RTM Tournament Description

Road to Minors (RTM) Tournament Series is a tournament series to provide a pathway for amateur players to qualify for one of D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) DUPR 12-22 rosters. The top performing players in the RTM Series will have a chance to showcase their skills during the RTM Nationals at the end of the year. It will also allow players to build their DUPR profiles and gain valuable match play experience while being evaluated by the D.C. Pickleball Team coaching staff and front office.

RTM tournaments were founded at DTL in Fairfax, VA and will move to DTL in Annandale, VA once it opens in the Spring of 2025. DTL will host monthly RTM tournaments for all skill divisions from 3.0 to 4.5+.

Played in doubles format for mens, womens, and mixed divisions, all players sign up with a partner of their choice. Partners can change for every tournament.

RTM tournaments have different tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each tier awards winners a different amount of points. Points are accumulated on an individual basis. There is no minimum or maximum number of tournaments you can play. The more tournaments you play and win, the more points you will accrue as an individual.

DTL Fairfax will host Bronze tier RTM tournaments.

DTL Annandale will host Gold tier RTM tournament.

RTM Point System

RTM Gold:

1st Place: 1000 points

2nd Place: 700 points

3rd Place: 400 points

4th Place: 200 points

5th Place: 100 points

6th Place: 50 points

RTM Silver:

1st Place: 700 points

2nd Place: 400 points

3rd Place: 200 points

4th Place: 125 points

5th Place: 75 points

6th Place: 25 points

RTM Bronze:

1st Place: 400 points

2nd Place: 250 points

3rd Place: 100 points

4th Place: 75 points

RTM Tournament Requirements:

1. All players must participate in at least two (2) RTM DUPR sessions before the RTM National Cup in November. These RTM DUPR sessions are listed under “tournaments” on pickleball.com and can be found by searching “RTM.”

You do NOT have to complete your 2 RTM DUPR sessions before you participate in an RTM tournament. You must only complete your 2 RTM DUPR sessions before the RTM National Cup taking place in the Fall.

2. All players must have an active DUPR account.

3. All players must join the following DUPR Clubs: DTL Fairfax, DTL Annandale, and the DC Pickleball Team.

4. All players must join the “Road to Minors (RTM) Association” club on pickleball.com (a free membership) in order to have their points tracked on the RTM leaderboard.

RTM Tournament Format:

Format can vary depending on the number of teams registered for each division.

3.0-3.4 (Women’s/Men’s/Mixed)

3.4-3.9 (Women’s/Men’s/Mixed)

4.0-4.4 (Women’s/Men’s/Mixed)

4.5+ (Women’s/Men’s/Mixed)

If 4 teams registered: Every team will play against each other in double round robin format (every team will play each other twice). Each game will be played to 11 points win by 1. All 4 teams will advance to semi-finals. Both semis and finals will be best 2 out of 3 games, play to 11, win by 2.

If 6 teams registered: Every team will play against each other once in round robin format with a guarantee of 5 games. Each game will be played to 11 points by win by 1. The top 4 teams will advance to the semi-finals. Both semis and finals will be 1 game to 11 win by 2.

If 8 teams registered: There will be 2 pools of 4 teams. Each pool will play in a round robin format (every team will play each other once). Each round robin game will be played to 11 points win by 1. The top 2 teams from each pool will advance to semi-finals. Semi-finals will be 1 game to 15, win by 2. Finals will be best 2 out of 3 games, play to 11, win by 2.

If 10 teams registered: There will be 2 pools of 5 teams. Each pool will play in a round robin format (every team will play each other once). Each game will be played to 11 points win by 1. The top 2 teams from each pool will advance to semi-finals. Semi-finals will be 1 game to 15, win by 2. Finals will be best 2 out of 3 games, play to 11, win by 2.

*Format and scoring is subject to change at the discretion of the tournament director.

**RTM DUPR sessions will be available throughout the year.

**RTM Tournaments will be held on a monthly basis.

SPOTS ARE LIMITED! Claim your tournament spot today!

National RTM Finals

Players with the most points in each skill division (3.0-3.4, 3.5-3.9, 4.0-4.4, 4.5+) will be invited to the National RTM Finals at Down the Line Sports Center in Annandale, VA, in November.

Staff and coaches from the DC Pickleball team will be present to scout potential players for their minor league DUPR 12-22 teams.

