Kitchen Blockers joins DUPR activation roster to promote eye safety

Kitchen Blockers announced a partnership with DUPR that places the lensless protective eyewear maker on DUPR’s activation roster for DUPR-affiliated events and tournaments. The collaboration promises player-facing education about eye safety and on-site access to Kitchen Blockers products at events ranging from recreational meetups to elite competitions.

The announcement, made January 8, 2026, frames the move as an industry step aimed at improving player safety while supporting competitive integrity across DUPR events. Kitchen Blockers produces lensless protective eyewear designed for pickleball; DUPR operates the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating used by organizers and players to seed draws and track competitive progress. Together they plan to use event activations to reach players directly where the sport is played.

For players and tournament directors that means practical, on-the-ground benefits. Expect to see education stations and product booths at DUPR-affiliated tournaments where players can learn about eye risks on court and try or obtain Kitchen Blockers gear. Organizers running DUPR-rated events can incorporate these activations into event layouts to offer attendees an added layer of player safety without altering play rules or rating procedures.

The partnership also signals an emerging norm: equipment and safety vendors working alongside rating bodies to deliver consistent outreach across tournament tiers. That connection matters because DUPR-affiliated events attract a mix of newcomers and high-level competitors; consistent messaging at those events can raise awareness quickly and make protective eyewear part of regular pre-game prep for more players.

Community players should watch upcoming DUPR event listings to see which tournaments include Kitchen Blockers activations. Event producers with DUPR affiliation can coordinate logistics to host demonstrations or display inventory, making it easier for attendees to access protective gear without an extra trip to a retail outlet.

The rollout prioritizes accessibility and education rather than rule changes, so players won’t see equipment mandates at DUPR events as a direct result of this partnership. Instead, the emphasis is on outreach and availability that nudges the community toward safer habits while preserving the competitive structure that DUPR supports.

Our two cents? Swing by the activation booth at your next DUPR event, try the lensless fit on for comfort, and add eye safety to your warmup checklist. Protecting the kitchen is about more than court position—protect your eyes while you're at it.