Unforgettable Inaugural Year

Written By Christopher Jaques

The 2025 season marked the inaugural year of Tobacco Road Pickleball—a year that exceeded every expectation and established TRP as one of the fastest-growing pickleball communities in the Triangle. What began as a simple idea to bring structured, competitive, community-centered pickleball to Durham and Chapel Hill quickly grew into a thriving multi-season league supported by hundreds of dedicated players and captains.

We launched with our Summer Kickoff Season, and from the very first match, it was clear that TRP was going to become something special.

Summer Season: The Kickoff

Our journey began with a strong, enthusiastic debut season:

  • 4 competitive divisions

  • 202 players

  • 20 teams

Designed as an experiment to gauge interest, the Summer Season filled quickly and instantly created momentum. Players of all experience levels—from developing 3.0 athletes to strong 4.0+ competitors—found teams, match play, and community. The foundation for TRP’s identity was built right here.

Fall Season: The Largest Season in TRP History

Following the success of summer, the Fall Season exploded in size and became the biggest session we’ve ever run:

  • 528 players

  • 50 teams

  • 68 incredible captains guiding teams, organizing lineups, and building culture

The Fall Season showcased the depth of talent across the Triangle and the power of the team-based format. With divisions centered around the 3.0–4.5 range, competition was balanced, fun, and fiercely engaging from start to finish.

A Community Built on Competition, Inclusion, and Growth

Throughout our inaugural year, players found more than just matches—they found community.

Tobacco Road Pickleball in 2025 delivered:

  • Meaningful playing opportunities for athletes of all levels

  • A clear pathway for competitive progression

  • A supportive environment for new players entering league play

  • A passionate captain group that helped define leadership and culture

By the end of the year, TRP had already become a staple of local pickleball life.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With Polar Pickle launching in January 2026 and continued expansion across all divisions, next year is poised to build on everything we started:

  • More teams

  • More divisions

  • More opportunities to play

  • More ways to stay engaged year-round

2025 was our inaugural year.
2026 will be our evolution.

Christopher Jaques
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2025 National Champions