Dink MiLP Nationals: The Dink, in partnership with DUPR, has officially announced the 2024 Dink Minor League Pickleball (The Dink MiLP) National Championships. Scheduled for December 13-15 at the Missouri Pickleball Club, this prestigious event will feature over 500 of the nation’s top amateur pickleball players.
A Record-Breaking Year for The Dink MiLP
2024 has been a standout year for The Dink Minor League Pickleball, with more than 11,000 players competing in over 135 events both nationally and internationally. The competition has seen tremendous growth, with participation increasing by more than 300% over the past two years. Among these players, 500 have earned a coveted spot in the National Championships, where they will compete for a $50,000 prize purse—the largest in the event’s history and the second-largest in amateur pickleball.
- Prize purse of $50,000: The largest in The Dink MiLP’s history
- Winners of the DUPR 22 division: An all-expense-paid trip to Dubai for the 2025 Pickleball World Series
- The Dink MiLP’s global reach: Events held in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Mexico, India, China, and the UAE
The Path to Professional Play
The Dink MiLP has become a key platform for amateur players seeking to transition into professional careers. Several former league participants have already made their mark on the pro circuit, including notable players like Connor Garnett, Kate Fahey, Kaitlyn Christian, and Jack Munro.
- Prominent former players: Connor Garnett, Kate Fahey, Kaitlyn Christian, Jack Munro, Alex and Angie Walker, Max Manthou
- Professional development: The Dink MiLP as a launchpad for future touring pros
Despite attracting top-tier talent, the Dink MiLP remains focused on providing competitive opportunities for amateur players. The league offers multiple divisions catering to various skill levels, from beginners to advanced players.
Event Format and Structure
The National Championships will feature six pools of teams, divided by skill level based on their collective DUPR rating. These teams will compete in a round-robin format, with matches including women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles games. A unique tiebreaker system called a Dreambreaker will determine the winners in the event of a tie, where players rotate every four points in singles matches.
- Team pools based on DUPR rating: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
- Round-robin format: Includes women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles
- Dreambreaker tiebreaker: Players swap every four points in singles
The winners of the DUPR 22 bracket will not only claim $3,500 in prize money but also secure a spot at the Pickleball World Rankings National Championships in Dubai, with an additional $3,000 appearance fee.
Excitement Builds for the National Championships
The Dink and DUPR are eager to see the results of this year’s competition. Thomas Shields, Founder and CEO of The Dink, expressed excitement about the event, highlighting the immense drive of the players. “There really is nothing else like it!” he said. Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, also shared his anticipation, emphasizing the unique opportunity for amateur players to compete at such a high level.
- Thomas Shields: “There really is nothing else like it!”
- Tito Machado: “I can’t wait to see who claims the title this year.”
Spectators can either attend the event in person at Missouri Pickleball Club or watch live coverage on The Dink’s YouTube channel.
News in Brief: Dink MiLP Nationals
The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships will take place from December 13-15, 2024, at the Missouri Pickleball Club. More than 500 players, who qualified through over 135 nationwide events, will compete for a $50,000 prize purse, the largest in the event’s history. The winners of the DUPR 22 division will secure a spot in the 2025 Pickleball World Series in Dubai. The event, powered by The Dink and DUPR, has become a significant stepping stone for amateur players aiming to go pro.
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