The 2026 season draft of Major League Pickleball has officially wrapped up, setting the stage for an intriguing season in the rapidly growing sport.
Across the league’s 20 franchises, teams completed their six-player rosters – three men and three women – by selecting 28 starters and 38 substitutes.
The draft produced dramatic bidding battles, surprising price tags, and a few shocking decisions that could shape the championship race in 2026. From a record-breaking top pick to strategic gambles and debated selections, here are the top five picks from the 2026 MLP Draft.
1. Anna Bright – St. Louis Shock – $1.23m
Anna Bright was the first pick of the draft. And the process was intense, with a three-way race developing between the Columbus Sliders, New Jersey 5s, and the St. Louis Shock around the $500k mark.
But the bidding did not end there. Both the New Jersey 5s and St. Louis Shock continued to raise the stakes, pushing the bids beyond the $1 million mark. In the end, the New Jersey 5s stepped away, calculating that securing the No. 2 pick at a lower cost might offer similar value if they missed out on Bright.
2. Jorja Johnson – New Jersey 5s – $800k
Dallas Flash made a serious attempt to bring Jorja Johnson back on its roster, but they ultimately could not match the financial muscle of the New Jersey 5s, who went all out to secure the star pickler.
Dallas fought hard in the bidding war and pushed the price up to $755k, but their resolve faded when the New Jersey 5s jumped the bid to $800k after already showing a willingness to reach the $1 million mark.
Dallas, who had released Johnson earlier, were red-faced after the New Jersey 5s won the bidding war for Johnson. The franchise appears to have got it wrong, and that decision may have severely damaged their chances of competing for the 2026 championship – unless a major trade changes their fortunes.
3. Danni-Elle Townsend – Columbus Sliders – $180k
Danni-Elle Townsend was expected to attract the attention of MLP franchises following her stellar performances across MLP Asia and Australian tournaments, showcasing significant potential.
Hence, Columbus went after her and secured a deal. However, questions remain about whether her current level surpasses experienced players such as Lea Jansen and Meghan Dizon.
This selection could prove to be more about long-term development for 2027 and 2028, yet Columbus is considered a team built to win immediately. For that reason, keeping Jansen might have been the safer option rather than taking a gamble on potential.
4. Lea Jansen – Texas Ranchers – $105k
After securing elite men’s players Federico Staksrud and Pablo Tellez, the Texas Ranchers were looking for a strong female player to strike a balance in their squad. Getting Lea Jansen on board helped them achieve that.
Jansen’s proven ability made her a valuable addition, and the franchise decided that her on-court talent outweighed any potential concerns surrounding personality or team dynamics.
5. Ting Chieh Wei – Chicago Slice – $75k
Ting Chieh Wei has improved her game over the years, and her development has caught the attention of several teams. The Chicago Slice made a prudent decision by signing the player.