The Dink MiLP Nationals Arrive in December: The Dink Minor League Pickleball (The Dink MiLP) National Championships, set to take place at the Missouri Pickleball Club from December 13-15, 2024, will bring together the nation’s top amateur pickleball players in an exhilarating coed team format. These players, who have qualified through a series of over 135 national and international events, will compete for a chance to claim the national title, take home a $50,000 prize purse, and earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for the Pickleball World Series.
Record-Breaking Year for The Dink MiLP
2024 has been a monumental year for The Dink MiLP, as more than 11,000 amateur players have participated in events across the globe, all striving to climb the national leaderboard and secure a coveted spot at the National Championships.
Of those, only 500 players have earned their way to the finals, where they will compete for the largest prize purse in the history of the tournament—$50,000.
The prize pool also stands as the second-largest in amateur pickleball, showing the event’s growing prestige and appeal. The winners of the DUPR 22 (or advanced) division will be rewarded with a trip to Dubai, UAE, to compete in the 2025 Pickleball World Series.
A Growing Global Phenomenon
The Dink MiLP, which is powered by the Pickleball World Rankings as its title sponsor, has experienced remarkable growth, expanding by over 300% between 2023 and 2024. The league now hosts or schedules events in countries such as Canada, Australia, Mexico, India, China, and the UAE, offering amateur players a global platform to show their skills. The foundation of the league’s success lies in its hundreds of local competitions, which include seven Regional Playoffs and the ultimate National Championship.
The Dink MiLP has also become a stepping stone for aspiring professional players, with notable touring pros such as Connor Garnett, Kate Fahey, and Max Manthou having competed in its ranks.
Despite the occasional appearance by elite players, the league remains primarily focused on offering competitive opportunities for amateur players, with divisions catering to everyone from beginners to advanced players.
Event Format and Competition Structure
At the National Championships, 500 qualifying players will be divided into six skill-based pools (DUPR ratings of 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22), with teams competing in a round-robin format. Each team will play women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles games.
In the event of a tie, teams will battle it out in a dramatic “Dreambreaker” format, where players swap in and out every four points during singles play, adding excitement to the competition.
The winning team in the DUPR 22 bracket will take home $3,500 in prize money and earn a spot at the Pickleball World Rankings National Championships in Dubai. Players will then compete in a traditional tournament bracket with an additional $3,000 appearance fee for each event they participate in.
“We’re thrilled to be partnered with DUPR to put on the most exciting amateur competition in pickleball. The drive these players and teams have to claim the title of the top amateurs in the country is out of this world. There really is nothing else like it!” – (Thomas Shields, Founder & CEO of The Dink)
Fans of the sport can attend the National Championships in person at the Missouri Pickleball Club or follow the action via The Dink’s YouTube channel for live-streaming coverage.
About The Dink Minor League Pickleball
The Dink MiLP offers a unique team competition format that sets it apart from other amateur tournaments. Teams consist of four players—two men and two women—and the events span multiple days, incorporating exciting variations on traditional match-ups and scoring systems.
Since its inception in 2022, Minor League Pickleball has attracted over 8,000 players, with events held in 25 states across the country and 108 confirmed events, including seven regional championships.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the leading global rating system in the sport of pickleball. It is trusted by clubs, tournaments, and players worldwide for its accurate and dynamic rankings, which evaluate players on a 2.000 to 8.000 scale.
News in Brief: The Dink MiLP Nationals Arrive in December
The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships will be held from December 13-15, 2024, at the Missouri Pickleball Club. Over 500 players will compete for a $50,000 prize pool, with winners earning a trip to Dubai for the 2025 Pickleball World Series. The pickleball event will feature a unique coed team format and a round-robin competition.
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