Pickleball powered by USTA New England

Tennis and pickleball have experienced a recent boom in popularity! For the third straight year, tennis has increased in popularity nationwide! Almost 24 million people are estimated to have played tennis in 2023 -- one million of which came from New England, which hit the prestigious threshold for the first time. With that, the growth of racquet sports as an industry is also on the rise, headlined by pickleball. 

We have started offering pickleball programs in a few towns in New England. and are continuing to explore and pilot further opportunities in pickleball.

If you or your organization are interested in exploring a partnership with us to run pickleball in your local area, please contact our Racquet Sports Assistant, Jeanne Ackerley, at ackerley@newengland.usta.com.

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Current play opportunities are below. We are looking to expand where the demand is high.

National Team Pickleball League (NTPL)

In January of 2023, USTA New England and many other USTA divisions formed to create a national platform for team play.  Because of the popularity and increased membership, the National Team Pickleball League (NTPL) was formed. USTA New England in collaboration with National Team Pickleball League (NTPL) have developed a league for the more competitive player. Team UP to COMPETE with NTPL where competitive spirit and teamwork converge on the courts. Whether it’s men’s and women’s doubles, or mixed doubles, this league is your path to camaraderie, passion and victory. 

Winning the local level in New England offers teams the chance to advance to the National Championships held each fall. For more information on the format and rules, please visit www.ntpl.org.

USTA New England is hosting a NTPL qualifying league in Massachusetts. The current divisions offered are combination teams 18+ 3.5 or 50+ 4.0. Combination teams consist of at least 3 men and 3 women for single gender and mixed doubles rounds.  

These teams will play at your neighboring Massachusetts indoor clubs from January 2025 to June 2025.  You will alternate playing “home” and “away” each week. Travel is no more than 45 minutes club to club and is played on Sunday mornings. Confirmed host clubs are Boston Pickleball Club, Clock Tower Pickleball, Longfellow Wellesley, LTP Pickleball, Rt. 112 Pickle, and Wimbledon Tennis & Pickleball Club.

Captains register their team here on ServeTennis. All players will create a free USTA account, pay a one-time $30 league fee and then pay court fees upon arrival for their match.  Cost per player per match is $24. Captains will keep score on pickleballscores.com. Each win for the player earns points for their team. Play continues in a play-off event mid-summer and an invitation to advance to the National Championships held each fall to represent Massachusetts.

New England Rules

Captain's Info Sheet 

Metrowest Pickleball Social Leagues

USTA New England is offering social league pickleball for the beginner and intermediate in your neighboring town. This is a very social, non-competitive program designed for the semi-beginner or intermediate player who is looking to meet people and play the game on a non-competitive platform. Seasons are typically 6 weeks and are played from Spring to Fall on a weekday night.  For more information, please contact your town listed below. If you are not a resident of any of these towns, it won’t matter. Most towns allow for a percentage of non-residents to participate.  

Leagues will start again in spring 2025, check back for registration links or reach out to Jeanne Ackerley, ackerley@newengland.usta.com with any questions.

DUPR Events

DUPR, the world’s most accurate pickleball rating system joins USTA New England NTPL as their sole rating system. Towns and clubs in your area frequently ask to run DUPR events. USTA New England partners with Park and Recreation Departments in your town to run one-day DUPR events for players interested in obtaining a rating or getting more match play towards their rating. Please contact Jeanne Ackerley, ackerley@newengland.usta.com for more information. 

These 3 hour round robin up and down the river formats allows first time users to establish an initial rating for their pickleball play. It is a casual, fun event where you are constantly switching up partners to experience all levels of play.  You will play between 6 and 8 games at each event. Join our USTA New England Digital DUPR Club here, USTA New England digital DUPR Club as all event matches will be entered here so players can begin to grow their game and their rating.

If you or your club are interested in a DUPR event, please contact Jeanne Ackerley at ackerley@newengland.usta.com.

Statement of Guidance on Pickleball

As the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and in concert with court builders and park professionals, the USTA has put forth an expanded Statement of Guidance for the development, expansion, and renovation of public facilities and spaces related to tennis and pickleball. 

This guidance is presented within the context and understanding that – while tennis remains the most popular racquet sport in the United States – tennis and pickleball are currently experiencing significant participation increases throughout the country and demand for both tennis and pickleball courts is expanding exponentially. Click here for the Statement of Guidance.