duprcoach.com/coach-cert to sign up and learn more.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.