2025 MLP Premier Level Playoffs: Major League Pickleball (MLP) has unveiled key updates for the 2025 playoff structure, which includes exciting changes for the Premier Level teams. The revised format will feature new seeding and match rules designed to create more strategic decisions and enhance the excitement for players and fans.
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Playoff Structure for Premier Level Teams
In the 2025 playoffs, the top 10 Premier Level teams will qualify for the post-season and be seeded from 1 to 10. These teams will compete in multiple rounds, with adjustments to the rules to ensure a highly competitive experience. Here’s a breakdown of the updated playoff format:
Round 1 – San Diego (August 15)
In the first round, a single elimination match will determine which teams advance. The 7th seed will have the power to choose their opponent from either the 9th or 10th seed.
Additionally, the 7th seed will have the advantage of making all four coin toss selections, including deciding the side, serve or return, which gender doubles goes first, and how to react in mixed doubles. They will also get to decide the reaction in the Dreambreaker.
The 8th seed, playing against the team that the 7th seed does not choose, will enjoy the same advantages. The two teams that advance from Round 1 will be reseeded as the 7th and 8th seeds, according to their regular season standings.
Round 2 – San Diego (August 16-17)
In the second round, the top six seeds, along with the two winners from Round 1, will compete in a best two-out-of-three match series. The 1st seed will have the power to select their opponent from the 5th to 8th seeds.
The 1st seed also gets all four coin toss options and can react in the Dreambreaker for the first two matches. If a series extends to a third match, normal coin toss rules will apply.
Semi-Finals and Finals – New York (August 22-24)
The semi-finals, held in New York, will follow the same format as the 2024 playoffs. The top seed will choose their opponent from the two lowest remaining seeds, and they will again get all four coin toss options and the ability to react in the Dreambreaker for the first two matches. If the series reaches a third match, standard coin toss rules will apply.
The finals, also held in New York, will feature the same rules, where the best seed will enjoy the coin toss advantages for the first two matches. If a third match is required, regular coin toss rules will determine the outcome.
Impact and Expectations
These updates to the 2025 Major League Pickleball playoffs promise to make for a thrilling season. The ability for higher-seeded teams to strategically choose their opponents adds complexity to the competition, and the introduction of varied coin toss options and reactions in the Dreambreaker enhances the strategic depth of the matches.
Fans can expect an intense and unpredictable tournament with plenty of drama on indoor and outdoor pickleball courts as the best teams battle for the championship.
News in Brief: 2025 MLP Premier Level Playoffs
Major League Pickleball announced exciting updates to the 2025 playoff format. The new structure allows higher-seeded teams to choose their opponents and adds strategic advantages during matches. With Round 1 in San Diego and the semi-finals and finals in New York, the updated format aims to deliver a thrilling postseason.
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