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RTM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. What is RTM?
The RTM Tournament Series is the first-ever year-round program designed to identify and cultivate local talent to ladder up to D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball rosters. But it’s not just for players looking to play Minor League and/or pro level. RTM is also for your average rec player looking to compete and test their skills. 

All events in the DMV will be hosted exclusively by Down the Line Sports Center (along with select facilities), where players will participate in DUPR sessions and monthly tournaments to earn points in an effort to qualify for DCPT’s MiLP DUPR 12 to 22 rosters. Weekly DUPR sessions begin Friday, January 31, and the first tournament kicks off Friday, February 28.

This initiative marks a significant milestone for pickleball enthusiasts, providing a structured pathway to elevate their game, compete at a higher level, and engage with D.C. Pickleball Team’s leading coaches and talent evaluators.

2. How It Works

  • RTM DUPR Sessions: Participants must complete a minimum of 2 RTM DUPR before the final RTM Cup Final held in November 2025. These sessions are a way to ensure accurate ratings and fair competition. All sessions will be offered weekly, starting Friday, January 31, at Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

    Events will move to the new state-of-the-art Annandale facility (projected opening May 2025).
    All players must join the DUPR “DTL – Fairfax” Club for all events at Fairfax and the DUPR “DTL – Annandale” Club for all events at Annandale so scores can be entered and recorded accurately. 

    Players do not have to complete a DUPR session before signing up for RTM tournaments. RTM staff will verify that all RTM tournament players have participated in at least 2 DUPR sessions before the RTM Cup Final

    DTL Members get a discount on the first RTM DUPR session they sign up for ($15 for DTL Members / $30 Non-Members).
    DTL Members must join the pickleball.com “DTL – Fairfax” Club for DUPR sessions at Fairfax and the pickleball.com “DTL – Annandale” Club for DUPR sessions at Annandale. If your price for the first session does not reflect $15 we will add $15 DTL credits to your account. Please do not request a refund – your service fee cannot be returned and you could lose your spot in the event. 

  • Tracking Progress: Player performance will be monitored via DUPR and pickleball.com ensuring transparent and accurate tracking of scores and progress. This system enables participants and the DC Pickleball Team to effectively evaluate top players throughout the year. Players will accrue points throughout the year on an individual basis and points will be tracked on pickleball.com. All players must go to pickleball.com and join the “RTM Association” Club in order to have their points displayed on the leaderboard.

  • Monthly RTM Tournaments & Wildcard Opportunities: Beginning in February, RTM tournaments will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles at DUPR levels ranging from 3.0 to open division. Points will be awarded to first place winners through 4th place for bronze level tournaments. Points will be awarded to first place through 6th place for silver and gold level tournaments. RTM Rounds 1-3 have already been posted on pickleball.com. You can use these links to register: 
    RTM Round 1 – Fairfax VA
    RTM Round 2 – Fairfax VA
    RTM Round 3 – Fairfax VA

    In addition to monthly tournaments, players will have opportunities to enhance their profiles and impress DCPT scouts through special combines and mini-tournaments throughout the year.

  • Year-End RTM Cup: The series will culminate in an MiLP-format tournament, where top players will showcase their skills in front of DCPT ownership and coaching staff for potential Minor League roster spots and an opportunity to represent the team at The Dink MiLP Nationals in December.

  • Unique Giveaways at all the events there will be unique giveaways for participants including RTM branded shirts provided by RTM’s Official Retail Partner, Pickleball Drop Shop, and other brands. Each 1st place winner of RTM Round 1 will each win a Paddletek paddle! Each month will have special sponsored prizes.

