MLP Finals 2025: Complete Preview and Analysis of Championship Weekend
Introduction to the MLP Finals
The 2025 Major League Pickleball season reaches its climactic conclusion this weekend at the iconic Wollman Rink in New York City’s Central Park. After an intense regular season featuring 200 matches, a Mid-Season Tournament, and playoff rounds, four elite teams have emerged to compete for the Premier Level championship.
The finals represent the culmination of the most competitive MLP season to date, with the sport’s top athletes converging on the Big Apple to battle for pickleball’s most prestigious team title. This comprehensive preview will break down everything you need to know about the championship weekend.
Competing Teams
Premier Level Final Four:
- #1 St. Louis Shock – Dominated regular season with 24-1 record
- #3 New Jersey 5s – Consistent performers with 20-5 record
- #5 Columbus Sliders – Surprise contenders after major playoff upset
- #6 LA Mad Drops – Late-season addition of Ben Johns transformed team
Challenger Level Finals:
- #1 Las Vegas Night Owls – Wire-to-wire Challenger Level leaders
- #2 Nashville Chefs – Surged after key roster moves
Tournament Format and Structure
The MLP Finals follows a best-of-three match series format. Each match consists of up to five games:
- Women’s Doubles
- Men’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles #1
- Mixed Doubles #2
- Dreambreaker (if necessary)
For complete details on tournament rules and scoring, check out the official MLP rulebook.
Detailed Semifinal Matchup Analysis
Semifinal #1: Columbus Sliders vs. St. Louis Shock
This matchup features the tournament’s top seed against the surging Sliders. The Shock’s dominant regular season performance (24-1) makes them favorites, but Columbus’s recent giant-killing form suggests an upset is possible.
Key Players:
Sliders: Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, Andrei Daescu, and CJ Klinger lead a balanced attack that has shown remarkable chemistry in recent matches.
Shock: The powerhouse combination of Anna Bright, Kate Fahey, Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio has proven nearly unbeatable this season.
Semifinal #2: LA Mad Drops vs. New Jersey 5s
The addition of Ben Johns transformed the Mad Drops into legitimate contenders, while the 5s have maintained excellence throughout the season behind Anna Leigh Waters’s stellar play.
Championship Implications
The winners of these semifinals will advance to the Premier Level Finals, where they’ll compete for the largest prize purse in pickleball team history. The championship will be broadcast nationally on major networks including CBS Sports Network and Tennis Channel.
Weather and Playing Conditions
Players will face challenging conditions at Wollman Rink with temperatures in the 80s and humidity levels between 70-80%. These conditions will likely result in slower ball speeds compared to recent tournaments, requiring strategic adjustments from all teams.
How to Watch
Coverage begins Friday at 11:30 AM EST across multiple platforms:
- CBS Sports Network
- Tennis Channel
- MSG Networks
- Pickleballtv
For Newcomers to Pickleball
If you’re new to pickleball or Major League Pickleball, this championship weekend offers an excellent introduction to the sport’s highest level. The team format creates natural rivalries and dramatic moments, while the mix of doubles matches showcases the sport’s various strategic elements. The Dreambreaker format, in particular, provides intense sudden-death scenarios that even casual fans can appreciate.
Conclusion
With record viewership expected and the sport’s top talent assembled in one of the world’s most famous locations, the 2025 MLP Finals promises to be a landmark moment for professional pickleball. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or new to the sport, this weekend’s action offers something for everyone.
