The 2025 DC DPR Pickleball Challenge will take place on September 6–7, 2025, at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, DC. The event will feature skill and age-level competitions, senior games, and serve as a qualifier for the PPA National Amateur Championships in Dallas, Texas.
Event Overview
The tournament will be held indoors at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, located at 701 Mississippi Avenue SE. Registration costs $52.50 and closes on August 27, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. EST.
Events include men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday, September 6, and mixed doubles on Sunday, September 7. The men’s and women’s open double-elimination events will also take place on Sunday.
Path to Nationals
This tournament is part of the PPA Amateur State Championships series, which runs across all 50 states. Medal winners in skill-level divisions will automatically earn invitations to the year-end World Championship in Dallas, Texas.
Registration fees for Dallas will be fully waived for gold medalists, cut by 50% for silver medalists, and reduced by 25% for bronze medalists.
Gold medal mixed doubles teams will also enter a drawing for a chance to compete in the National Mall of Pickleball from September 19–21, 2025.
Registration and Fees
Registration opened on May 15, 2025. Early rates were $42.50 for one event and $57.50 for two events for DC residents, while non-residents paid $52.50 for one event and $67.50 for two events.
From July 15 onward, final rates apply: DC residents pay $52.50 for one event and $67.50 for two, while non-residents pay $62.50 and $77.50.
All players pay an additional non-refundable software fee of $5 for one event or $10 for multiple events.
Anyone registering by August 15 will receive a free tournament t-shirt. Registration is open to players aged 10 and above.
Tournament Rules
Players are divided by DUPR ratings into four skill levels:
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3.0 and under
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3.5
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4.0
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4.5 and above
Skill levels will be checked one week before registration closes, and players may be reassigned if their rating changes.
For seniors, age groups begin at 50 and are split into five-year brackets. Younger groups will be determined by registration numbers. Teams must compete in the skill level of the higher-rated partner and the age group of the younger partner.
Open doubles will use a double-elimination format. All other events will be played round-robin, with large brackets possibly split into pools followed by playoffs.
Rules for Teams and Partners
Both partners must register to confirm entry. Starting June 1, 2025, players without a registered partner after seven days will be moved to a waiting list until their partner signs up.
Players without partners when registration closes will not be included and will not receive refunds.
The tournament director, Janice Pauly, has the right to adjust brackets, combine groups, or move teams into appropriate divisions.
Venue Guidelines
The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center enforces strict rules. Non-marking court shoes are required. Jogging shoes and cross trainers are not allowed. Food, drinks, and chewing gum are banned inside the courts. Water is permitted.
Parking is available on the same side of Mississippi Avenue as the facility. Players cannot park on the residential side and risk being ticketed. Extra parking is available at the Oxon Run Outdoor Pool, one block away.
Refund Policy
Refunds will be given to players who withdraw before August 26, minus a $10 processing fee. Refunds will be processed after the event. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals after registration closes.
Community Support
The tournament is sponsored by the Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation and supported by Washington DC Pickleball volunteers. Additional volunteers are welcome to help with setup, operations, and cleanup.
Why It Matters
The 2025 DC DPR Pickleball Challenge offers players the chance to advance to national competition while highlighting the growth of pickleball in the District. With pathways to both the National Mall showcase and the Dallas World Championship, the event brings together athletes of all ages and skill levels.
News in Brief: DC DPR Pickleball Challenge Qualifier
The 2025 DC DPR Pickleball Challenge will be held September 6–7 at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, DC. The event includes skill, age, and senior competitions and serves as a qualifier for the PPA National Amateur Championships in Dallas. Registration closes August 27, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. EST.
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