Major League Pickleball Announces 2026 Player Keepers

February 16, 2026

Major League Pickleball today announced the 2026 Player Keepers for all 20 teams. 

  • A total of 54 players were kept across the 20 teams (26 female / 28 male kept; teams ranged from 0 to 5 keepers)
  • There will be 66 open roster spots to fill during the 2026 MLP Free Agency Draft on Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. ET
  • The initial 28 picks will be dedicated to filling the first two female and first two male roster slots on teams that did not keep at least two of each (16 female / 12 male to be selected)
  • The final 38 picks will be used towards open 5th and 6th roster slots (18 female / 20 male to be selected)
  • Following the Draft – Trade Window #2 will open on Monday, Mar. 2, at 10 a.m. ET

Read details regarding competition format updates, including the keeper requirements, player acquisition process for the expansion Palm Beach Royals, and more about the 2026 MLP Free Agency Draft in this recent post.

2026 MLP Keepers by team (alphabetical by last name)

Atlanta Bouncers (3)

  • Females (1): Kaitlyn Christian
  • Males (2): Jay Devilliers, Jaume Martinez Vich

Bay Area Breakers (2)

  • Females (1): Mya Bui
  • Males (1): Pablo Tellez

Brooklyn Pickleball Team (4)

  • Females (3): Hannah Blatt, Jackie Kawamoto, Rachel Rohrabacher
  • Males (1): Riley Newman

California Black Bears (1)

  • Females (1): Layne Sleeth
  • Males (0): N/A

Carolina Hogs (4)

  • Females (2): Ava Ignatowich, Angie Walker
  • Males (2): James Delgado, DJ Young

Chicago Slice (2)

  • Females (0): N/A
  • Males (2): Hunter Johnson, Zane Navratil

Columbus Sliders (3)

  • Females (1): Parris Todd
  • Males (2): Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger

Dallas Flash (3)

  • Females (1): Hurricane Tyra Black
  • Males (2): Augie Ge, JW Johnson

Florida Smash (3)

  • Females (1): Martina Frantova
  • Males (2): Cason Campbell, Travis Rettenmaier

Las Vegas Night Owls (5)

  • Females (3): Brooke Buckner, Liz Truluck, Chao Yi Wang
  • Males (2): Roscoe Bellamy, Blaine Hovenier

Los Angeles Mad Drops (4)

  • Females (2): Jade Kawamoto, Catherine Parenteau
  • Males (2): Max Freeman, Ben Johns

Miami Pickleball Club (2)

  • Females (1): Alix Truong
  • Males (1): Yuta Funemizu

New Jersey 5s (3)

  • Females (1): Anna Leigh Waters
  • Males (2): Will Howells, Noe Khlif

Orlando Squeeze (3)

  • Females (2): Milan Rane, Lacy Schneemann
  • Males (1): Federico Staksrud

Palm Beach Royals (3)

  • Females (2): Tina Pisnik, Sofia Sewing
  • Males (1): Dekel Bar

Phoenix Flames (1)

  • Females (1): Jessie Irvine
  • Males (0): N/A

SoCal Hard Eights (0)

  • Females (0): N/A
  • Males (0): N/A

St. Louis Shock (3)

  • Females (1): Kate Fahey
  • Males (2): Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio

Texas Ranchers (2)

  • Females (0): N/A 
  • Males (2): Christian Alshon, Eric Oncins

Utah Black Diamonds (3)

  • Females (2): Allyce Jones, Etta Tuionetoa
  • Males (1): Connor Garnett

The 2026 MLP season schedule will begin in Dallas, TX, May 22-25. Tickets are available now via Tixr, with the exception of St. Louis and the regular season finale at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, which will be available exclusively through Ticketmaster.

BUY TICKETS