This isn’t your average tournament. This is your proving ground. Your pressure test. Your long game.
Welcome to The 20th Cup—a federation-built competitive circuit for players who don’t just want to win games. They want to build something greater: a body of work. A reputation. A rhythm of rising.
This is pickleball played differently. And it’s different on purpose.
What Is The 20th Cup?
The 20th Cup is a year-round, level-based competition built around the belief that greatness isn’t born in one hot weekend—it’s earned over time. Every match is a receipt. Every result echoes.
Players compete across:
- Mixed Doubles
- Gender Doubles
- Singles
Each tournament has tiers. Each tier has points. You don’t just enter The 20th Cup—you build your case to climb.
Tier Structure – Six Levels and a Crown Jewel
| Level | Points/Event | Events/Year | Max Annual Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | 1 | 12 | 36 |
| Challenger | 1.5 | 12 | 54 |
| Series | 2 | 12 | 72 |
| Premier | 3 | 8 | 72 |
| Diamond | 4 | 8 | 96 |
| Platinum | 5 | 8 | 120 |
| The Social | 10 | 1 | 30 (bonus) |
Each player can enter up to 3 events per tournament. This isn’t about stacking wins in one division—it’s about proving range and consistency.
Promotion & Relegation – The Climb Is Earned
| Level | Promote If | Relegation Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Club → Challenger | 12 pts | – |
| Challenger → Series | 24 pts | <10 pts or 2 losses |
| Series → Premier | 36 pts | <18 pts or 2 losses |
| Premier → Diamond | 48 pts | <24 pts or 2 losses |
| Diamond → Platinum | 60 pts | <30 pts or 2 losses |
| Platinum | Invite Only | <36 pts or 2 losses |
This isn’t one-and-done. If you want to stay at a level, you have to hold it down.
Built-In Competitive Philosophy
This is a Tour, Not a Test
The 20th Cup is built for the long haul. It doesn’t reward hot streaks alone. It rewards rhythm, adaptation, and sustained effort. A slump won’t bury you unless you stop growing.
The 50% Rule
If you’re promoted by peer vote, you have three tournaments to prove it. Win half or more—or go back down. This keeps the standard tight and the pressure real.
Relegation Is Real—and Honest
Win your way up, drop two events in a row? You’re under review. It’s not cruel—it’s accountability. The game never stops moving.
The Committee & The Vote
Promotion by Points
If you hit the threshold, you move up.
Promotion by Peer Vote
Didn’t quite reach the point mark, but everyone knows you’re ready? Your peers can vote you up. The Chair Committee must also approve.
Vote-up Conditions:
- No more than 6 total losses in 3 tournament window
- Must achieve 50% win rate across next 3 events
Fall short, and you must re-qualify by points. Integrity is preserved, but growth is recognized.
A Living Federation: Community Mechanics
The Federation Hub
- Live ranking updates
- Legacy point tallies
- Discord or site-based communication
- Matchup tracking and scouting
- Training meetups and circles
Mentorship Model
Higher-tier players are encouraged to train with and mentor lower-tier competitors—making growth reciprocal and visible.
Gear, Sponsorships, and Culture
Earn Your Badge
Your tier comes with symbols:
- Challenger Patch – consistency
- Series Stripe – pattern mastery
- Premier Crest – Solid
- Diamond Chain – dominance
- Platinum Mark – elite presence
Access Benefits
- Higher-tier = early registration
- Custom merch options
- Sponsorship consideration
- Interviews and media highlights
Culture Over Clout
Players are rewarded not just for performance but for their presence, attitude, and role in elevating the sport. Style points matter—when they’re earned.
The Tiers, As Personalities
| Level | Identity |
|---|---|
| Club | The playground – get your reps. |
| Challenger | The fire-starters – test tools. |
| Series | The tacticians – find tempo. |
| Premier | The strategists – control flow. |
| Diamond | The architects – elite readers. |
| Platinum | The leaders – unshaken presence. |
The Social – The Crown Jewel
Every March, The Social closes the season.
- 10 points per event
- Invite-only
- Round robin into knockout
- Awards for style, grit, sportsmanship
You don’t get in by luck. You get in by body of work.
Forward Vision
- Wildcard brackets for surging rookies
- Match chemistry scores for doubles teams
- Federation Player Cards with stats and tier history
- Dynamic point scaling by difficulty
- Match grade ratings for overall player quality (0–100 scale)
- Quiz-based tier unlocks for Premier and Diamond
- Federation Almanac & yearly awards archive
- Highlight Vault for best rallies and moments
- Official Federation Lingo and lore (e.g., “Going Platinum,” “Hold the Rope”)
Final Thought
The 20th Cup is more than a series. It’s a proving ground built on rhythm, resilience, and the idea that pressure creates players. This is where your legacy begins—not in a final score, but in a season’s worth of becoming undeniable.
If you’re ready to be feared—step in.
Welcome to the Federation.
Welcome to The 20th Cup.
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