RTM Tournament Round 1 Kicks Off: The Road to Minors (RTM) Tournament Series will begin its first round on February 28, 2025, providing a pathway for amateur players to qualify for the D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) rosters. This exciting opportunity for players to compete will take place at the Down the Line (DTL) Sports Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
RTM Tournament Series Overview
The RTM Tournament Series offers players of various skill levels the chance to build their Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) and showcase their talents to D.C. Pickleball Team coaches. The top performers in the series will advance to the RTM Cup Finals at the end of the year, where they will compete in a Major League Pickleball (MLP)-style format.
The series will feature nine rounds throughout the year, with the first round running from February 28 to March 9, 2025. Players must have an active DUPR account and participate in a minimum of two RTM DUPR sessions before registering for any of the tournament dates.
Registration and Costs
Registration for the RTM Tournament Series opened on January 13, 2025, and will close on March 5, 2025. The entry fee for the first round is $65.00, which will increase to $70.00 after February 1, 2025. Players can sign up through the DTL and DCPT websites or directly on pickleballbrackets.com.
Format and Divisions
The tournament will consist of multiple divisions based on DUPR ratings, ranging from 3.0 to 4.5+ levels. Players can compete in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles. Each division will be limited to 8 teams, with waitlists available if divisions fill up. Matches will follow a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the semifinals.
Depending on the number of teams in each division, there will be different structures for pool play and finals, with games played to 15 points.
Perks and Points
All participants will receive an RTM branded shirt, and the top three finishers in each division will receive medals and prizes. Players will earn RTM series points based on their performance, which will accumulate toward their qualification for the RTM Cup.
Participants also have a chance to win MLP DC tickets and will receive social media promotion through DTL and DCPT channels.
The Impact of RTM
The RTM Tournament Series offers a unique opportunity for players to advance to Minor League Pickleball. As a key stepping stone in players’ careers, the RTM series allows them to build their DUPR profiles while competing against others at their skill level. With multiple rounds and divisions, players have the chance to showcase their abilities throughout the year, culminating in the RTM Cup.
The series is set to elevate the competitive landscape of pickleball and provides a clear pathway for amateur players to potentially join the D.C. Pickleball Team’s MiLP rosters, bringing more attention and opportunities to the sport.
News in Brief: RTM Tournament Round 1 Kicks Off
The RTM Tournament Series begins on February 28, 2025, at Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax, Virginia. This series allows players to build their DUPR ratings and compete for a spot on the D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball rosters. Registration is open until March 5, 2025, with divisions ranging from 3.0 to 4.5+.