Major League Pickleball Announces Exciting Updates for 2025 Season

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has unveiled significant changes and updates for the upcoming 2025 season, marking a new era for the rapidly growing sport. These developments, announced following recent owners meetings, promise to enhance the competitive landscape and viewer experience. Let’s dive into the key updates and what they mean for players, teams, and pickleball enthusiasts.

A New Era of Efficiency and Planning

In a remarkable display of improved organization, MLP has announced the 2025 competition structure a full 93 days before the season kickoff on April 24th. This is a stark contrast to the previous year when the 2024 structure was revealed just two days before the season started. This early announcement allows teams, players, and fans ample time to prepare for what promises to be an action-packed season.

Expanded Season and New Format

The 2025 MLP season, sponsored by Margaritaville, will feature an impressive 14 weeks of events, including:

Ten regular season events (April-August)
A mid-season tournament in July
Two playoff weekends in August
The MLP Cup in November

For the first time, all regular season events will be hosted in MLP team markets, bringing the excitement of professional pickleball closer to local fans. Each team will participate in five of the ten regular season events, playing a total of 25 matches throughout the regular season.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The league has set several important dates for teams and players:

January 22nd – February 15th: Trade window open
February 16th: Teams declare free agents and keepers; trade window closes
March 2nd: Premier Level Free Agency Draft
March 3rd: Challenger Level Free Agency Draft & trade window reopens
April 24th – 27th: First MLP event of 2025 in Orlando
June 9th: MLP notifies teams of waiver period order
June 11th: Premier Level Waivers
June 12th: Challenger Level Waivers
July 14th: Trade deadline (10pm)

Expanded Leagues and Roster Changes

The 2025 season will see significant changes to the league structure and team rosters:

16 teams in Premier Level (up from 12 in 2024)
6 teams in Challenger Level (down from 10 in 2024)
Premier Level rosters expanded to 6 players (3 women and 3 men)
Challenger Level teams maintain 4-player rosters

This expansion brings the total number of MLP players to 120, up from 88 in the previous season. It’s worth noting that players must be exclusively signed with the UPA (USA Pickleball) to be eligible for MLP in 2025, a change from previous seasons.

New Scoring System and Match Format

One of the most significant changes for 2025 is the introduction of side-out scoring, a first for MLP. Games will now be played to 11 points, with teams needing to win by two. Dreambreakers, however, will remain at 21 points with rally scoring. This change is expected to impact match dynamics and potentially influence betting lines for the growing pickleball gambling market.

Free Agency and Keeper Rules

The league has implemented new rules for player retention and acquisition:

Teams can keep two players for up to three years and one player for up to two years
Players must meet specific eligibility requirements to be kept by a team
Free agency will operate on a dynamic bidding system
Premier Level teams will draft six-player rosters, while Challenger Level teams will maintain four-player rosters

Playoffs and Championship Structure

The playoff format has been refined for both Premier and Challenger Levels:

Premier Level

Top 10 teams qualify
Single elimination first round for seeds 7-10
Best two out of three series for subsequent rounds
Higher seeds get advantages in opponent selection and match conditions

Challenger Level

All six teams make the playoffs
Single elimination first round for seeds 3-6
Best two out of three series for semi-finals and finals

Implications for the Future of MLP

These changes represent a significant evolution for Major League Pickleball. The move to side-out scoring, expanded rosters, and the requirement for UPA-signed players are likely to have far-reaching effects on the competitive landscape. While these changes may present challenges, particularly in terms of talent depth, they also offer new strategic opportunities for teams and exciting developments for fans.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how these changes play out on the court. With increased planning time, expanded competition, and refined rules, the upcoming MLP season promises to be the most exciting and competitive yet.

For pickleball enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the 2025 MLP season offers an excellent opportunity to witness the sport’s continued growth and evolution at the highest level. As teams adapt to the new format and players vie for spots on expanded rosters, we can expect to see thrilling matches, strategic gameplay, and perhaps the emergence of new pickleball stars.

To stay updated on all the latest MLP news and developments, be sure to follow official MLP channels and keep an eye on The Dink Pickleball for expert analysis and coverage throughout the season.

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