Dink Minor League Pickleball Returns to Chattanooga: The Dink Minor League Pickleball event will take place on May 28, 2025, at First Horizon Pavilion, located at 1826 Carter Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The team-based amateur tournament begins with check-in at 5:30 PM, warm-up at 5:30-6:00 PM, and matches starting at 6:00 PM. This social and competitive event follows the MLPlay team format and is organized by Tournament Director Travis Williams. Each team must have four players — two women and two men — and pay a $60.00 per player entry fee.
An Innovative Format for All Skill Levels
The Dink Minor League Pickleball uses a unique team format called MLPlay. Each team match includes four games: one women’s doubles, one men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles. Every game is played to 21 points. If the match is tied 2-2, teams move into a “Dreambreaker.” This tiebreaker is a singles game where one player from each team plays four points, and then switches with a teammate until one team wins by two points.
To join the tournament, players must register in teams and meet rating limits set by DUPR, a ranking system for pickleball players. Teams must register in either the DUPR 16 or DUPR 12 divisions, depending on their total team rating. Individual players can register without a team and will be matched by the tournament director if possible.
Prizes, Awards, and Fun Additions
The event offers cash prizes based on the number of teams. For example, if there are eight teams, the winner earns $300 and the runner-up receives $100. Other fun awards include:
$100 Best Team Outfit Award for stylish team looks.
Hype Team Award for the team with the loudest energy.
Biggest Upset for beating the highest-ranked opponent.
Biggest Point Differential for the most dominant match win.
To play, each team must stay under the division’s maximum allowed DUPR total. Any changes to team members must also stay within these limits.
Refund and Cancellation Details
Players who cancel more than 15 days before the event will receive a refund minus a $5 technology fee and a 3% processing fee. For individual players who sign up but are not placed on a team, a refund will be issued after the event, minus the same fees.
Once a team signs up, its ratings are locked. Even if a player’s rating changes later, it won’t affect their team’s division placement. All players must have a DUPR account when registering.
A Growing Sport With New Possibilities
The Dink Minor League Pickleball event continues to draw players by mixing fun and competition. With exciting matchups, creative scoring, and unique team dynamics, the event shows how much pickleball is growing. This team-focused format encourages new players to join, builds community spirit, and opens the door for future events in more cities.
News in Brief: Dink Minor League Pickleball Returns to Chattanooga
The Dink Minor League Pickleball event returns to Chattanooga on May 28, 2025, at First Horizon Pavilion. Teams of four will compete in the fun MLPlay format with cash prizes, awards, and exciting matchups. Registration is open, with rating limits and team rules in place for fair play.
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