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The 2024 National Pathway encourages players to participate in multiple The DInk Minor League events throughout the qualifying season (November 25, 2023 through October 14, 2024) to earn points to then qualify for the 2024 The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship taking place December 13-15, 2024 in Fenton, MO.

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National Pathway and Leaderboard

Each DUPR Division has its own National Leaderboard. Each individual player’s points are accumulated based on their team’s performance at official The Dink Minor League Pickleball events.

How to Qualify and Get on the Leaderboard

There are two ways to qualify for The Dink MiLP National Championship:

1. Local The Dink MiLP Events
2. The Dink MiLP Regional Showdowns

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National Pathway #1: Local The Dink MiLP Events

Local The Dink MiLP Events are hosted all across the USA.

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The National Leaderboard keeps track of the points of every individual in each division. Top players from the leaderboard will receive an invitation to the National Championship.

• Players play as a team but earn points towards Nationals as an individual.

• For example, if a DUPR division has 8 teams, the 1st place team members will receive 8 points each, the 2nd place team members will receive 7 points each, the 3rd place team members will receive 6 points each and so on through last place. Members of the last place team will each receive 1 point each. 
  • At all The Dink MiLP local events, the 1st place team members will receive at least a minimum of 4 points each. The maximum will be based on the total number of teams. 
  • If you play multiple divisions within the 2024 season, your points stay within each division. 

• Once a player qualifies for Nationals, the player is then tasked with forming a team. The team can be made up of teammates from the 2024 season or any players who have played in any official The Dink Minor League events from the qualifying season.
• A player can participate in multiple teams throughout the season, but can only compete in one team at the National Championship.
• The team will be placed into the appropriate DUPR division based on their total team aggregate at the time of registration. Once a team registers for Nationals, their ratings are “locked” and their DUPR increasing or decreasing will not impact the team’s aggregate or division placement.
  
  

National Pathway #2: The Dink MiLP Regional Showdowns

The Dink MiLP organizers will be hosting a total of 7 tournaments in different regions of the USA. 

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These Regional Showdowns will include 12 to 16 teams per division. At each event, the 1st place teams from each division will receive a Dream Ticket to the National Championship.

• All Regional Showdown players will earn points towards their respective DUPR Divisions on the National Leaderboard (including the 1st place team). 
• A team that earns a Dream Ticket to the National Championship will compete in the division in which they qualified regardless of their DUPR aggregate at registration as long as the entire team is intact (all 4 players stay the same). If any players of the team are substituted, the team will be placed in the appropriate aggregate at the time of registration. 
• If a team that received a Dream Ticket cannot attend the National Championship with all 4 of its original teammates, they can choose to replace up to 2 teammates with players who have competed in The Dink MiLP events during the 2024 qualifying season.
• If a 1st place team cannot attend Nationals with at least 2 of its original Regionals’ teammates, the 2nd place team will be offered their Dream Ticket to Nationals.

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Sign up now for a The Dink Minor League Pickleball event to get your name and points on the National Leaderboard and earn your spot at The Dink MiLP’s pinnacle event, The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship 2024. 

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*Sign Up Now* 

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To learn more about The Dink Minor League Pickleball, visit our website. To explore highlights from the 2023 MiLP National Championship, view our blog post. 

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Stay up to date with all things The Dink MiLP by following us on Instagram and joining our Facebook Group. 

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International Women's Day marks a global celebration of women's accomplishments and resilience. In the realm of pickleball, clubs like Pickle Pop and Gold Coast Pickleball's women's only group exemplify this spirit by providing platforms for women to excel, compete, and support one another.

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The 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California is famous for its shops, dining, and proximity to the beach and the Santa Monica pier. However, the area was hard hit by the effects of the pandemic and is still recovering, creating the perfect opportunity to bring pickleball to some of LA’s most in demand real estate.

Steph McCaffrey, a former professional soccer player with an MBA from Wharton, and Erin Robertson, a Project Runway winner with a background in design and fashion, teamed up to cofound Pickle Pop right in the heart of the promenade. This pickleball venue stands out not only for its distinctive pink courts but also for its commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment, particularly for women.

Robertson says, “a lot of times in sports, everything is super masculine, even for women's sports. It's not like I wanted to make it (Pickle Pop) feminine and fluffy, but I definitely wanted to soften the energy of it, so it felt warm and welcoming, but also fun, bright, energetic and like you would want to move your body.”

The decision to introduce a women's only open play at Pickle Pop was fueled by their general manager Jane Hollon's observation of the need for a space where women could enjoy the game and, as Hollon puts it, “avoid the male players who maybe aren't as experienced and are just like bang, bang, bang.”

