2025 Collegiate Pickleball Season Disclosed: The 2025 collegiate pickleball season is set to usher in a transformative era for the sport, marked by significant changes aimed at enhancing competition and solidifying pickleball’s place in collegiate athletics. Each adjustment has been carefully crafted to ensure athletes have more opportunities to show their skills on a national stage. Here’s a closer look at what the upcoming season holds.
Strategic Partnership with UPA
In a move that shows its commitment to growth, DUPR Collegiate Pickleball has joined forces with the UPA. This partnership aims to elevate the visibility of collegiate pickleball, bringing it to more PPA and MLP tour stops throughout 2025. The collaboration will also pave the way for aspiring collegiate players to transition into professional ranks, creating a robust pathway for talent development.
Revamped Collegiate National Championship
Listening to feedback from participants and stakeholders, the organization has decided to shift the Collegiate National Championship (CNC) from the fall semester to a spring schedule. Scheduled for April 11-13, 2025, at a location yet to be determined, this marks the fourth annual CNC. Moving forward, the CNC will consistently occur on the second Saturday in April, allowing teams ample time to prepare and strategize.
This adjustment means that the 2025 spring semester will now encapsulate the entire collegiate season. Following this change, the subsequent season will transition to a fall-spring schedule, aligning more closely with the academic calendar.
To facilitate this shift, the 2024 Collegiate National Championship will award 24 bids: every team reaching the round of 16, alongside the victors of the top eight bowl games—competitive matches played on Sundays involving eliminated schools. The remaining 40 bids will be distributed at Super Regionals, PPA/MLP events, Campus Regionals, and via wildcard entries.
Upcoming Super Regionals
The 2025 season will also introduce three Super Regionals, each designed to enhance competitive opportunities:
- Georgia Super Regional: February 1-2, Pickle & Social, Buford, GA.
- New Jersey Super Regional: March 1-2, Robbinsville Pickle House, Robbinsville Twp, NJ.
- Arizona Super Regional: March 8-9, The Picklr, Scottsdale, AZ.
Each Super Regional will offer four bids to the 2025 Nationals, alongside a total of $6,000 in scholarship money, reinforcing the commitment to support student-athletes in their pursuits.
Sustaining Campus Regionals
Building on the success of the 2024 Campus Regionals, the initiative will continue in 2025. Each Campus Regional will award one bid to Nationals, with schools and facilities eager to contribute to the collegiate pathway maintaining their involvement. Interested parties can access detailed information on organizing a campus regional through provided resources.
Emphasis on Dual Matches
Recognizing the foundational role of dual matches in advancing collegiate pickleball, the organization will prioritize this format in 2025. The dual match structure is intentionally designed to reflect tournament rules while allowing flexibility for teams of various sizes, making competition more accessible.
News in Brief: 2025 Collegiate Pickleball Season Disclosed
The 2025 collegiate pickleball season introduces significant changes, including a partnership with UPA to enhance visibility and create a professional pathway for players. The Collegiate National Championship will now take place in April, aligning with the academic calendar, while three Super Regionals and continued Campus Regionals will offer athletes more competitive opportunities. Additionally, an emphasis on dual matches will further elevate the sport within collegiate athletics.
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