FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — February 13, 2025 — The world of pickleball is set for a major transformation in South Florida as The Fort announces its official designation as the region’s DUPR Assessment Center. Known as the "Augusta of Pickleball" and the "Wimbledon of Pickleball," The Fort has quickly become one of the sport’s most prestigious and exciting venues. This landmark partnership with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) — the world’s most accurate global rating system — and DUPR Coach will redefine how players of all levels are rated, compete, and improve their game.

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The Fort, located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, is more than just a pickleball facility; it’s an experience. Featuring 43 professional regulation courts, 14 weatherproof, including the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium, The Fort has quickly become a world-class destination. With cutting-edge technologies like FORTv, powered by Playsight for live-streaming matches, instant replays, and coaching analysis, the facility offers a unique, dynamic experience. Its proprietary engine will allow viewers to access and sort content by skill level, age, and type of play, providing the flexibility to watch both live and previous matches. This innovative approach is setting a new standard in the sport.

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But the excitement doesn’t stop at the courts. The Fort offers a unique blend of competitive play, social atmosphere, and South Florida lifestyle. Guests can enjoy made-from-scratch culinary delights at the Lakeside Kitchen and Bar, sip crafted beverages with friends, or dive into other amenities like golf simulators, a dart room, volleyball, beach tennis, paddleboarding, and even an onsite PT Center. Whether you’re at The Fort  to challenge your limits or simply soak in the vibe, The Fort delivers the perfect mix of social and athletic experiences. As a member, guest, or even a walk-in, you'll enjoy exclusive access to priority bookings, special events, and personalized opportunities to improve your game, ensuring the best possible experience.

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As part of this groundbreaking partnership, The Fort becomes the official venue in South Florida to offer DUPR Coach-Assigned Ratings at scale, available to all members, guests, and walk-ins. Every coach at The Fort will be a credentialed DUPR Coach, equipped to provide players with accurate, professional assessments of their skill level. With this official designation, The Fort will host DUPR Rating Sessions, allowing players to earn their DUPR ratings, find balanced, level-appropriate matches, and support beginners on their journey toward competitive league and tournament play.

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Additionally, PlaySight’s integration with DUPR and DUPR Coach elevates pickleball assessments, coaching, and player development to new heights. DUPR Coaches at The Fort will leverage this cutting-edge technology to rate players both in-person during DUPR Assessment Sessions and virtually through PlaySight’s cameras, ensuring an enhanced and more precise assessment experience.

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Kicking off its inaugural event on March 8, 2025, The Fort will officially launch its DUPR programming, with an even larger event to follow on March 21, 2025. These events will feature DUPR Rating Sessions, DUPR Open Play, a comprehensive schedule of player development clinics—all led by credentialed DUPR coaches—along with incredible vibes at the world’s premier pickleball destination. Be part of the inaugural event on March 8—sign up here, visit the PlayTheFort app for more details, and get ready for a game-changing experience!

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Becoming a member of The Fort means gaining exclusive access to everything this game-changing venue has to offer. As a member, you’ll enjoy priority booking for court time, leagues, lessons, events, early invitations to special events, and special perks across The Fort's world-class amenities. The Fort’s commitment to fostering a strong pickleball community ensures members will experience unparalleled opportunities to grow their game through structured programs and access to top-tier coaches. Plus, enjoy social gatherings, live music, and special events as part of the full South Florida lifestyle.

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“We are beyond excited to partner with The Fort as the official DUPR Assessment Center in South Florida,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “The Fort is setting a new standard in pickleball, combining world-class facilities with a player-first approach that aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the sport. By integrating DUPR Coach-Assigned Ratings and comprehensive programming, The Fort is not just enhancing how players are rated—it’s revolutionizing how they compete, improve, and grow, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for all levels of players.”

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This partnership represents a pivotal moment in the rapidly expanding pickleball community of South Florida. With the area already being a hotspot for sports and tourism, The Fort adds a powerful new layer of opportunity for players at all levels to engage, improve, and thrive. By offering DUPR Coach-Assigned ratings, players will have access to a more personalized and precise understanding of their skill level, making it easier to join games that are perfectly suited to their abilities.

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“We’re incredibly excited to partner with DUPR and DUPR Coach to bring DUPR’s advanced player rating system to South Florida,” said Brad Tuckman, CEO of The Fort. “This isn’t just about providing top-notch facilities—it’s about fostering a community of players who can challenge and support each other. We understand the importance of ensuring that everyone enjoys the game at their own skill level, which is key to having the best experience at The Fort. Whether you’re here for fun social play or motivated to drive your DUPR rating higher with competitive play—who knows, maybe even become a pro one day—we’re strong supporters of all types of players. By becoming an official DUPR Assessment Center in South Florida, we’re giving players a pathway to success and a platform for their growth. This partnership helps create a space where players can measure their progress, refine their skills, and truly feel a sense of accomplishment in their pickleball journey. Whether it's fun or competitive, The Fort is the go-to place for all.”

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“As the official DUPR Assessment Center in South Florida, The Fort is not only enhancing the pickleball experience but also driving economic growth in the region. By offering the opportunity to receive a DUPR Coach-Assigned Rating and participate in DUPR programming, The Fort is fostering a dynamic and thriving pickleball community. This designation will attract both local and international visitors, boost tourism, and further solidify South Florida's reputation as a premier destination for world-class sports and recreation. The combination of this prestigious facility with DUPR ratings will leave a lasting impact on both the local economy and the sport’s evolution,” said Katie Nimitz, President of MyJourney Pickleball.

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About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale.

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DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

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About DUPR Coach

DUPR Coach is a program designed to empower pickleball coaches to launch DUPR Coach-Assigned ratings for the 34 million non-rated players worldwide. Powered by MyJourney Pickleball, DUPR Coach helps coaches provide valuable insights into players' skill levels and supports the growth of pickleball through more competitive, enjoyable play. Coaches interested in becoming DUPR Coaches can visit duprcoach.com/coach-cert to sign up and learn more.

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About The Fort

The Fort is South Florida’s premier pickleball destination, featuring 43 state-of-the-art courts and the world’s first pickleball stadium. Designed for players of all levels, The Fort offers the perfect setting for social and competitive play, professional instruction, and corporate events. With a focus on high-energy experiences and inclusive programming, The Fort is redefining the way people engage with the fastest-growing sport in America.

To become a member, learn more about DUPR programming, explore The Fort’s amenities, and register for upcoming events, visit playthefort.com.