The 2025 Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship: A Complete Look at the Winners and What Made This Tournament Historic

The largest amateur team pickleball tournament in the world has concluded, and the results showcase just how far grassroots competitive pickleball has come. The 2025 Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship brought together players from across the United States and around the globe for five days of intense competition, creative team costumes, and memorable moments that will be talked about for years to come.

Held at Pickler Universe in Dallas, Texas, this year’s championship represented a significant milestone for amateur pickleball. The tournament drew 1,300 registrations representing 1,000 unique competitors who formed 318 teams across multiple divisions. These weren’t just local players looking for weekend competition—they came from 35 different U.S. states and 8 countries, all vying for national titles and their share of a $100,000 prize purse.

What makes this tournament particularly noteworthy is the sheer diversity of participants. The youngest competitor was just 10 years old, while the oldest was 69, proving that pickleball truly is a sport for all ages and skill levels. Nearly 200 athletes competed in multiple events, demonstrating the depth of talent and commitment among amateur players.

Understanding Minor League Pickleball for Newcomers

If you’re not deeply embedded in the pickleball community, you might be wondering what exactly Minor League Pickleball is and why this championship matters. Unlike traditional pickleball tournaments where individuals or doubles pairs compete, Minor League Pickleball operates on a team-based format that brings a unique energy and camaraderie to the sport.

Think of it as similar to recreational sports leagues you might have participated in for softball or basketball, but elevated to a championship level. Teams are organized by skill level using the DUPR rating system, which is a universal rating that measures player ability on a numerical scale. This ensures that teams compete against others of similar skill, making matches competitive and fair.

The format creates an atmosphere that’s different from typical pickleball tournaments. There’s a strong emphasis on team identity, with many squads creating elaborate costumes and team names that add entertainment value beyond just the athletic competition. Teams like “Bikini Bottom Broskis” and “Queens of the Court” bring personality to the event, making it as much about community and fun as it is about serious competition.

The DUPR rating system divides players into different skill brackets. A DUPR 14 player, for example, is considerably more skilled than a DUPR 9 player. The championship featured divisions ranging from DUPR 9 up to DUPR 22, accommodating everyone from advanced recreational players to those approaching professional-level skills. Additionally, age-specific divisions like the 50+ categories ensure that players compete against others in similar life stages.

The Open Age Division Winners

The open age divisions featured some of the most competitive play of the tournament, with teams ranging from DUPR 12 to DUPR 22 battling for supremacy. These divisions don’t have age restrictions, focusing purely on skill level, which creates a fascinating mix of young guns and experienced veterans on the same courts.

Premier Ballerz claimed victory in the DUPR 14 division, showcasing the kind of fundamental skills and team coordination that defines successful teams at this level. As players move up the DUPR scale, the precision and strategy become increasingly sophisticated.

In the DUPR 16 division, You Got Served took home the championship, demonstrating the balance of offensive power and defensive consistency needed to win at this intermediate-advanced level. The competition intensified further in the DUPR 18 bracket, where Fawkes Phoenix emerged victorious after what undoubtedly included some nail-biting matches.

The higher-level divisions showcased truly elite amateur play. Brooklyn Pickleball Team captured the DUPR 20 championship, bringing East Coast talent to Texas and proving they could compete with the best teams in the country. These players possess skills that would look impressive even to casual observers—consistent third shot drops, aggressive but controlled drives, and the kind of court coverage that comes from countless hours of practice.

At the pinnacle of amateur competition, Netflix won the DUPR 22 division. These players operate at a level just below professional, with shot-making ability and court sense that rivals what you’d see on professional tours. The margin for error at this level is razor-thin, and every point requires maximum focus and execution.

The 3v3 Gendered Divisions Showcase Depth of Talent

One of the unique aspects of this championship is the 3v3 format, which differs from traditional pickleball’s doubles-based structure. With three players per side, the court dynamics change significantly, requiring different positioning strategies and creating more opportunities for creative play patterns.

In the women’s DUPR 9 division, Queens of the Court demonstrated that even at developing skill levels, team chemistry and smart play can overcome opponents. This division represents players who have moved beyond beginner status but are still refining the technical aspects of their game.

Premier Ballerz proved their dominance across multiple divisions, capturing both the men’s and women’s DUPR 11 championships. This kind of organizational success across different team rosters speaks to a club or organization that’s building a strong pickleball culture and developing players systematically.

The DUPR 13 divisions saw international flavor come to the forefront. Bikini Bottom Broskis claimed the men’s title with what we can only imagine was both skilled play and entertaining team spirit. On the women’s side, Pretty Tough from Puerto Rico brought championship-level play to Dallas, representing the growing international reach of Minor League Pickleball.

At the DUPR 15 level, competition became even more intense. Crank’d Up took the men’s championship, while The Better Netflicks won the women’s division. The clever team name is a nod to one of the sport’s fundamental techniques—the ability to take balls out of the air at the net, which becomes increasingly important at higher skill levels.

The V3 Open division, which doesn’t restrict by gender, was claimed by Colorado Cuties, showcasing that the Rocky Mountain state is producing serious pickleball talent despite not being one of the traditional hotbeds like Florida or California.

The 50+ Divisions Prove Age Is Just a Number

One of the most inspiring aspects of pickleball is watching players over 50 compete at high levels, and this championship featured multiple divisions specifically for this age group. These aren’t just recreational players enjoying a weekend hobby—these are serious athletes maintaining impressive skill levels and competitive fire.

International representation continued in the 50+ divisions, with The Oldies Crew from Puerto Rico capturing the 50+ DUPR 12 championship. The team name might be self-deprecating, but their play certainly wasn’t, as they outlasted all competitors in their division.

