Major League Pickleball Is BACK – And the Drama Is Electric!
Hold onto your paddles, pickleball fans, because Major League Pickleball is back and it is officially fucking back! If you thought last season was a grind, clear your schedule because the new pool-play format has completely supercharged the tournament structure, turning every single match into a high-stakes showdown.
Out of the twenty teams hitting the courts, only one squad managed to keep their original lineup together. That honor goes to the St. Louis Shock, who dropped a cool $1.3 million just to retain the powerhouse Anna Bright. For the other nineteen teams? It’s a brand-new world of unexpected trades, shocking upsets, and sideline chaos.
Let’s break down the wildest storylines from the opening weekend!
🏆 The S-Tier Shakeup: LA Mad Drops Take the Crown
Going into the weekend, most experts had the Mad Drops pegged as a second-tier squad. They had a bizarre start to the week—dropping matches they should have won—but they absolutely showed up when it mattered most.
After dropping both gender doubles matches in an earlier round, Ben Johns tapped into a gear we haven’t seen in years. He absolutely redlined the court, dominating alongside Jade Kawamoto to force a thrilling Dream Breaker scenario. The Mad Drops ultimately rode that wave all the way to the finals, taking down the defending champions to secure a massive 25 standings points.
🤫 Don’t Count Out the Columbus Sliders
People love to count out the defending champs, especially since they were missing their star female player, Paris Todd, due to a suspension. But when you have Alex Strong stepping in from the bench, you’re never truly out of the running. Alex filled in so seamlessly that fans were wondering if she just earned herself a permanent starting spot.
While they suffered a brutal beatdown in their lone Dream Breaker match against the Squeeze, Columbus rallied to win the rest of their pool matches, locking in a stellar second-place finish for the weekend.
⚡ The Rest of the Pack: Quick Hits & Heartbreaks
- St. Louis Shock: Relying on their identical roster from last year, the Shock rolled through their early matchups. While they missed out on the finals, they proved they are still the undisputed masters of the clutch, defeating the Fives in a Dream Breaker for the fifth consecutive time to lock up third place.
- New Jersey Fives: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau remain an absolutely terrifying duo in women’s doubles, but the team’s experimental mixed-doubles pairings left them looking vulnerable. They leave the weekend with some serious soul-searching to do as they slide from an undisputed “S-Tier” team down to a high “A-Tier.”
- Dallas Flash: Talk about a generational fumble! After letting Georgia Johnson walk over to the Fives, the Flash actually played a tribute video for her on the big screen when they faced off. Awkward…
🚫 Sidebar Shenanigans: Dumb Rules & AI Referees
The action wasn’t just limited to the kitchen line. The new UPA rules made their official debut, and they’ve already stirred up some major controversy. Players are now getting slapped with official warnings just for stepping onto the court from the sidelines to coach or cheer on their teammates. It’s a rule that many pros are already calling “flat-out dumb,” arguing it sucks the team energy right out of the stadium.
We also caught our first glimpse of Owl AI line calling. While the system claims to be highly accurate, the broadcast refused to show side-by-side video comparisons for challenged calls. Several balls looked clearly in on camera but were ruled out by the computer. Until the data goes public, expect players and fans to keep questioning the machine.
👟 The Great Debate: Zane Admits He Was Wrong!
We have to close things out with a massive piece of humble pie. For months, pickleball analysts have argued that Hayden Patrick has the highest ceiling in the sport when he is “redlining.”
But Ben Johns completely shattered that narrative this weekend. Playing with a new partner, Ben flew around the court with an aggressive, dominant energy that reminded everyone why he’s the greatest to ever do it. He proved that he doesn’t just have the highest floor in pickleball—he still possesses the highest ceiling, too.
The first MLP event of the year delivered pure, unadulterated entertainment. Grab your paddles, stay hydrated, and get ready, because this season is going to be an absolute movie!
