HOW MLP WORKS

MLPlay™ is an innovative gameplay format that brings men and women together on a level playing court. In the MLPlay format team matches are composed of four games, with the first two (2) games being women’s doubles or men’s doubles, and the final two (2) games consisting of mixed doubles. If teams are tied after the four (4) games, an innovative singles tiebreaker known as a DreamBreaker™ is played. This unique dynamic means that teamwork as a skill is just as critical as speed or technique on the court and a big part of the community aspect of the sport!

The league consists of 23 teams split into the MLP Premier Level (18 teams) and MLP Challenger Level (5 teams). Premier Level is home to the top players drafted while Challenger Level houses a group of 5 teams looking to become pro pickleball’s next stars. These levels ensure the highest caliber of competition while providing a pathway and opportunities for the next generation of pro pickleball stars to break through!

The 2026 MLP calendar features 13 total events, consisting of nine (9) Regular Season events, the 2026 Mid-Season Tournament, and three (3) weekends of the 2026 MLP Playoffs, all taking place from May-August 

A collection of 10 Premier teams will participate at each regular season event, split into groups of five. Teams play everyone in their group, Thursday-Saturday (four total matches per team). All four games will be played in each match during regular season group play, even if a team is up 3-0.

Thursday-Saturday event results will be calculated as they were in 2025 (a regulation win is worth 3 points, a DreamBreaker win is worth 2 points, a DreamBreaker loss is worth 1 point, and a regulation loss with no DreamBreaker is worth 0 points) in determining the final group standings.

Following completed group play, teams will play one head-to-head match on Sunday, based on group play results. Sunday is where teams will earn their season standings points.

At both levels, a select number of teams with the most standings points at the end of the regular season will earn entry into the 2026 MLP Playoffs. The Playoffs will be broken up over three rounds: The first round will be played in Dallas, followed by the Quarterfinals in San Diego, followed by the Semifinals and Finals in New York City.

IIn 2026, MLP will continue a side out scoring system for the doubles format of MLP (e.g., Gender & Mixed). Games will be played to 11 points, with a winning margin of at least two points.

DreamBreakers will be played under MLP's fast-paced rally scoring format and played to 21 points, with players switching out every four (4) points.

The freeze will remain at game point; the DreamBreaker must be won on serve.