The Pickleball Collegiate National Championship (CNC) is here, and it’s set to electrify Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 11-13. With 64 top-tier university teams, over $30,000 in scholarship money on the line, and a new 32-team bracket for second squads, this tournament isn’t just the biggest collegiate pickleball event of the year—it’s a glimpse into the sport’s future. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a curious newbie, or a player dreaming of the court, here’s your all-access preview to the action, the stakes, and the stars ready to shine.
The Pickleball Collegiate National Championship Stage Is Set: What’s New?
Hosted at Life Time Peachtree Corners—one of the nation’s premier pickleball venues—the 2025 CNC builds on last year’s record-breaking event. The United Pickleball Association (UPA) and Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) have partnered to launch the Collegiate Pickleball Tour, a game-changer with over 35 events and $100,000 in scholarships this season. This weekend’s championship, running April 11-13, features the 64-team main bracket (1st Team Bracket), a new 32-team 2nd Team Bracket for schools without a bid or second squads, and a Challenger Bracket for individual players. Rally scoring—games to 21, win by 2, win on serve—keeps the pace relentless, ensuring every match is a battle.
The schedule is packed: Friday kicks off with group play across all brackets, Saturday brings the elimination rounds (Round of 64 down to 8 for the 1st Team Bracket), and Sunday delivers the semifinals, finals, and consolation matches. With 19 dedicated courts and temporary conversions, Peachtree Corners is ready to host over 500 players from across the U.S., making this the largest collegiate pickleball event yet.
Pickleball Collegiate National Championship – Pre-Event Rankings
Pickleball Collegiate National Championship: The Stakes – More Than Just a Trophy
Beyond bragging rights, the CNC offers serious rewards. The $30,000 scholarship pool is a major draw, but the real prize is a guaranteed bid to next year’s championship for top teams. The 1st Team Bracket qualifiers earned their spots through 2024 CNC results, Super Regionals, Campus Regionals, Dual Matches, or wildcard bids, ensuring only the best are here. The 2nd Team Bracket, a new addition, gives rising programs and second squads—like the University of Florida’s team with a DUPR of 19.325—a shot at glory.
For players, the Pickleball Collegiate National Championship is the stage to shine. All-America honors (1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams) will be awarded for the first time, split by East and West regions, giving elite athletes national recognition. With brands like Six Zero Pickleball sponsoring teams for travel and gear, the stakes feel pro-level—because these collegians are tomorrow’s pros.
Teams to Watch: Powerhouses and Underdogs
Pickleball Collegiate National Championship Favorites
- Utah Tech: Fresh off their 2024 DUPR Collegiate National Championship win, Utah Tech is a force. Their youth-driven squad dominated Dallas last year, and they return with momentum after a strong Super Regional showing. Expect their balanced roster to excel in the MLP-style format: women’s doubles, men’s doubles, two mixed doubles, and a Dreambreaker tiebreaker.
- University of Virginia (UVA): UVA brings back three players from their 2024 runner-up team, which fell to UNC-Chapel Hill in a thrilling Dreambreaker. A Super Regional victory in Virginia Beach has them primed for redemption. Their depth and net play make them a semifinal lock.
- University of Florida: The Gators’ second team boasts a DUPR of 19.325, a score that would rank them in the top 15 of first-team entrants. Their first team, led by players like journalism student Jake (a competitive UF team member), is a dark horse for the podium.
The Dark Horses
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU): FAU crushed their Super Regional without dropping a match, securing their Dallas bid last November. Their consistency and teamwork make them a sleeper threat.
- University of Texas at Austin: With ambidextrous star Jack Munro (DUPR 6.4/5.9), a 2024 APP gold medalist and Chicago Slice draftee, UT Austin has firepower. Munro’s absence from last year’s individual crowns opens the door, but his team play could spark a deep run.
Pickleball Collegiate National Championship – Players to Spotlight
- Alexandra McDonald (UVA): A national championship winner with UVA, McDonald (DUPR 5.1/5.0) is a multi-event threat. Also on UVA’s club tennis team, her cognitive science background fuels her on-court strategy. Watch for her in mixed doubles with Lauralei Singsank.
- Mehvish Safdar (Indiana University): A former top-20 tennis recruit at Minnesota, Safdar (DUPR 5.3/4.9) brings athletic pedigree and sports psychology expertise. She’s a podium contender across all events.
- Barry Evans (Bryant University): The America East Newcomer of the Year, Evans led Bryant to the 2025 NCAA tournament in basketball but shines in pickleball too. His power and precision could carry his squad far.
Tactical Breakdown: Winning Strategies
The Pickleball 2025 Collegiate National Championship’s MLP-style format demands versatility. Here’s how teams can dominate:
- Net Control: Teams like UVA thrive at the kitchen line, using dinks and volleys to force errors. A 2024 study showed 65% of sustained dink rallies end in opponent faults—expect top teams to lean on this.
- Mixed Doubles Mastery: With two mixed doubles matches per tie, chemistry is key. Look for pairs like McDonald and Singsank to exploit weaker links with cross-court drives.
- Dreambreaker Clutch: Ties go to a singles Dreambreaker, where players like Munro can shift momentum. A well-placed lob or sideline smash often seals these high-pressure moments.
The Bigger Picture: Pickleball Collegiate National Championship Meteoric Rise
The CNC isn’t just a tournament—it’s a milestone in pickleball’s collegiate explosion. Since DUPR’s first Intercollegiate National Championship in 2022, participation has soared, with 64 schools and 500 players in 2024 alone. The National Collegiate Pickleball Association (NCPA) hosted 38 schools at its 2024 championship, and their 2025 regional qualifiers drew over 250 players in San Diego. The APP’s 2025 U.S. Collegiate Championships in Cape Coral, Florida, featured 32 teams, further showcasing the sport’s growth.
Universities are investing heavily—many now boast on-campus courts, and sponsorships from brands like Six Zero are fueling team travel and gear. With the UPA-DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Tour offering over 35 events, the sport is becoming a legit pathway for young athletes, blending competition with scholarship opportunities.
Pickleball Collegiate National Championship: Why You Should Care
This weekend’s CNC is more than a championship—it’s a celebration of pickleball’s future. These college stars are the next Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, who, as of April 2025, are neck-and-neck at 151 and 148 gold medals, respectively, in their race to 200. The collegiate scene mirrors the pro circuit’s growth, with PPA Tour purses projected to hit $15-20 million by 2030. Today’s CNC players could be tomorrow’s million-dollar pros, and Atlanta is where their journey accelerates.
How to Follow the Pickleball Collegiate National Championship
Tune in to the Grandstand and Championship Courts via DUPR’s YouTube channel for live streams of the semifinals and finals on Sunday. Local NBC and CBS channels will air recordings post-event, and line cameras—debuted at DUPR’s Georgia Super Regional—ensure every call is spot-on. Spectators can attend for free at Life Time Peachtree Corners, just outside Atlanta, and soak in the electric atmosphere.
Prediction: Who Takes the Crown?
Utah Tech’s depth makes them the team to beat, but UVA’s hunger for redemption could spark an upset. Don’t sleep on FAU’s consistency or UT Austin’s star power with Munro. We’re calling it: UVA edges Utah Tech in a Dreambreaker thriller, with McDonald earning All-America honors.
Get ready—pickleball’s future stars are about to shine. Pickleball Collegiate National Championship – Who’re you rooting for?
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