Major League Pickleball and Pacific Pickleball League Unite to Launch MLP Australia: A New Era in Professional Pickleball

The Land Down Under Welcomes the Fastest-Growing Sport in the U.S. with Record Prize Money and World-Class Events

In a groundbreaking move that's set to redefine the landscape of professional pickleball, Major League Pickleball (MLP) has inked a partnership deal with Pacific Pickleball League (PPL). This alliance will catapult Pacific Pickleball's team competitions into the international spotlight, rebranding them as Major League Pickleball Australia.

Pacific Pickleball, the trailblazer in Australia's professional pickleball scene, has already enlisted 33 of the country's most elite players. These athletes will represent Australia's newest sports sensations: Sydney Smash, Melbourne Mavericks, Brisbane Breakers, and Gold Coast Glory. These teams will now compete under the prestigious Major League Pickleball Australia banner, aligning their events with MLP's celebrated format. However, the Pacific Pickleball brand will continue to be the gold standard for open and masters events in the traditional tour format.

With over 36 million enthusiasts in the U.S., pickleball is the fastest-growing sport stateside. Australia is quickly catching up, boasting an estimated 25,000 players who are passionately engaged in the sport.

“This partnership is a landmark moment for the sport of pickleball. Major League Pickleball is at the forefront of standardizing the best professional pickleball league, not just in the U.S. but globally,” declared MLP CEO Julio DePietro. “The MLP format is an amazing way to create even more excitement at these already electric team events.”

"By partnering with MLP, we will set record levels of prize money and host world-class events, supporting the growth of the sport in Australia,” stated Adam Thompson, CEO & co-founder of Pacific Pickleball.

The newly minted Major League Pickleball Australia is not holding back when it comes to rewards. They plan to distribute nearly a million dollars in cash prizes over the next 12 months.

Anthony Liveris, President & co-founder of Pacific Pickleball, emphasized that MLP Australia will serve as a global platform for Australia's top players to showcase their unparalleled skills.

Kicking off from September 8-10 in Brisbane, MLP Australia will then move to Melbourne and Sydney for subsequent events. These tournaments will not only spotlight the sport's highest level of competition in Australia but also offer the most substantial prize money in the southern hemisphere.

Pacific Pickleball received its official recognition as Australia's professional pickleball league in May. In collaboration with Pickleball Australia Association, the sport's governing body, Pacific Pickleball aims to capitalize on the sport's skyrocketing popularity.

“The explosive popularity of the sport in Australia has created a strong need for professional events. Participation in the sport currently exceeds 25,000 and membership has doubled in the last 12 months,” noted Brendan Lee of the Pickleball Australia Association.