3. Process Outline

a. Register for RTM DUPR sessions + RTM Tournaments
(You can sign up for RTM tournaments before completing DUPR sessions. A minimum of 2 DUPR sessions must be completed before RTM Cup Finals in November).
Players must join the DUPR “DTL – Fairfax” Club for all events at Fairfax and the DUPR “DTL – Annandale” Club for all events at Annandale so scores can be entered and recorded accurately. Players should also join the DUPR “DC Pickleball Team” Club for a chance to win additional raffle drawings. 

b. Play RTM tournaments (doubles format) with a partner and start winning and accruing points. Partners can change with each tournament.

c. Watch your points accrue on the leaderboard on pickleball.com.
Players must join the “RTM Association” Club on pickleball.com (free membership) to track your points.

d. Continue to play for a chance to represent the DC Pickleball Team on one of their Minor League teams for DUPR 12-22. There is room for all players ranging from 3.0 to 5.0+
DUPR teams #s (12-22) are a culmination of DUPR ratings for all 4 players on the team (e.g. DUPR 12 can be composed of 4 players with ratings of 3.0 each).

e. Top players will be invited to play and exhibit their skills in the RTM Cup Finals in November. Winning teams for DUPR 12-22 will win a team ticket representing the DC Pickleball Team to the The Dink MiLP Nationals in December.

4. What are the RTM tournament levels?
RTM Gold: 14+ Courts
1st Place (1,000); 2nd Place (700); 3rd Place (400); 4th Place (200); 5th (100); 6th (50)

RTM Silver: 7-13 Courts
1st Place (700); 2nd Place (400); 3rd Place (200); 4th Place (125); 5th (75); 6th (25)

RTM Bronze: 3-6 Courts
1st Place (400); 2nd Place (250); 3rd Place (100); 4th Place (75)

5. What is the format for RTM?
RTM will be played in doubles format. The following divisions will be offered:
3.0-3.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
3.5-3.9 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
4.0-4.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
4.5+ (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
Open Division *
*Not available at every Bronze level tournament

RTM Cup (Finals) will be played in MLP format with teams of 4 (2 males, 2 females) at DUPR levels 12-22. 

6. Where will RTM tournaments be played?
RTM tournaments will be played at DTL Fairfax and DTL Annandale as well as select indoor facilities in the DMV area. RTM will also be held in other regions around the country.

7. Do I need a partner for RTM tournaments?
Yes, you need a partner. You can have a different partner for every tournament.

8. Do I need a partner for DUPR sessions?
No, you do not sign up with a partner for DUPR sessions.

9. How are points accrued? 
Points are accrued on an individual basis. You can have a different partner for each tournament and your points will follow you as an individual player. Points will be tracked on pickleball.com

10. What is RTM Juniors?
RTM Juniors is for our young players ages 17 years and younger. Junior players can also accrue points throughout the year and have a chance to play in RTM Cup (Finals) for a roster spot on DUPR 12 and DUPR 14 teams for the DC Pickleball Team.

The purpose of RTM Juniors is to provide local opportunities for young players to compete without the added burden of travel and expenses for families

11. How do I register my junior for an RTM Junior tournament?

a) All Juniors must have an active DUPR account.
Juniors under 13 years old must have a parent submit this form to create a DUPR account.
https://dupr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=31081064080148
b) All Juniors must have their own account on pickleball.com and register for tournaments through their own account. Junior tournaments are based on age so your child’s age must be accurate in the system.

You can register for the first RTM Junior tournament at DTL Fairfax March 21/22 here: RTM Juniors Fairfax VA – Round 1

12. What is the format/schedule for the 1st RTM Juniors tournament at DTL Fairfax?
Friday March 21 – Singles
Saturday March 22 – Doubles

All players must join the DUPR “DTL – Fairfax” Club for events at Fairfax and the DUPR “DTL – Annandale” Club for events at Annandale. Players should also join the DUPR “DC Pickleball Team” Club for chances at raffle prizes.
All players must join the pickleball.com “RTM Association” Club

Juniors must sign up with a partner.

13. Are DUPR sessions required for RTM Juniors?
No, DUPR sessions are not required for RTM Juniors.