$40,000 on the Line: College Pickleball's National Championship Promises High Stakes and Historic Wins
What's the Score?
The 2025 Collegiate Pickleball National Championship in Atlanta marks a historic moment, offering the champion and runner-up a chance to compete against Major League Pickleball (MLP) pros. The event, backed by the UPA and DUPR, is expected to see significant growth in participation, reflecting the rapid rise of collegiate pickleball across the US. Over 200 schools and 4,000 players are anticipated to participate in the Collegiate Pickleball Tour (CPT) events this year, with 64 top teams competing for a $40,000 prize pool at the national championship.
Hit it deeper!
For the first time in college pickleball history, winning the national championship will not only award a trophy but also a unique opportunity: the 2025 Collegiate Pickleball Tour (CPT) champion and runner-up will compete against Major League Pickleball pros at their mid-season tournament in July. Collegiate pickleball has experienced substantial growth since the inaugural Collegiate National Championship hosted by DUPR in 2022, which had 17 schools and 151 players. This year's championship is expected to see those numbers more than triple. Students nationwide are actively establishing their pickleball teams, with many clubs forming within the past year. This increase in participating schools has led to a notable rise in the level of play over the last two years. While college pickleball is still far from being sanctioned as a Division I sport, it has expanded considerably on US campuses.
The CPT, supported by the UPA and DUPR, has evolved from a single tournament into a comprehensive collegiate tour. In January, DUPR and the UPA formally announced the CPT's creation, which includes campus regionals, super regionals, and showcase events at PPA Tour stops, along with a total prize pool of $100,000 for the year. With an expected participation of over 200 schools and 4,000 players in 2025 events, the CPT is at the forefront of the expansion of collegiate pickleball. Super Regionals have become vital in collegiate pickleball, providing teams with opportunities to secure bids for nationals and compete for scholarship money. The CPT’s Georgia Super Regional alone featured 272 players from 25 schools. Hunter Aiono, the UPA's director of collegiate pickleball, has witnessed this significant growth firsthand through the super regionals. He noted that the Georgia Super Regional was the largest college pickleball tournament ever held, besides the national tournament. Aiono anticipates around 750 players competing at Nationals in Atlanta this month. College pickleball is also gaining visibility at PPA Tour stops, with rivalries like Florida vs. Florida State and Texas A&M vs. Texas taking centre stage. These showcase events are a crucial step in increasing exposure for the collegiate game, and the UPA's vision extends to creating a pathway for junior players to progress from middle and high school competitions to college and eventually to the professional level.
The stakes are high for the Collegiate National Championships, as 64 of the nation’s top collegiate pickleball teams will compete at Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 11-13. They will be vying for a share of a $40,000 prize pool and the national championship. To qualify for nationals, schools needed to earn a bid through various methods, including the 2024 National Championship, Super Regionals, Campus Regionals, Dual Matches, or a Wild Card. The tournament format will consist of group play followed by a March Madness-style elimination tournament. Unlike other college sports, players can directly win scholarship prize money for their performance in events, which is seen as crucial for the long-term growth of college pickleball. The prize breakdown for the first team bracket includes $15,000 for 1st place, $5,000 for 2nd place, $2,500 for 3rd and 4th place, and $1,250 for 5th to 8th place. Schools that did not receive a bid or wish to send a second team also have a chance to win prize money in a separate bracket. Additional scholarships include $1,000 for the school with the most players, $1,000 for the best-performing challenger teams, and $500 for each Challenger Bracket division winner. Several teams are highlighted as contenders, including Utah Tech University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, and the University of Texas, each with key players and past successes. These "blue bloods" of college pickleball have consistently been dominant forces.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The rapid growth of collegiate pickleball, as highlighted by the soaring participation numbers and the introduction of a formal tour with significant prize money, underscores the increasing integration of the sport into the American college sports landscape. The groundbreaking opportunity for college players to compete against MLP pros signifies a crucial step in bridging the gap between amateur and professional pickleball, potentially creating a more defined pathway for aspiring professionals. The substantial prize pool and scholarship opportunities further legitimize collegiate pickleball and will likely attract more talented athletes to the sport at the university level. The emergence of "blue blood" programs like UNC, UVA, and Utah Tech indicates a developing history and competitive culture within college pickleball, akin to established college sports. The increased exposure at PPA Tour stops will also play a vital role in raising the profile of the collegiate game. Overall, the 2025 Collegiate National Championship represents a pivotal moment for college pickleball, signaling a future of continued growth, increased competition, and a stronger connection to the professional ranks.