MiLP China Championship Set for December, With Winners Flown to America on DUPR’s Dime
Winning a national title is nice. Winning a trip to the United States to take on the world is something else. DUPR has announced that it will cover round-trip travel for the champion teams of the 2026 Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) China Championship, sending them to compete at the global championships in February 2027.
The MiLP Tournament: Shenzhen, 4–6 December
The qualifying event takes place from 4 to 6 December at Picklehead Oasis Club in Shenzhen. It brings together amateur teams competing within the MiLP structure, which uses player ratings to organise skill-based competition. Winning teams will advance to the 2027 MiLP Championships and Nations Cup.
There’s a good reason the event is being held in China. According to DUPR, the country has become MiLP’s largest market for events outside the United States.
The Big Prize: A Ticket to the World Stage
The headline incentive is DUPR’s travel sponsorship, which covers return travel between China and the United States. For amateur teams, that’s a big deal, since overseas travel is often the biggest obstacle between local players and international competition.
There’s a catch, though. Other expenses, including accommodation and visa fees, have not been confirmed as part of the arrangement, so teams may still have costs to plan for. Selected teams will go through the US visa application process between 7 December 2026 and 30 January 2027.
Where the Winners Are Headed
The destination is the 2027 MiLP Championships, held from 24 to 28 February at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona. The event is expected to draw teams from more than 30 countries and will feature:
- Traditional MiLP divisions
- Competitions for players aged 50 and older
- MiLP V3
- The debut of the MiLP Nations Cup
The Nations Cup is the new addition, introducing country-based competition through mixed-gender teams grouped according to DUPR ratings. And unlike the individual-focused pro tournaments we follow, MiLP is built around a four-player team format, with gender-balanced doubles matches.
A Pathway for Chinese Amateurs
The initiative links domestic amateur competition with international championship opportunities as MiLP continues to expand across Asia. For Chinese teams, the sponsorship offers both financial help and the experience of facing players from other countries.
Cesar Clemente, DUPR’s Vice President of Revenue, said the organisation aims to make competitive pickleball more accessible by connecting local competitions with the global game.
For the teams heading to Shenzhen, then, the stakes just went up. It’s no longer only about a title, but about a chance to see Arizona in February.
