League Divisions
Organized by skill level and age group for competitive balance
How We Determine Divisions
All divisions are determined by the aggregate DUPR of a team's players. Each division is a combined DUPR score for the team, such as DUPR 12, 14, 16, or 18. In addition to combined DUPR, divisions are determined by age groups like 50+.
Each player on a 4-person team (2 men, 2 women) must have a DUPR score. DUPR stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating. The team's aggregate DUPR score is calculated by adding together the four individual DUPR scores of the four players. Each division also has a maximum individual player rating cap. For example, a DUPR 12 division team's total DUPR must be 12.300 or lower, and no individual player can have a DUPR score higher than 3.600 to play in DUPR 12. A DUPR 14 team's total DUPR score must be 14.300 or lower, and no individual player can have a DUPR score higher than 4.1 to play in DUPR 14.
These DUPR score restrictions apply across all divisions defined by age group. Open(no age restriction) DUPR 12 and Senior (50+) 12, and any other age-restriced divisions, would have the same aggregate DUPR score and individual DUPR score cap restrictions.
Only DUPR 12 and DUPR 14 divisions are planned for the inaugural season. If there is demand, DUPR 16 and DUPR 18 divsions may be added in the futuer.
Only Open and Senior divisions are planned for the inaugural season. As the number of players in these two age-related divisions increases, more limited age-related divisions may be added.
Current Divisions
🥉 DUPR 12:
Skill Description:Team’s total DUPR must be 12.300 or lower.
Number of Teams:4-8
Format: Double round-robin with seeded playoffs and championship.
Players may be of any age. No individual player can have a DUPR higher than 3.60 to play in DUPR 12. A team may have up to 8 players on its roster. The total DUPR restriction applies to the four players who play in a match.
🥈 DUPR 12 50+
Skill Description:Team’s total DUPR must be 12.300 or lower.
Number of Teams:4-8
Format: Double round-robin with seeded playoffs and championship.
Players must be age 50 or older. No individual player can have a DUPR higher than 3.60 to play in DUPR 12. A team may have up to 8 players on its roster. The total DUPR restriction applies to the four players who play in a match.
🥉 DUPR 14:
Skill Description:Team’s total DUPR must be 14.300 or lower.
Number of Teams:4-8
Format: Double round-robin with seeded playoffs and championship.
Players may be of any age. No individual player can have a DUPR higher than 4.10 to play in DUPR 14. A team may have up to 8 players on its roster. The total DUPR restriction applies to the four players who play in a match.
🥈 DUPR 14 50+
Skill Description:Team’s total DUPR must be 14.300 or lower.
Number of Teams:4-8
Format: Double round-robin with seeded playoffs and championship.
Players must be age 50 or older. No individual player can have a DUPR higher than 4.10 to play in DUPR 14. A team may have up to 8 players on its roster. The total DUPR restriction applies to the four players who play in a match.
Division Placement & Movement
Once a team signs up to participate in a division of the League, their current ratings are “locked” for the season and increases or decreases in their ratings will not impact the team’s aggregate rating or division placement for the season. Changes up or down must be re-evaluated prior to the next season and may impact the player’s eligibility for the same team and/or division for the following season.
For age-restricted divsions, a player's age is determined by their age on December 31 of the season year. For a 50+ division, for example, a player must be 50 by December 31 of the season year, meaning a player may be 49 for part of the season year and be eligible to play in a 50+ division as long as they turn 50 before the end of the year.
A division requires at least four teams, and may have as many as 8 teams. If fewer than four teams register for a particular division, that division will not be included in the current season. If more than 8 teams register for a particular division, that division will be subdivided into two or more divisions based on age or venue factors as applicable.
Future Divisions?
The plan for the above four divisions for the inaugural season is of course subject to change based on the number of teams that register, and the number of players who express interest in playing team pickleball but who do not fit in any of these divisions. For example, if four teams of players at higher skill levels wish to participate, a DUPR 16 or DUPR 18 division could be added. If more than 8 teams want to register for an existing skill-level division, the division could be subdivided into Under 30 and 30+ divisions. If and when sufficient interest is expressed, new divisions could be created for players under 18, or high scool or college divisions could be created.
The defining characteristic of this league is the 4 player team comprised of 2 men and 2 women. Should there be enough interest in a different format, then that would require the creation of a new league.