What began as a one morning event has now blossomed into “one of our most popular programs,” says Hollon, expanding to three days a week. The program’s rapid growth highlights the demand for providing spaces tailored to the unique preferences and needs of women in the pickleball community.

"If you don't have a DUPR, do you even play pickleball?" says Hollon. Pickle Pop recognizes the importance of DUPR’s rating system and recently organized a fun event to help players earn their rating.

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Six thousand miles across the ocean, nestled in Carumbin Beach in Queensland, Australia, Gold Coast Pickleball’s facilities cater to local players of all types and skill levels.

Suzanne Mackenzie decided to team up with two friends to start a women's only pickleball group at the facility after feeling targeted on the court.

“I’d be on the court with my husband, who has bad knees and isn’t very mobile, and these young guys would absolutely be targeting me. I’d say ‘ease up, buddy.’ It was intimidating, terrifying, not enjoyable.”

Determined to build confidence among female players, Mackenzie envisioned a community grounded in friendship, camaraderie, and teamwork.

The success of Gold Coast Pickleball's initiative is evident in its growth from 30 participants to over 90 women of various ages and skill levels. Utilizing DUPR has proven effective in maintaining a level playing field, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and has an opportunity to participate.

As Sue Bailey, a member of the group says, “the women's only group opened up an opportunity for us (women) to play competitively. You play socially and win some games or lose some games. It doesn't really matter. But when you're playing with a team, it adds that extra incentive to work harder, get better, and to support the team.”

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's raise a paddle to Suzanne, Steph, Erin, Jane, and all the women who are leading the game on and off the court. They're breaking barriers, building communities, and showing the world what women can do when they come together.

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Written By: Alana Jackler

Rise of the Utah Valley Wolverines: A New Era in Collegiate Pickleball?

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This past weekend saw a remarkable turn of events in what was once hailed as Trailblazer territory, as the #1 Utah Tech Trailblazers were dethroned, and the Utah Valley Wolverines emerged as the champions of the Utah Super Regional.

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While the western region of collegiate pickleball doesn’t have the same number of schools or density as the eastern regions, one could easily argue that the western region is the country's most competitive. 

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The Utah Super Regional, held at the Picklr in Kaysville, Utah, welcomed 11 schools from 4 states, forming 20 teams in the main bracket. Among them were veteran teams like Arizona State, University of Utah, and Loyola Marymount, alongside newcomers to DUPR collegiate pickleball such as Stanford and Brigham Young University.

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Four of the teams that competed are ranked top ten in the DUPR Power Rankings that came out this past week on DUPR, and three of those teams are ranked top six. Not surprisingly, each one of these schools earned themselves a bid to nationals:

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• #1 Utah Tech
• #3 Utah Valley
• #6 Utah State
• #10 Grand Canyon

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However, the biggest story of the tournament was Utah Valley’s performance. Utah Valley was the only school this weekend that had multiple teams win every match in their group stage. The #1 team from Utah Valley won every single of their eight matches without dropping a single game against their opponents. In the finals, they handed Utah Tech their first-ever 0-3 match loss and first-ever finals loss in a regional tournament. 

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Will Utah Tech (or another team from the west) step up and take the crown back from Utah Valley? Either way, this is definitely the start of the newest collegiate pickleball rivalry and hints that we will see a level of competition in the 2024 Collegiate National Championship that will break records. 

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A very special thanks to The Picklr for hosting the second DUPR Collegiate Super Regional of 2024. To learn more about The Picklr, visit their website here: thepicklr.com

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated 2024 The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) National Championship Powered by DUPR, where the top amateur players from across the nation come together and compete! Building on the success of the 2023 National Championship, this event promises to be an exciting showcase of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments on the pickleball court.

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Participate and Win

The Dink MiLP National Championship 2024 is being held at the Missouri Pickleball Club, located in Fenton, MO, from December 13 to 15, 2024. We’re excited to share that this year, we’ve significantly increased the prize purse to a total of $50,000 which will be distributed across all divisions. 

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Available Divisions

Divisions are skill-based, determined by the combined DUPR rating of your team. The following DURP divisions will be available for the 2024 The Dink MiLP National Championship:

• DUPR 12 (max aggregate rating 12.30)
• DUPR 14 (max aggregate rating 14.30)
• DUPR 16 (max aggregate rating 16.30)
• DUPR 18 (max aggregate rating 18.30)
• DUPR 20 (max aggregate rating 20.30)
• DUPR 22 (max aggregate rating 22.99)

Learn more about The Dink Minor League divisions and rules. 

