The world of sports is continuously evolving, and this year, the vibrant game of pickleball is taking a giant leap forward with an exciting announcement from DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). In a bold move to foster young athletes and elevate the game, DUPR is thrilled to unveil the first-ever High School Pickleball League, designed to provide high school athletes across the nation with pathways to compete at both state and national levels. This initiative is not just a game-changer for pickleball; it’s a catalyst for community building, youth engagement, and the development of future sports stars!
Inaugural Event: A Date with History
Mark your calendars for an exciting event! The inaugural tournament will take place at Life Time Lakeville, Minnesota, from April 25-27, 2025. This high-stakes event will not only showcase the league’s dedication to fostering young talent but also symbolize a significant milestone in the evolution of pickleball, as it brings the energy and excitement of the sport right onto high school campuses across America. With athletes competing for glory, the atmosphere is sure to be electric!
Building a Pathway for All Levels of Play
Understanding that talent comes in all shapes and sizes, the 2025 DUPR High School National Pathway introduces a competitive structure that caters to both Varsity and JV1 teams, ensuring that players of every skill level can participate and shine. State championships will be organized into coed, men’s, and women’s divisions across the two levels, with winners set to advance to the illustrious National Championships.
DUPR’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility is what sets this league apart. CEO Tito Machado passionately states, “DUPR’s High School Pickleball League is a key step in our mission to make pickleball the most inclusive and accessible sport in the world. By creating structured opportunities for high school players, we’re laying the foundation for a vibrant, competitive ecosystem that nurtures talent and fosters a lifelong passion for the game.” This ensures that every player has a chance to not only compete but to thrive in a supportive environment.
State and National Competitions: A Unified Vision
- State Championships: In 2025, DUPR plans to host an impressive 15 state-level championships that will spotlight high school talent nationwide. These championships are designed to be a launching pad for athletes aspiring for national recognition, reinforcing the grassroots enthusiasm for pickleball.
- National Championships: The excitement culminates in the National Championships, where the best Varsity and JV1 teams from state competitions will square off. Featuring divisions for coed, men’s, and women’s teams, these championships will ensure that schools with all-girl or all-boy teams are accommodated with a unique 3-person gender format. This inclusivity allows each school to display their talent, with additional individual competitions for singles players set to highlight the elite athletes among them.
The coed teams will utilize the thrilling MLPlay format, similar to what fans love in DUPR’s Minor League Pickleball, injecting a fast-paced and dynamic style into the competition that’s sure to captivate sport aficionados.
Emphasizing Growth and Community
Ryan Maher, VP of Partnerships and Programs at DUPR, expressed his excitement for this initiative, stating, “We are thrilled to launch a pathway for high school pickleball players that not only provides opportunities to compete locally and nationally but also lays the foundation for their future in the sport.” His words resonate with the aspirations of countless young athletes looking to carve out their paths in pickleball, ensuring that they have a launchpad for growth that could lead to collegiate play and even professional opportunities.
This program is not just about competition; it’s about creating a community. Through these leagues, friendships will form, skills will be honed, and a lifelong love for the sport will blossom. The future of pickleball is looking bright, and it starts with the next generation of ambassadors for the game.
A Sport on the Rise
As DUPR takes this monumental step in establishing the first-ever High School Pickleball League, we are on the brink of a thrilling new chapter in the sport’s history. With competitive opportunities aplenty and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, the stage is set for young athletes to experience the joys and challenges of pickleball like never before.
The excitement is palpable, and we can’t wait to see where this journey will take us! So grab your paddles, rally your teammates, and get ready to serve up some unforgettable moments in pickleball history! The future is here, and it’s brighter than ever!
About The Dink Minor League Pickleball
Minor League Pickleball offers an innovative team competition format, bringing together teams consisting of four players (two women and two men). Spanning multiple days, our events feature a unique and engaging format with exciting variations on traditional match-ups and scoring systems for games, matches, and tiebreakers. With events hosted in 25 states across the nation, including 108 confirmed events and 7 Regionals, Minor League Pickleball has attracted over 8,000 players since its inception in 2022, providing a dynamic and competitive platform for pickleball players of all skill levels For more information visit www.dupr.com/minorleague.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
SOURCE DUPR
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game.