The Nation’s Best Amateurs Can Compete Alongside Pros at These Regional Showdowns

If you’re serious about competing at the highest level of amateur pickleball, this is where you need to show up

If you’re trying to make a run at the Championships, this is where it starts.

The 2026 Regional Showdowns for The Dink Minor League Pickleball are officially on the calendar, giving teams across the country a clear path to qualify for the biggest stage in amateur team pickleball.

These events are the backbone of the season. Show up, perform, and you’re not just playing for a medal, you’re playing for a spot at the Championships.

And this year, several of those stops will take place alongside Major League Pickleball events, bringing amateur competition into the same environment as the pro game.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball Championships: 2026 Schedule

Beginning with the upcoming season, The Dink MiLP Championships will now take place in February 2027, shifting away from its previous December schedule

The Dink PickleballLuke Burton

The Dink MiLP Regional Showdowns bring world-class, team-oriented competition to players of all skill levels and create a pathway to the world championships.

These events will give amateur athletes the opportunity to compete in a four-player, coed team format (two women and two men) and a three-player, gendered team format (MiLP v3), following official MiLP team rules.

Love pickleball? Then you'll love our free newsletter. We send the latest news, tips, and highlights for free each week.

2026 Regional Showdown Calendar

Here’s the full lineup of Regional Showdowns this season. Events that take place alongside Major League Pickleball (MLP) stops are noted.

• Dallas, TX — May 22–25 (MLP Stop)
• Columbus, OH — May 28–31 (MLP Stop)
• Austin, TX — June 11–14 (MLP Stop)
• New York, NY — June 25–28 (MLP Stop)
• Newport Beach, CA — July 16–19 (MLP Stop)
• Chicago, IL — July 23–26 (MLP Stop)
• Kansas City, MO — July 26
• San Diego, CA — August 13–16 (MLP Stop)
• Jacksonville, FL — August 15-16
• Lynnwood, WA — November 13-15

What Makes a Regional Showdown Different?

Not all events are created equal, and Regionals sit in a tier of their own.

Regional Showdowns are official pathway events within The Dink Minor League Pickleball system; division winners are automatically guaranteed a spot at the Championships.

Here’s what separates them:

• Direct Path to Nationals → Win your division and earn a Dream Ticket.
• Double Leaderboard Impact → Every match matters more, with increased points shaping the national leaderboard.

If you’re serious about competing at the highest level of amateur pickleball, this is where you need to show up.

Because at Regionals, you’re not just playing matches, you’re building your path to the Championships.