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Regional Showdowns

In addition to the traditional qualification routes, we’ve added a new avenue to secure your spot — Regional Showdowns. With seven locations across the US, these events promise a fun-filled experience and a chance to qualify for the National Championship. 

We’re happy to unveil details for some of the upcoming Regional Showdowns:

• Northeast Regional
  Date: July 20, 2024
  Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania
  Venue: Bounce Pickleball
  Host: All State Pickleball

• Midsouth Regional
  Date: July 27-28, 2024
  Location: Plano, TX
  Venue: Pickleball Kingdom Plano
  Host: Oklahoma Pickleball Club

• Midwest Regional
  Date: August 10, 2024
  Location: Kansas City, Missouri
  Venue: PickleCon (Kansas City Convention Center)
  Host: iPickle Nation

• West Coast Regional
  Date: September 7, 2024
  Location: Concord, California
  Venue: Willow Pass Community Park in Concord
  Host: Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club

• Northwest Regional
  Date: September 7-8, 2024
  Location: Lake Stevens, Washington
  Venue: Caverlero MidHigh School
  Host: Snoco Pickleball Association

• Southwest Regional
  Date: October 5-6, 2024
  Location: Tempe, Arizona
  Venue: Picklemall ~ Tempe
  Host: iPickle Nation

• Southeast Regional
  Date: November 9-10, 2024
  Location: Lakeland, Florida
  Venue: Lone Palm Country Club
  Host:All Florida Pickleball

Stay tuned for more details on Regional Showdowns.

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Journey to the National Championship

Get ready to showcase your skills! All pickleball enthusiasts are invited to join The Dink MiLP excitement. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, there's a division for you. 

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Qualifiers are open, so now is the time to participate in The Dink MiLP events, get on the National Leaderboard, and earn your spot to compete in the National Championship against the nation's best amateur players. Don't let this opportunity pass – register for a The Dink MiLP event now!

Click Here to Find Events Near You!

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To learn more about The Dink Minor League Pickleball, visit our website. Stay up to date with all things The Dink MiLP by following us on Instagram and joining our Facebook Group. 

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In the dynamic world of DUPR, the journey to unlocking your full potential begins with understanding the fundamentals. From earning your initial rating to honing your skills through gameplay, every step shapes your pickleball experience. 

In this chat, Dave and Sarah will tackle common questions players encounter when starting their DUPR journey. Let's explore starting out, finding good playing partners, and understanding match count.

Here's a breakdown of the key takeaways:

1. Getting Started:

• Question: How do I get my first rating as a DUPR user?
• Answer: Simply play a match! Once you've recorded your first game on DUPR, your rating will be generated based on factors like the skill level of your opponents and the outcome of the match.

2. Playing Partners:

• Question: Who should I play with to get an accurate rating?
• Answer: Playing with rated players is ideal. However, playing with unrated players is still beneficial, even though it is less precise. The more matches you play, the more accurate your rating becomes.

3. Match Count:

• Question: How many matches do I need to play for an accurate rating?
• Answer: Aim for at least 10 to 20 matches. Quality matters too; ensure you're playing at the right level and experiencing a mix of wins and losses in close games.

4. Rating Movement:

• Question: Can my rating go down if I win?
• Answer: Yes, it is possible that your rating will go down after a win, if you have performed at a lower level than expected in that match. Alternatively, you also have the ability to go up after a loss, if you have performed at a higher level than expected in that match.

5. Fair Play:

• Question: How do I handle concerns about playing with unrated players?
• Answer: We strongly encourage rated players to play with new or unrated players to help them begin their DUPR journey. This inclusive approach fosters community growth and helps new players integrate into the rating system. Since the algorithm considers the match history of all participants, matches involving unrated or low-reliability players will have a smaller impact on the rated player’s DUPR—especially if that player has a high reliability score.

6. How to Raise Your Rating:

• Question: Should I aim to beat lower-rated players to boost my rating?
• Answer: Not necessarily. Your rating is based on how you perform compared to the expected score — not just whether you win. If you're a heavy favorite, you may need a dominant score like 11–3 to see a gain. To increase your rating, focus on outperforming expectations and showing that you're playing above your current level.

7. Recording Matches:

• Question: What if my match partner refuses to validate scores?
• Answer: It's crucial to uphold fair play standards. Communicate with your partner beforehand and report any violations to DUPR for investigation.

