The Columbus Sliders won the Major League Pickleball (MLP) championship after defeating the New Jersey 5s in a thrilling final in New York City. The match, held at CityPickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park, was sold out and set a new milestone as the second-most watched professional pickleball broadcast of all time, averaging 433,000 viewers on CBS, according to Nielsen.
A Record-Breaking Season
The finals capped off the 2025 MLP season, which featured 10 regular season events, a Mid-Season Tournament, and two playoff rounds from April through August.
MLP reported significant growth compared to last year. Sponsor revenue more than doubled, ticket revenue rose by 28 percent, social media impressions climbed by 277 percent, YouTube views increased by 156 percent, total minutes watched on PickleballTV went up 105 percent, and telecast hours grew by 83 percent across national and regional TV.
Sliders Stun the Competition
Seeded fifth, the Columbus Sliders shocked the top-seeded St. Louis Shock in the semifinals. The Shock had selected the Sliders as their opponent to avoid facing the Ben Johns-led LA Mad Drops. That decision backfired when the Sliders dominated, winning the first match 3-0 and the second 2-1, sending the Shock out of the tournament.
Parris Todd led the way in Women’s Doubles, while CJ Klinger delivered in Men’s Doubles, giving the Sliders the momentum they needed.
Championship Showdown
The final against the New Jersey 5s was tightly contested, requiring all three matches to determine the winner. Anna Leigh Waters carried the 5s to victory in the first match, but the Sliders struck back. Andrei Daescu and Parris Todd won the second match, keeping their team alive by defeating Waters and Will Howells.
Todd and Daescu then delivered again in the deciding round, closing the title with an 11-6 win in the fourth game of match two, securing the championship for the Sliders.
What It Means for MLP
The Columbus Sliders’ victory highlighted a season filled with drama and growth, while the finals proved pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity. With record-breaking viewership, sold-out crowds, and major gains in fan engagement, Major League Pickleball solidified its place as one of the fastest-growing professional sports leagues in the U.S.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Finals
The Columbus Sliders defeated the New Jersey 5s to win the Major League Pickleball championship in New York City. The finals drew a record 433,000 CBS viewers and capped a season of major growth for the league. Rising attendance, sponsorships, and broadcast reach showed pickleball’s growing popularity nationwide.
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