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. 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 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