8. Club Participation:

• Question: How can joining a DUPR club benefit my rating?
• Answer: Club matches provide consistent opportunities to play at a competitive level, contributing to the accuracy of your rating with verified match results.

9. Match Dynamics:

• Question: How does match format (e.g., one game vs. best two out of three) affect my rating?
• Answer: Longer match formats yield more data and have a greater impact on your rating, as they provide a better indication of your skill level.

10. Past Results:

• Question: Can I input past match results to improve my rating?
• Answer: Yes, past results can be added to your profile, but recent matches hold more weight in determining your current rating.

11. Rating Decay:

• Question: What happens if I stop playing and logging matches?
• Answer: Your rating remains stable, but the reliability of your rating decreases over time due to the decay of match recency. Returning to regular match logging will restore reliability.

DUPR isn't just a rating system; it's a community-driven platform designed to elevate your pickleball experience. 

For more insights and updates, please stay connected with DUPR through our app, website, social media channels, and newsletter. We're here to support you on your pickleball journey, one match at a time.

Disclaimer: The responses provided in this blog post are based on the conversation between Dave and Sarah, and are subject to updates and revisions by DUPR.

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Austin, TX and Rockville, MD (February 29, 2024) – DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) and JOOLA, a leading brand in pickleball and table tennis, today announced a new partnership that will see JOOLA become the Official Sponsor of DUPR Collegiate Pickleball, the largest tournament series for college players. The partnership will drive further growth and advancement of collegiate pickleball to create more pathways and opportunities for players to compete in college and beyond. 

DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Powered by JOOLA will have a total of 26 events in the Spring and Fall, with 8 Super Regional events and 16 Campus Regional events, Individual National Championships in June and the Collegiate National Championships in November. Now in its third year, the 2024 season offers the most extensive series of events and the largest scholarship prize money yet, providing more opportunities for competitive collegiate pickleball players to showcase their skills and jumpstart their professional career.

DUPR has led the way in establishing competitive collegiate pickleball by creating compelling opportunities for players to compete, earn scholarship prize money and identify new pathways to continue to play. Since hosting its first college event in 2022, DUPR Collegiate Pickleball has hosted 16 events for 1300 athletes – including the largest collegiate pickleball tournament ever with over 350 players – and contributed over $250,000 in scholarship money and travel stipends for players. 

Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, said: “College players are the future of the game. DUPR Collegiate Pickleball events are focused on creating more opportunities for players to hit the court and showcase their skills, and bringing new players and fans into the game to grow it for generations to come. JOOLA’s support is instrumental in driving more awareness and excitement around college pickleball. We are excited to work together to host more events, create more pathways for players and increase scholarship prizes.”

Richard Lee, CEO of JOOLA, said: “Collegiate pickleball has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years and it is the fastest growing demographic in the sport. DUPR has established itself as the leader in this space. Its collegiate events are giving players real competitive opportunities to play and even find a pathway to the pros, and are shining a spotlight on the sport overall. These players are the future of the game and we are excited to support the 2024 DUPR Collegiate season.” 

The schedule of events for the 2024 DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Powered by JOOLA season is as follows: 

Spring Super Regionals

• Illinois Super Regional - February 3rd-4th (Pickle Haüs in Chicago, IL)
• Utah Super Regional - March 2nd-3rd (The Picklr in Kaysville, UT)
• Virginia Super Regional - March 23rd-24th (Performance Pickleball in Richmond, VA)
• Georgia Super Regional - April 6th-7th (Pickle & Social in Buford, GA)

2024 Collegiate Individual National Championships 

• June 1st - 2nd (The Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, OH) $20,000 in scholarship money awarded 

Fall Super Regionals

• Nevada Super Regional - October 5th-6th (Green Valley Life Time in Las Vegas, NV)
• Arizona Super Regional - October 19th-20th (The Picklr in Gilbert, AZ)
• Texas Super Regional - October 26th-27th (PALA Pickleball in Houston, TX)
• 4th Fall Super Regional - TBD

Campus Regionals 

• 16 Campus Regional events at various colleges and universities across the country, dates and details to be released shortly. Interested parties must apply to host these events. 

2024 Collegiate National Championship 

• November 22nd - 24th (Life Time Kingwood in Houston, TX) 

For more information please visit dupr.com/collegiate

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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. Players and operators can visit www.mydupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About JOOLA 

JOOLA has been a pioneer in table tennis since its establishment in 1952. In 2022, its expansion into pickleball quickly attracted the biggest names in the sport. As a sponsor of major professional pickleball tours, associations, and to top athletes in the game, the team at JOOLA combines its expertise with fresh perspectives to bring synergy and innovation to the pickleball market. JOOLA creates a variety of equipment, apparel, and accessories for pickleball players, both professional and recreational. JOOLA is based in Rockville, MD, and is owned by Sport Squad, Inc. Learn more about JOOLA and see why the sport’s best are joining Team JOOLA by visiting joolausa.com.

