Major League Pickleball Austin Classic: Major League Pickleball (MLP) will make its third stop of the 2025 season in Austin, Texas, from May 23-26, during Memorial Day weekend. This event will feature both new and returning teams and is expected to be one of MLP’s largest events yet.
Austin has been a hub for pickleball, with the first-ever MLP event held in nearby Dripping Springs. The 2025 event will see all six Challenger Level teams make their season debuts. These teams include Nashville, California, Bay Area, D.C., Florida, and Las Vegas. Additionally, five Premier Level teams—Dallas, Miami, New Jersey, Texas, and Orlando—will also compete. The Nashville Chefs, formerly the Frisco Pandas, will also be participating for the first time this season.
This year, MLP is adding amateur brackets to some of its events, including the Austin Classic. This amateur event will feature both singles and doubles competitions, using the same formats as PPA Tour tournaments. The Austin Classic has already been filling up quickly, showing high demand for amateur participation.
Challenger Level Teams Competing in Austin
The Challenger Level teams will open their season in Austin, with limited rosters of four players per team. Here are the teams and their rosters:
| Team | Team DUPR | Player | Doubles DUPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Breakers | 22.34 | Eric Roddy | 6.15 |
| Bay Area Breakers | 22.34 | Darrian Young | 6.31 |
| Bay Area Breakers | 22.34 | Alix Truong | 5.73 |
| Bay Area Breakers | 22.34 | Danna Funaro | 5.27 |
| California Black Bears | 23.01 | Rafa Hewett | 6.45 |
| California Black Bears | 23.01 | Juan Benitez | 5.73 |
| California Black Bears | 23.01 | Lina Padegimaite | 5.67 |
| California Black Bears | 23.01 | Layne Sleeth | 5.37 |
| D.C. Pickleball Team | 23.63 | Stefan Auvergne | 6.30 |
| D.C. Pickleball Team | 23.63 | Daniel De La Rosa | 6.50 |
| D.C. Pickleball Team | 23.63 | Andrea Koop | 5.60 |
| D.C. Pickleball Team | 23.63 | Mari Humberg | 5.95 |
| Florida Smash | 22.98 | Travis Rettenmaier | 6.56 |
| Florida Smash | 22.98 | Cason Campbell | 5.50 |
| Florida Smash | 22.98 | Martina Frantova | 5.54 |
| Florida Smash | 22.98 | Sarah Ansboury | 5.38 |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | 23.67 | Pablo Tellez | 6.61 |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | 23.67 | James Delgado | 6.06 |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | 23.67 | Brooke Buckner | 5.87 |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | 23.67 | Chao Yi Wang | 5.75 |
| Nashville Chefs | 23.69 | Marshall Brown | 6.19 |
| Nashville Chefs | 23.69 | Anderson Scarpa | 6.35 |
| Nashville Chefs | 23.69 | Ewa Radzikowska | 6.00 |
| Nashville Chefs | 23.69 | Michelle Esquivel | 5.66 |
Growing Popularity of Pickleball in Austin
Pickleball continues to rise in popularity in Austin, and the event is expected to attract significant crowds. The competition between Challenger and Premier Level teams, along with the amateur event, highlights the sport’s increasing accessibility for all levels of players. With new teams and an expanding fanbase, the event promises to be one of the biggest pickleball tournaments in Austin’s history.
Significance of MLP Austin
MLP Austin represents a crucial milestone for the league, as it continues to grow its influence in the pickleball world. The inclusion of amateur competitions further broadens its appeal, allowing fans to connect with the sport on multiple levels. With Austin being a major pickleball hotspot, the event will not only boost the popularity of the sport but also provide a platform for emerging players to showcase their talent.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Austin Classic
Major League Pickleball returns to Austin for Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26, 2025). Six Challenger Level teams and five Premier Level teams will compete. The event also features an amateur bracket. The growing popularity of pickleball in Austin will make this one of MLP’s biggest events yet.
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