The Major League Pickleball (MLP) is gearing up for its highly anticipated Mid-Season Tournament, scheduled to take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from July 8 to 12. This event will be crucial for teams as they vie for standings points that could significantly influence playoff positions.
The MLP Championship is set for August 28-30 in New York.
Tournament Format
Format
All 20 franchises in the league will participate in the Mid-Season Tournament, along with four invited teams: Team Australia, Team Canada, Team Europe, and the Collegiate All-Stars. Teams that lose their opening matches will drop to the consolation bracket, where the winner will claim third place. The champion will receive six standings points, while the runners-up will earn four, and the third-placed team will get two.
The tournament kicks off on July 8 with the 16 lowest-seeded teams. The top eight seeds, including the New Jersey 5s, St. Louis Shock, and LA Mad Drops, will receive first-round byes and will join the competition on July 9 against the winners from the opening day. The championship match is slated for July 12.
First Round Expectations
What to expect in 1st Round
While major upsets are not anticipated in the opening round, the four invited teams will be eager to showcase their skills. One match to watch is the California Black Bears versus the Miami Pickleball Club. Miami’s revamped men’s lineup, featuring Dylan Frazier, Yuta Funemizu, and Zane Ford, is expected to perform well, with Frazier likely to be a key player in leading Miami to victory over California.
Another intriguing matchup will see Florida Smash take on Bay Area Breakers. Florida’s women’s team, led by Zoey Weil, Martina Frantova, and Paula Rives, has exceeded expectations this season, while Bay Area is anticipated to have an advantage on the men’s side, creating a compelling contrast in strengths.
Second Round Insights
What to expect in 2nd Round
In the second round, the seeded teams will enter the fray. The Palm Beach Royals may face a significant challenge against Orlando Squeeze, who boast players like Federico Staksrud and Jack Sock, potentially pushing the match into a DreamBreaker. This is particularly relevant given the Palm Beach Royals’ men’s team struggles with injuries, despite strong performances from Tina Pisnik and Sofia Sewing.
Knockout Stage
Knockouts
The competition will heat up in the quarterfinals, with anticipated matchups including the New Jersey 5s, currently leading the MLP 2026 standings, against Dallas Flash, and Brooklyn facing Columbus. St. Louis Shock, ranked second, may encounter a tough challenge from Texas Ranchers, who previously defeated New Jersey 5s in a surprising upset at MLP New York. The tournament is expected to culminate in an exciting final between the pre-season favorites, New Jersey 5s, and St. Louis Shock, as their rivalry intensifies.