Media Contact

Erica Annon / DUPR / erica@mydupr.com

Pickleball has achieved tremendous success over the past few years because it’s not only a great workout — it’s also a lot of fun and a great social activity regardless of your pickleball rating. One way to make sure that pickleball stays fun and enjoyable for the entire pickleball community is to find players who are at your level. It's great for welcoming newcomers and connecting with players of all abilities within the pickleball community.

That’s where DUPR comes in.

As the only global pickleball rating system that uses the same scale to rate players regardless of their age, gender, or location, DUPR ensures that players enjoy fun and competitive games. 

With hundreds of thousands of players, more than 2,000 clubs, and located in over 150 countries, you can easily find equally matched opponents almost anywhere.

Whether you’re on vacation, meeting new players in your local area, or competing in pickleball events, with DUPR’s rating system you’re sure to find players matching your skill level.

Having a DUPR rating means that you are part of a curated group of players. This ensures that you avoid being “sandbagged,” the unfortunate situation of playing against a more experienced player who knowingly competes at a lower skill level to gain an unfair advantage. 

A DUPR rating is transparent. You’ll always know an opponent’s current skill level, whether they are relatively new to the game or highly experienced. Having a DUPR rating also shows that you are active in maintaining and building the community spirit that pickleball is known for. Asking “What’s your DUPR?” is a great way to introduce yourself to new players and often leads to an exchange of shot tips, strategies, and product information. This fosters an environment where players can learn from one another. It provides an opportunity for higher-rated players to teach less experienced ones, and help them elevate their game and rise through the rankings. 

Having a good DUPR rating isn’t just about bragging rights. It also demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of pickleball rules and etiquette. From kitchen violations to foot faults and the two-bounce rule, your DUPR rating demonstrates that you’re committed to fair play and know the rules of the game. As a result, players with DUPR ratings are more likely to follow pickleball rules and protocols. Not just because maintaining their rating demands it, but because they are committed to the spirit of true competition and to foster the community spirit inherent in pickleball.

Getting your DUPR rating is easy. Just click here to register and join the global DUPR pickleball community.

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The World Pickleball Tour, pickleball’s leading amateur challenger tour, is collaborating with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) to grow the game and drive nationwide participation for amateur players to compete, showcase their skills and win prize money. 

“DUPR’s community is made up of incredibly active, passionate and competitive players who leave it all out on the court. That’s what our events are all about - giving amateur players everywhere unforgettable fun and competitive experiences. We are excited to work with DUPR to highlight opportunities for amateurs to compete and grow the world’s best game,” said Corey Poches, Director of Partnerships, World Pickleball Tour. 

“The World Pickleball Tour has developed an incredible series of events for amateur players to hit the court and showcase their skills in a fun, competitive environment. At DUPR, we are committed to bringing our community the best pickleball experiences, from our accurate rating system, to events and opportunities to play. We are excited to help support participation in World Pickleball Tour events and help players across the country to find another reason to hit the court,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. 

The World Pickleball Tour’s amateur-only tournament series features 35 events for 2024. Each tournament stop is a “challenger” event, and as a perk, all Gold Medalists from the circuit receive invitations to the 2025 WPT Amateur Invitational Championships to compete for their portion of the $175,000 cash prize. 

The first event of the partnership kicks off in the Cincinnati area, hosted at The Pickle Lodge, a beautiful 17-court indoor venue in West Chester, OH  from March 22 - 24. The round robin tournament will ensure players have ample opportunity to play more, wait less and win major prizes. All matches will count towards players' DUPR rating. All participants will receive a WPT player swag bag, featuring reusable branded totes packed with premium items, including a World Tour 2024 DRIFIT t-shirt, hydration and nutrition essentials, on-court fashion accessories and other tournament necessities.

Members of the DUPR community can get $10 off general registration with the code DUPRCINCI Register: HERE

Registration ends: March 18, 2024 at 12:00 AM ET. 

Upcoming Events:

WPT Houston Challenger

April 26-28, 2024

PALA Pickleball

Spring, TX 

Members of the DUPR community can get $10 off general registration with the code DUPRHOU Register: HERE

Registration ends: April 22, 2024 at 12:00 AM ET.

View the rest of the 2024 season schedule here: wptevents.com/events