Inside the Rapid Rise of The Dink Minor League Pickleball in England

Pickleball’s growth across the UK has been truly remarkable over the past decade, but one format is starting to accelerate competitive play in a new way.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball.

Since launching its first UK event in October 2025, the team-based format has quickly found an audience among competitive recreational players across England.

To understand how the format is taking hold overseas, The Dink spoke with Shiv Desai, the tournament director for The Dink Minor League Pickleball in England, about the early events, the rapid growth, and what the future might look like.

When did The Dink Minor League Pickleball first launch in England?

The UK held its first event on October 25, 2025 in Eversley, Hampshire. At the time, the format was almost completely unknown among local players.

“Most people had never heard of Minor League Pickleball before,” Shiv said.

Still, players were curious enough to give it a try.

How many teams competed in the first event?

The inaugural tournament featured six teams in the DUPR 14 division and four teams in DUPR 16.

Most of the teams were local to the Hampshire area, though some players made the trip from London, Brighton, and Kent to compete.

Despite the small field, the matches were competitive from the start.

Players also got their first introduction to one of The Dink Minor League Pickleball’s most unique elements: the Singles DreamBreaker.

“Let’s just say the crowd was divided on that one,” Shiv joked.

But overall, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Was there a moment when you realized the format could work in England?

According to Shiv, the reaction from players after that first event made it clear there was potential.

“The teams loved the format, the organization, and the closely contested matches,” he said.

Many players had never experienced a team-based pickleball competition before. The atmosphere around the courts felt different from a traditional tournament.

“That’s when we realized this could really grow here,” Shiv said. “We just needed to get the word out.”

How much growth has England seen since then?

The growth has been quick.

Since the inaugural tournament, organizers have hosted six additional events, expanding into Kent, Suffolk, the West Midlands, and back to Hampshire.

More than 200 players have competed so far across the DUPR 14 and DUPR 16 divisions.

And the pace is increasing.

Another 10 events are already scheduled over the next three months, along with new venues designed to make travel easier for players across the country.

Online interest is growing as well. The Dink MiLP UK Instagram account has reached 600 followers in its first four months, helped in part by a paddle giveaway promotion with UK Pickleball Shop.

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What does the typical player look like in England?

Early data showed a clear trend.

“We analyzed DUPR player data and realized the key demographic for competitive pickleball in the UK is between 3.0 and 4.5 ratings,” Shiv said.

Because of that, early events have focused on DUPR 14 and DUPR 16 divisions in the 18+ category.

The goal is simple: make the format accessible to the largest group of competitive players.

Why does the team-based format resonate with UK players?

Part of the appeal is how different the format is from traditional tournaments in England.

Most UK events require players to enter as a doubles pair. Team competitions do exist, but they usually require players to represent a formal pickleball club, and only a handful of players are selected.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball removes those barriers.

“Anybody can create a team of four players and register,” Shiv said.

That flexibility has made the format appealing to players who might otherwise struggle to find a place in club-based competitions.

As more players discover it, participation continues to grow.

“We’re seeing a lot of teams come back to compete again and again,” he said.

How important is DUPR to players competing in these events?

For many participants, the ability to have results recorded in DUPR is a major motivator.

“A lot of players really want their match results uploaded,” Shiv said.

Improving their rating adds another competitive layer to each event.

That said, not everyone is focused on numbers.

“For some players, just competing in a team event with their friends is motivation enough.”

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What have been the biggest challenges launching The Dink Minor League Pickleball in England?

The biggest challenge isn’t player demand.

It’s finding courts.

Most UK events take place in sports centers or schools, where organizers convert badminton courts by setting up pickleball nets and marking temporary kitchen lines.

Those venues often have limited availability, particularly on weekends.

However, dedicated pickleball facilities are beginning to appear.

New venues like Courtside Pickleball in Stourbridge and Dinks Pickleball Clubs in Chandlers Ford are already hosting Minor League events and providing a more professional playing environment.

One thing organizers have completely ruled out?

Outdoor tournaments.

“This is the UK,” Shiv said. “We’re not planning any outdoor pickleball events.”

Learn more about The Dink Minor League Pickleball here.

What does the future look like for The Dink Minor League Pickleball in the UK?

The next phase is focused entirely on growth.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, organizers plan to:

• Expand events to more regions across the UK
• Increase the number of divisions
• Introduce a 50+ age category
• Run more events each month
• Attract sponsors to support our growth

They also hope the format spreads across more European countries, creating opportunities for international competition between teams.

Could we see UK teams competing at the National Championships this year?

That’s certainly the hope.

Wildcard spots will be available for international teams to compete at The Dink Minor League Pickleball Nationals in the U.S., giving UK teams the opportunity to experience one of the biggest amateur pickleball events in the world.

For a format that didn’t exist in England just a year ago, it would be a remarkable step.

But given the momentum so far, it’s no longer a long shot.