Team-based pickleball.
Community-driven.
Nationally connected.

The American Team Pickleball League (ATPL) is a 501(c)3 national organization connecting locally operated team-based pickleball leagues under a common competitive format, rating system, and pathway to the ATPL National Championships.

ATPL is built around teams rather than individual players or fixed doubles partners. Players compete together over a league season, meet and play against other teams and players, and can advance from local competition to a national championship experience.

ATPL is primarily a league organization. Local leagues provide regular-season team competition, with qualifying teams having an opportunity to advance to the ATPL National Championships.

Generally, no. ATPL affiliates operate and manage their own local leagues while using the ATPL format, standards, rating methodology, and league-management platform.

Yes. ATPL is actively expanding into new markets and can work with individuals, clubs, facilities, or organizations interested in establishing team-based league play.

No. You can start a new league using the ATPL QuickStart approach, or an established league can become an ATPL affiliate.

You don’t need a huge league to begin. A successful ATPL league can start with a manageable number of teams and divisions and grow as players become familiar with the format.

No. An ATPL league can work with public facilities, private clubs, HOA/community courts, indoor facilities, or a combination of venues.

ATPL provides a proven team-play format, organizational guidance, league management technology through Rally’s Pickleballscores platform, national branding and affiliation, and a pathway for qualifying teams to compete at the National Championships.

ATPL helps new affiliates through the startup process with a proven league format, Rally Pickleballscores technology, league rules and operating materials, and guidance from experienced league leaders. ATPL can also assist with decisions about divisions, team formation, registration, scheduling, and other practical steps needed to get the first season underway. The goal is to provide a proven framework while allowing the local affiliate to build a league that fits its market.

That depends on the market, court availability, and existing player base. ATPL can help organizers move from initial planning through team recruitment, registration, scheduling, and launch.

Yes. Existing leagues can become ATPL affiliates while retaining their local identity and management.

Not necessarily. Affiliate leagues can maintain their own local or regional identity while identifying themselves as an ATPL affiliate.

Yes. A common team format is important so players and teams have a consistent, competitive, and enjoyable league experience. The ATPL format is designed to keep all three doubles pairs involved and contributing to the team result, while providing a fun and engaging style of competition that can carry seamlessly from local league play to the ATPL National Championships.

Affiliation connects a local league to a growing national network, provides a proven operating model and technology platform, and gives qualifying teams a clear pathway to compete against teams from other ATPL leagues at the National Championships.

Yes. Affiliate leagues retain substantial control over local operations while following the ATPL standards necessary to maintain consistency across the national organization.

Yes. ATPL has an annual affiliate fee based on the size of the league. Specific information is available from ATPL during the affiliation process.

Instead of entering as an individual or a single doubles pair, players belong to a team, with rosters typically consisting of 10 to 14 players. Six players compete in each team match as three doubles pairs. They play 3 rounds of two games each, and every pair contributes to the team’s overall result.

Six players dress as three doubles pairs and play 3 rounds of two games each. Two games to 11 (win by 2). Win a game, take 2 points. Score 6 or more, take 1. Highest team total wins the match.

Most team matches are designed to provide approximately a two- to three-hour league experience rather than an all-day tournament commitment.

Leagues can offer divisions based on age, gender, and skill level according to local demand and ATPL standards.

ATPL is designed for recreational through highly competitive amateur players, with skill-level divisions helping teams compete against players of comparable ability. Leagues may begin with the skill divisions that best fit their local player base and add divisions as participation grows. Typically, ATPL leagues may offer 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5/5.0 divisions.

ATPL affiliates use the Rally Pickleballscores rating to help establish and maintain competitive skill levels. Players without an established rating initially self-rate based on their playing experience and other relevant information, which may include ratings from other recognized sources and the skill levels of players they regularly compete with.

ATPL team rosters typically consist of 10 to 14 players. Six players compete in each team match, with the larger roster providing flexibility for player availability, scheduling conflicts, injuries, and lineup decisions.

No. Captains determine their match-day lineup from eligible players on their roster.

Not always. Local leagues may help interested players connect with captains or teams looking for additional players.

Absolutely. One of the attractions of team pickleball is putting together a group of friends or fellow players and competing together throughout a season.

Captains organize their roster, communicate with players, manage match-day lineups, coordinate with opposing captains, and help ensure scores and other league information are properly reported.

Rally is the platform and app that runs the league. Affiliate leagues use it for registration, scheduling, rosters, standings, score reporting, and player management, and for the Rally rating that helps players and teams compete at a more comparable skill level.

Yes. ATPL and its partners provide resources and guidance to help new league administrators get their league established and operating successfully.

The local affiliate manages its season and facilities, with the league-management platform and ATPL operating model helping simplify the process.

Qualification is earned through participation and results in an ATPL-affiliated league, according to ATPL qualification standards.

No, but affiliates are expected to actively promote the opportunity, and qualifying teams are encouraged to represent their league and compete against teams from across the country.

They give local league play a larger purpose—a season can lead to the opportunity to meet and compete against teams and players from other ATPL leagues around the country.

ATPL National Championships are currently held annually at a selected destination and venue capable of providing a high-quality national team competition experience. Championship locations may vary from year to year. As ATPL continues to grow into more states and adds teams and divisions, the number and frequency of National Championship events will also expand.

That’s fine. ATPL’s philosophy is to build it, prove it, and grow it. A well-run first season with a few divisions can provide the foundation for substantial future growth.

Yes. ATPL can provide experience, materials, branding, and proven approaches developed through successful team-based leagues.

Yes. Facilities can be excellent partners or league operators because team leagues create recurring scheduled play and introduce players to a facility over an entire season.

Potentially, yes. ATPL is organized around viable local and regional markets rather than assuming that one league must serve an entire state.

Contact ATPL through ATPL Nation to discuss your market, existing player base, facilities, and the best way to get started.