Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) is now The Dink Minor League Pickleball.

We recently announced our partnership with DUPR, which is designed to extend the reach of Minor League Pickleball to create more events and opportunities for amateur players in the United States and worldwide.

Looking to organize a Minor League Pickleball event in your area? Click here for more details and information

And that's precisely what we plan to do.

First, we wanted to address some frequently asked questions and ensure you know exactly what it takes to play your part in an upcoming The Dink Minor League local or regional tournament.

What is The Dink Minor League?

The Dink Minor League is an innovative team competition where teams of four players (two women and two men) compete against each other in a novel and engaging format, with twists on traditional matchups and scoring for games, matches, and tiebreakers.

Who can play in The Dink Minor League?

Anyone with a DUPR account. The Dink Minor League accepts all ages.

How do I find my DUPR rating?

Log in to your DUPR Dashboard or register for your DUPR account. According to CBS Sports, understanding your skill rating is one of the most important steps any competitive pickleball player can take.

What if I have multiple DUPR accounts?

Players with multiple DUPR accounts need to have their accounts merged. Please contact support to start this process. You can learn more about how DUPR ratings work by reading about the DUPR reliability score and what it means for your game.

How many tournaments are there?

While there is no set limit for local tournaments, seven regional events are planned throughout 2024, and one championship event is planned for December.

Check the website for information about upcoming tournaments near you.

What's the difference between local and regional tournaments?

Individuals and clubs sponsor local tournaments. In these events, players compete for points on the National Leaderboard. The top players from each division receive an invitation to the 2024 National Championship.

Regional Showdowns are larger events, with up to 16 teams per division, played throughout the year. Each gold medalist at a regional event will receive a Dream Ticket to Nationals.

See the Events Calendar and Register for an upcoming tournament.

What is MLPlay™ format?

MLPlay™ is an innovative gameplay format that brings men and women together on a level playing court. In the MLPlay™ format, team matches are composed of four 21-point games:

Game 1: Women's doubles
Game 2: Men's doubles
Games 3 & 4: Mixed doubles

This unique dynamic means that teamwork as a skill is just as critical as speed or technique on the court and a big part of the community aspect of the sport. As Sports Illustrated has noted, formats that blend gender competition are among the most exciting developments driving pickleball's explosive growth.

Where can I find a full list of rules?

Complete rules can be found at DUPR.com/minorleagues/rules.

What are DUPR Divisions?

The Dink Minor Leagues use DUPR scores to dictate what division players belong in. There are five divisions: DUPR 20, 18, 16, 14, and 12. To figure out which division you and your team belong in, add up your collective DUPR scores and compare the total to the max aggregate parameters below:

DUPR 20 — Team's aggregate DUPR must not exceed 20.99
DUPR 18 — Max aggregate 18.30
DUPR 16 — Max aggregate 16.30
DUPR 14* — Max aggregate 14.30 (Maximum individual DUPR cannot exceed 4.10)
DUPR 12** — Max aggregate 12.30 (Maximum individual DUPR cannot exceed 3.60)

For example, in a DUPR 20 Division, you could have four players rated 5.00 (5+5+5+5=20), players rated 6.00, 4.50, 4.50, 5.00 (=20), or any combination thereof that is under 20.30. The same logic applies to DUPR 18, 16, and 14 Divisions.

*DUPR 12 and 22 are available in specific markets and special events. If DUPR 22 is available, the DUPR 20 max aggregate is 20.30, and DUPR 22 is 22.99.

Once a team registers for a The Dink Minor Leagues pickleball event, their ratings are "locked," and their DUPR, whether increasing or decreasing, will not impact the team's aggregate or division placement.

To sign up for a The Dink Minor League event, a DUPR account is required at the time of registration. Register for a DUPR account here.

Who can play at the National Championship?

To play at the National Championship, players must have played in at least ONE The Dink Minor League event during the 2024 season.

What do you get for winning the National Championship?

The National Championship has a prize purse of $50,000. Payouts are to be determined. Teams in all divisions who win first, second, or third place at the National Championship will receive prize money.

Stay tuned for more information. Subject to change.

What is the National Leaderboard?

Each month, around the 15th, the National Leaderboard will be updated to show the most recent results from local and regional events. You can qualify for points by playing in Regional Showdowns and official The Dink Minor League events.

Find a list of events at dupr.com/minorleague.

How do I create a team for Nationals?

The top players in the National Leaderboard will receive an email with instructions.

How do I register for an upcoming The Dink Minor Leagues tournament?

The Events Calendar is the most up-to-date source of all upcoming The Dink Minor League tournaments and events. You can also talk to clubs in your area about hosting a local tournament.

See the Events Calendar and Register for an upcoming tournament.

What is the 2024 qualifying season?

Local events run from November 25, 2023, through October 14, 2024. Regional Showdowns happen from July 20, 2024, through November 10, 2024.

How can I host a local event?

Please contact us if you're interested in hosting a local The Dink Minor League tournament or event.

What if I have other questions?

Please visit the official The Dink Minor League website or contact us directly. We'd be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Dink Minor League Pickleball only for advanced players?

Not at all. The Dink Minor League Pickleball is open to players of all skill levels, as long as you have a verified DUPR account. The division structure — ranging from DUPR 12 to DUPR 20 — is specifically designed to ensure players compete against others at a similar skill level, making it fun and competitive no matter where you fall on the rating scale.

How does the MLPlay™ format differ from standard pickleball tournament formats?

MLPlay™ is unique because it combines men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles into a single team match — meaning no player category carries the game alone. Each team match consists of four 21-point games played in a specific sequence, so every player on your four-person roster has a meaningful role. This format rewards teamwork, strategy, and depth in a way that traditional bracket-style tournaments simply don't.

Can I play in The Dink Minor League if I don't have a DUPR rating yet?

You'll need a DUPR account before you can register for any Minor League Pickleball event. The good news is that creating a DUPR account is free and straightforward — once you're registered and have played a rated match, your score will reflect your actual skill level and place you in the appropriate division.

What is a Dream Ticket and how do I earn one?

A Dream Ticket is a direct invitation to the 2024 National Championship, awarded to the gold medalists at each Regional Showdown event. Earning a Dream Ticket is one of the most coveted achievements in the amateur pickleball circuit, bypassing the National Leaderboard qualifying process entirely. If your team wins gold at a regional event, you're heading straight to Nationals.

How many people do I need to form a team for Minor League Pickleball?

Each team consists of exactly four players — two women and two men. This structure is baked directly into the MLPlay™ format, which requires gender-balanced rosters to run the full sequence of women's doubles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles games. If you don't have a full team ready, reach out to local clubs or event organizers who may be able to help connect you with other players looking to compete.