Pickled Pink won the 50+ DUPR 14 division, while Austin Ballers represented Texas pride in capturing the 50+ DUPR 16 championship on their home state soil. The fact that players over 50 are competing at a DUPR 16 level—which represents advanced recreational to low-competitive play—demonstrates the serious athletic commitment these players maintain.

At the highest level of 50+ competition, Cranky Pickle OG won the 50+ DUPR 18 division. These players possess skills that would impress in any age division, combining the technical proficiency that comes from years of racket sports experience with the strategic thinking that develops over decades of competitive play. The “OG” in their name is well-earned, representing original generation players who have been in the sport long enough to see it transform from niche activity to mainstream phenomenon.

What This Tournament Means for Amateur Pickleball

The size and scope of this championship represents a significant milestone in pickleball’s evolution. Just a few years ago, a 1,000-player amateur tournament would have been unthinkable. The fact that players traveled from 35 states and 8 countries to compete demonstrates that team-based pickleball has captured something special in the sport’s culture.

The tournament structure itself is worthy of examination. By organizing competition around DUPR ratings and creating both open and age-specific divisions, the championship ensures that players of all skill levels and ages can find competitive matches. A 60-year-old DUPR 14 player has a division. So does a 25-year-old DUPR 14 player. A women’s team wanting to compete against other women’s teams has that option, as do mixed teams who want to compete in open divisions.

This level of organization and the significant prize purse—$100,000 is substantial for amateur sports—indicates that there’s serious infrastructure and investment behind team pickleball. The partnership between DUPR, Pickler Universe, and the Minor League Pickleball organization creates a professional atmosphere even though the players maintain amateur status.

The venue itself, Pickler Universe in Dallas, represents the kind of dedicated pickleball facility that’s becoming more common as the sport grows. These aren’t tennis courts with pickleball lines hastily taped down—they’re purpose-built pickleball venues designed to host major events. Having a championship court where finals can be played, complete with spectator seating and the kind of atmosphere that creates memorable moments, elevates the entire experience for players.

Tournament Highlights That Captured Attention

Beyond the final scores and championship trophies, this tournament produced moments that exemplify what makes pickleball special. The costume contests added a layer of entertainment that you simply don’t see in most competitive sports. Teams take their costumes seriously, with coordinated outfits that often relate to their team names, creating visual spectacle alongside athletic competition.

The youth participation stands out as particularly noteworthy. Having a 10-year-old competing in a national championship alongside players up to age 69 creates intergenerational connections that are rare in sports. Pickleball’s relatively low barrier to entry, combined with the DUPR rating system that allows players to find appropriate competition, means that young players can develop skills and compete meaningfully much earlier than in many other sports.

The Instagram highlights from the event showcase the energy and excitement that permeated the tournament. From championship-point celebrations to creative team photos, the social media documentation creates a record of the event while also promoting the sport to broader audiences.

The nearly 200 athletes who competed in multiple events demonstrate the endurance and commitment required to succeed at this level. Playing multiple matches across different divisions over five days is physically demanding, requiring not just skill but fitness and mental toughness. These players aren’t just showing up for a casual weekend tournament—they’re treating this as a serious athletic endeavor requiring preparation and dedication.

The Growing International Dimension

The participation of teams from eight countries signals that pickleball’s growth isn’t confined to the United States. Puerto Rico’s strong showing, with championship teams in both the 50+ and women’s divisions, demonstrates that the sport has taken serious root in the Caribbean. While the majority of players still come from the U.S., the international presence adds a dimension that foreshadows where the sport might be headed.

As pickleball spreads globally, we’re likely to see more international teams competing at events like this. The team format actually lends itself well to international competition, as countries could potentially field national teams, creating a structure similar to Davis Cup in tennis or other team-based international sporting competitions.

The DUPR rating system’s universality helps facilitate international competition. A DUPR 16 player from Puerto Rico can compete against a DUPR 16 team from Texas knowing that the ratings should create competitive balance. This standardization becomes increasingly important as the sport grows and players from different regions and countries want to test themselves against broader competition.

What Makes Team Pickleball Different

For those accustomed to traditional tournament pickleball, the team format creates a fundamentally different experience. In regular tournaments, you’re responsible only for your own performance and that of your partner. In team events, there’s a collective success or failure that changes the emotional dynamics.

Team formats create more opportunities for players to contribute. In a traditional tournament, if you lose your match, you’re done. In team competition, your teammates might pick you up with their performances, or you might have another opportunity to contribute in a different match. This creates resilience and camaraderie that individual formats don’t always foster.

The strategic element also becomes more complex in team play. Coaches or team captains must decide which players to put in which matches, considering matchups, player energy levels, and the overall team situation. Do you put your strongest players first to establish momentum, or save them for later matches when the championship might be on the line? These decisions add a layer of complexity that makes team events intellectually engaging beyond just the physical execution.

The costume and team identity aspects shouldn’t be dismissed as mere entertainment—they serve important functions in building team cohesion and creating memorable experiences. When players invest in creating team costumes and identities, they’re building bonds that extend beyond just hitting balls together. These shared experiences create pickleball communities that keep players engaged in the sport long-term.

The Infrastructure Behind the Success

An event of this magnitude doesn’t happen without significant organizational infrastructure. The partnership with DUPR provides the rating system that makes fair competition possible. Without accurate ratings, you’d have mismatched teams creating blowouts instead of competitive matches. DUPR’s role in validating and maintaining player ratings gives the tournament credibility and ensures that divisional placements are appropriate