On May 25, 2026, the 2026 season of Major League Pickleball (MLP) opened in Dallas, Texas. The Los Angeles Mad Drops ran undefeated from qualifying through the final, beating the Columbus Sliders 3-1 to win the opening event. Fielding Ben Johns, Catherine Parenteau, and Jade Kawamoto, the Mad Drops claimed the first title of the new season following the 20-team merger.
The full story of the final—turning back the Sliders' opening lead
In the final, the Columbus Sliders struck first in women's doubles. The pair of Danni-Elle Townsend and Alix Truong edged out Catherine Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto 13-11, putting the Sliders up 1-0.
But the Mad Drops answered with three straight wins to come from behind. They took men's doubles and the second women's doubles match in a row, and in the closing mixed doubles, Jade Kawamoto and Ben Johns overwhelmed Alix Truong and Andrei Daescu 11-6. The Mad Drops won the event 3-1.
Behind the event—the first season of the 20-team merger
MLP 2026 opened after a major structural overhaul. The previous two-tier Premier/Challenger system was scrapped, and all 20 teams moved to a unified league format competing in a single division. Each team plays 5 of the 9 regular-season events and contests 23 group-play matches.
The Dallas event was held at Pickler Universe from May 22 to 25, and overlapping with Memorial Day weekend helped draw a strong crowd.
Dallas event standings
| Standing | Team | Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Los Angeles Mad Drops | 25 | Undefeated champions |
| 2nd | Columbus Sliders | 18 | Reached the final |
| 3rd | St. Louis Shock | 15 | Top of Group B |
| 4th | New Jersey 5s | 12 | |
| 5th | Dallas Flash | 10 | Home team |
Why the Mad Drops won—battles in qualifying forged the team
The Mad Drops' road was anything but smooth. In group play they fell behind St. Louis Shock 0-2, but took both mixed-doubles matches in a row and won the DreamBreaker 21-15 for a comeback victory. Coming through that gauntlet built the team unity that led to the comeback in the final.
The core roster of Ben Johns, Catherine Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, Max Freeman, Gabe Joseph, and Genie Bouchard delivered steady performances, with Ben Johns in particular showing unmatched strength in mixed doubles.
Voices from those involved
Reactions to the 20-team unified format were broadly positive throughout the event. The old two-tier system drew criticism that “top players get spread thin,” but this time, with every team competing on the same stage, star players appeared in every match.
Host team Dallas Flash finished 5th, but support from local fans was strong and the atmosphere in the arena was lively. The court conditions and fan experience at Pickler Universe also drew high marks.
On the other hand, Group B entrant Carolina Hogs struggled at this event, and regrouping for the next stop is a challenge.
Impact on Japanese players
MLP currently centers its league operations within the U.S., but the 2026 season is expanding its international exposure through ESPN broadcasts. Because every match can be streamed from Japan as well, it can be used as study material for learning pro tactics and formations.
The UPA fine imposed on Parris Todd, and events like the one at Tokyo's Ariake that drew attention, show that interest in the Japanese market is also rising. Whether MLP's success lays the groundwork for a future Asia expansion is worth watching.
The rest of the 2026 season—the full 13-event lineup
MLP 2026 runs from May through August across 13 events. The schedule includes 9 regular-season events, 1 mid-season tournament (Grand Rapids, Michigan, July 8-12), and 3 playoff rounds.
| Event | Schedule | Location |
|---|---|---|
| MLP Dallas (opening event) | May 22-25 | Dallas, Texas |
| MLP Columbus | May 28-31 | Columbus, Ohio |
| MLP St. Louis | Early June | St. Louis, Missouri (Chaifetz Arena) |
| MLP Austin | Mid-June | Austin, Texas (Austin Pickle Ranch) |
| MLP New York | Late June | New York (Sportime Randall’s Island) |
| Mid-season tournament | July 8-12 | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| MLP Orlando (final regular-season event) | July 30-August 2 | Orlando, Florida (Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports) |
| Playoffs open | August 6-9 | Dallas, Texas |
Summary—the Mad Drops' clean sweep sets the season in motion
The LA Mad Drops' undefeated sweep in Dallas was a fittingly dramatic start to the 2026 MLP season. As the first event of the 20-team unified format, it set a high bar in event operations, broadcasting, and fan experience alike. The next stop, MLP Columbus, has already opened on May 28, and the focus shifts to how far St. Louis Shock, New Jersey 5s, and Carolina Hogs can fight back.A full breakdown of the MLP 2026 seasonis also worth reading alongside this.