Winners chosen to represent the DC Pickleball team in the Minor Leagues will represent DCPT for the next calendar year. They will also get a wildcard ticket to The Dink Minor League National Tournament in December of this year. They will also have the opportunity to play other regional RTM winners.

RTM Series Perks

1. An opportunity to make the DCPT MiLP roster

2. Opportunities to play in tournamants representing the DCPT

3. Medalists will receive an RTM medal (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)

4. Sponsored giveaway items at each tournament

5. Build your DUPR profile for D.C. Pickleball Team to track and evaluate as you make your way along the Road to Minors

6. A chance to win Major League Pickleball DC tickets by joining the DCPT, DTL Fairfax, and DTL Annandale and DUPR Club accounts

For more information visit www.roadtominors.com

Contact info@roadtominors.com for questions

RTM Schedule and Registration

The RTM tournament schedule is listed below and you can sign up through the DTL and DCPT website and/or directly on pickleballbrackets.com.

Round 1: Friday, Feb 28 – Sunday, March 2 & Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 9 (Fairfax)

Round 2: Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13 & Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 20 (Fairfax)

Round 3: Friday, May 31-June 1 (Annandale)

Round 4: Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29 (Annandale)

Round 5: Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27 (Annandale)

Round 6: Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24 (Annandale)

Round 7: Friday, Sept 19 – Sunday, Sept 21 (Annandale)

Round 8: Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19 (Annandale)

Round 9: Friday, November 14 – Sunday, November 16 (Annandale) - RTM NATIONAL CUP

The Dink Minor League Pickleball Nationals: December 2025

RTM Levels - RTM will mirror the DUPR rating session levels:

Level 1: 3.0-3.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)

Level 2: 3.5-3.9 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)

Level 3: 4.0-4.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)

Level 4: 4.5+ (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)

Level 5: Open Division (men's/women's/mixed doubles)

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RTM FAQS

*What is RTM?

A tournament series for you to win points and earn a chance to represent a Major League team or regional team in Minor League Pickleball! Tournaments are held monthly at various facilities (go to roadtominors.com with list of facilities). Players can sign up for as many tournaments they can play and accrue points throughout the year. You do not have to play every tournament, but you are welcome to play them all!

*Where is RTM?

Already established at DTL in Fairfax and coming soon to DTL in Annandale, our premiere location opening in May 2025. But also coming to more regions near you! Stay updated on roadtominors.com or our instagram!

*Who can play in RTM?

Anyone! All levels of amateur play from 3.0 to 4.5+!

*How do I earn points for RTM?

Register for a tournament, play, and win! Top winners of each tournament will accrue points that will be tracked on our leaderboard on pickleball.com

Points are accrued on an individual basis.

Players must join the "RTM Association" club on pickleball.com (free membership) in order for their points to be tracked on the leaderboard.

*How do I get chosen for a Minor League Team?

Top players with the most points at the end of year will be invited to their regional RTM Cup Finals and/or the National RTM Cup Finals in Virginia this November. Major League staff and coaches will be there to scout players for their Minor League teams.

*What skill levels get to be on a Minor League Team?

ALL skill levels! DUPR teams 12-22 will all be composed of 4 players (2 males and females) who make up the cumulative DUPR # for that team (e.g. 4 players of 3.0 DUPR ratings for DUPR 12).

*What are RTM DUPR sessions?

These sessions are designed to help everyone generate more accurate DUPR ratings through more DUPR sanctioned play. Only 2 are required before the RTM Cup in November! You do NOT have to complete your DUPR sessions you sign up for a tournament. You can sign up for tournaments that are posted now and then complete your DUPR sessions before the RTM Cup in November.

*Do I need a partner?

You do NOT need a partner for RTM DUPR sessions.

You DO need a partner for RTM tournament.

You can have a different partner for each RTM tournament.

You must find your own partner or mark "Need a Partner" when you register to see if someone reached out to you. Players who do not have a partner 2 weeks prior to the event start date will have to be withdrawn if there is a waitlist.

*What format are the RTM tournaments?

The RTM tournaments will be played in doubles format for mens, womens, and mixed at all skill divisions.

The National RTM Finals will be played in MLP team format (the top players who get invited will be drafted onto teams).

*Where can I sign up for RTM or RTM DUPR sessions?

Go to pickleball.com and search for "RTM"

*So how do I get started?

Easy! Register for RTM DUPR and RTM tournaments on pickleball.com.

Play, win, and repeat!

There is a No Refund policy for all DUPR rating sessions and RTM tournaments 7 days before the day of the event. Service fees are not refunded.