MLP Orlando Event Preview: Kicking Off the 2025 Season

Major League Pickleball (MLP) is set to launch its 2025 season with the highly anticipated MLP Orlando event. Taking place at the USTA National Campus in Florida, this tournament marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for professional pickleball. As the second full season of MLP action gets underway, fans and players alike are eager to see how recent changes will impact the competition.

Key Changes for the 2025 MLP Season

The 2025 season brings several significant modifications to the MLP format:

Expanded Premier Level

The Premier Level has grown to include 16 teams, up from 12 in the previous season. The top four teams from last year’s Challenger Level have been promoted, joining the ranks of the elite. These newcomers are:

Atlanta Bouncers
Chicago Slice
Miami Pickleball Club
SoCal Hard Eights

This expansion creates a more competitive field and raises the stakes for all teams involved.

New Scoring System

Perhaps the most dramatic change is the introduction of side-out scoring. This marks a departure from the rally scoring system used in previous MLP seasons. Each match will now consist of four games – two gender doubles and two mixed doubles. If tied after these four games, the match will proceed to a “Dreambreaker” tiebreaker. Individual games will be played to 11 points, with a win-by-two rule in effect.

This new scoring format is expected to create more tension and excitement, as every point becomes crucial in the race to 11.

Expanded Rosters

Teams in the Premier Level will now carry six players on their roster, an increase from the previous four-player format. This change allows for greater flexibility in lineup choices and helps teams manage player fatigue and potential injuries throughout the season.

Rosters will include three men and three women, with teams submitting their four starters the night before each match. This adjustment eliminates the need for specialized singles or mixed doubles players, at least for now.

Player Transfers and “Steals”

The MLP has introduced a new “steal” rule, allowing teams to poach players from other rosters under certain conditions. Teams must designate their top four players as “keepers,” leaving two players eligible to be stolen. However, to acquire a player from another team, the stealing team must drop one of their top four players.

This rule adds an element of strategy to roster management and could lead to some surprising mid-season moves.

MLP Orlando: Event Details

Broadcast Schedule

All matches will be available on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv App. Additionally, select matches will be broadcast on regional networks and FS1:

Saturday, April 26: Carolina vs. Dallas (12 p.m.) on Palmetto Network in Carolina
Saturday, April 26: New Jersey vs. Atlanta (2 p.m.) on Peachtree TV in Atlanta
Saturday, April 26: Tape delayed match on FS1, beginning at 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27: D.C. vs. St. Louis (11 a.m.) on Matrix Midwest in St. Louis
Sunday, April 27: Tape delayed match on FS1, beginning at 10 p.m.

Weather Outlook

As expected for central Florida in April, the forecast calls for sunny skies and warm temperatures throughout the tournament. These ideal conditions should allow for high-quality play and an enjoyable experience for spectators.

Team Previews

Columbus Sliders

The Sliders face a grueling start to the season with six matches in Orlando. Their projected starters include Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, CJ Klinger, and Andrei Daescu. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the Sliders will need to hit the ground running to set themselves up for success in the early part of the season.

New Jersey 5s

Led by superstar Anna Leigh Waters, the New Jersey 5s are poised for a strong start. The team’s success may hinge on the performance of Meghan Dizon, who will face significant pressure in both gender and mixed doubles. If Dizon can rise to the occasion, the 5s could be early frontrunners in the MLP standings.

Brooklyn Pickleball Team

Brooklyn faces a challenging schedule to open the season, with matches against several top-ranked opponents. The team’s fortunes may depend on the form of Riley Newman, who has shown flashes of brilliance in recent play. If Newman can recapture his 2024 form, Brooklyn could surprise some of their tougher opponents.

Miami Pickleball Club

As one of the newly promoted teams, Miami will be looking to prove they belong in the Premier Level. The spotlight will be on young star Mya Bui, making her MLP debut. With a mix of experience and potential, Miami could be a dark horse in the early stages of the season.

Orlando Squeeze

The host team has the advantage of playing on familiar courts and in front of a supportive crowd. Led by Lacy Schneemann and Dylan Frazier, the Squeeze will be looking to set a high standard for team-hosted events while also making a strong start in the standings.

Conclusion

The MLP Orlando event promises to be an exciting kickoff to the 2025 season. With new rules, expanded rosters, and fierce competition, fans can expect thrilling matches and potentially some early season surprises. As teams adjust to the new format and face off against both familiar foes and fresh faces, the race for MLP supremacy begins in earnest under the Florida sun.

For pickleball enthusiasts, the next few days will offer a feast of high-level play and a first look at how the offseason changes will shape the MLP landscape. Whether you’re watching from the stands in Orlando or tuning in from home, the 2025 MLP season is set to deliver unparalleled excitement and showcase the continued growth of professional pickleball.

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