Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Revamp: The 2025 season of Major League Pickleball (MLP) promises to bring a variety of exciting changes that will impact the competition and the fan experience. While the league’s new event formats and playoff expansions are generating much attention, several other key changes are worth noting. These updates reflect MLP’s continued commitment to enhancing the sport’s reach, improving team dynamics, and engaging its audience in fresh and innovative ways.
View this post on Instagram
Playoff Structure and Challenger League
For the 2025 season, 10 of the 16 premier teams will make the playoffs, ensuring that a greater number of teams have a shot at postseason glory. Meanwhile, all six challenger teams will automatically qualify for the playoffs.
This change significantly increases the number of teams vying for the championship, though it remains to be seen what incentives will be in place for the challenger teams. Originally, MLP planned for all teams to be in the premier league by 2026, but recent developments may push this goal to 2027.
MLP Cup: New Event Formats
The MLP Cup, traditionally a post-season exhibition, is expected to feature exciting new event formats in 2025. Potential changes include an “all-star game” and player-picked teams, both of which could provide an entertaining twist on traditional tournament formats. These changes aim to bring excitement and spectacle to the post-season.
Amateur Competitions to Boost Attendance
In an effort to enhance the atmosphere at MLP events, seven of the ten MLP events will also feature amateur pickleball competitions.
This will allow fans to participate in or watch matches across different skill levels, increasing attendance and making the events more engaging. By offering a mix of professional and amateur competitions, MLP hopes to create a more inclusive environment that appeals to a broader range of fans.
Season Opener in Orlando
The 2025 season will officially begin in Orlando, where all 16 premier teams will gather for the season opener. The Orlando Squeeze, as event hosts, are planning a grand kickoff celebration, making it a highlight for fans. This will set the tone for the rest of the season and draw significant attention to the league’s opening events.
Mid-Season Beer City Event
The Beer City event, scheduled to take place mid-season, will now be included in the regular season standings, adding more weight to the competition. This change means that teams will not only compete for prestige but also for crucial playoff positioning, making the event even more important for teams and fans alike.
Regular Season Schedule Release
The regular season schedule for all teams will be revealed next week, providing fans with details on the competition and the match dates. With these changes, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one full of excitement, unpredictability, and innovation.
Schedule Imbalance
Despite the updates, the premier league’s 25-match schedule spread over five events will still not follow a true “home-and-home” format. This means that each team will not play every other team twice.
Although this imbalance is expected to stir some disappointment among fans, adding one more event to the schedule could have solved the issue. Nevertheless, the unique format for 2025 will still lead to compelling matchups and unexpected results.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball’s 2025 Revamp
For the 2025 Major League Pickleball season, playoff structure changes will increase competition, and amateur pickleball events will be added to seven major tournaments. The season opener in Orlando will include all 16 premier teams, and the Beer City event will count towards regular season standings.
ALSO READ: 2025 Major League Pickleball: Teams Face Tough Decisions Ahead of Roster Cuts