Major League Pickleball 2026: St. Petersburg Set for Thrilling Competition

Exciting Matches Ahead in St. Petersburg

The fifth leg of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) season 2026 is set to kick off in St. Petersburg on June 17, featuring 11 teams competing in a tightly contested group stage divided into two pools. Notably, the New Jersey 5s, who triumphed in Austin, will not be participating, leaving four of the top five teams to battle it out. This event is particularly significant as St. Louis is the only elite team absent from the St. Petersburg roster.

Group A: Anticipated Showdown Between LA Mad Drops and Brooklyn

Group A consists of five teams: Los Angeles Mad Drops, Brooklyn Pickleball Team, Chicago Slice, Utah Black Diamonds, and Florida Smash. The highlight will be the much-anticipated clash between LA Mad Drops and Brooklyn, which is expected to determine the group leader. In their previous encounter in St. Louis, the Mad Drops emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. However, Brooklyn's chances are bolstered by the return of Riley Newman from injury, which could shift the dynamics after Chris Haworth's temporary role in the last match.

The rematch is scheduled for the final day of group play on Saturday and is anticipated to be a decisive factor for the group winner. Both teams are closely matched, with Brooklyn having a slight edge in women’s doubles, while the Mad Drops, led by Ben Johns and Jade Kawamoto, excel in mixed doubles. The remaining matches are expected to be highly competitive, making a Dreambreaker finish a likely scenario.

Chicago and Utah are expected to vie for third place, with Chicago adding AJ Koller to their lineup, although his role is still uncertain. Utah counters with a strong team, holding a slight advantage in men’s doubles. Their head-to-head match on Thursday is anticipated to be crucial.

Florida enters the competition as underdogs but has previously demonstrated the ability to challenge stronger teams.

Group B: St. Louis Shock and Columbus Sliders Lead the Charge

Group B features six teams: St. Louis Shock, Columbus Sliders, Texas Ranchers, Orlando Squeeze, Palm Beach Royals, and Miami Pickleball Club. St. Louis and Columbus are the frontrunners in this group. Columbus has strengthened its roster by acquiring Tyra Black from the Dallas Flash, although her participation remains uncertain due to illness. If she is fit, she is expected to play in the key match against St. Louis Shock on Saturday.

This matchup promises to be thrilling, potentially featuring a showdown between Anna Bright and Kate Fahey against Tyra Black and Parris Todd, along with Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio facing Andrei Daescu and CJ Klinger. Expect two high-quality mixed doubles matches, with a Dreambreaker likely in the mix.

Texas, Orlando, and Palm Beach are anticipated to compete for mid-table positions, with men's strength being a crucial factor for all three teams. Orlando may find an opportunity against Columbus early in the week, possibly before Black is fully fit. Texas appears to have some momentum and is projected to secure third place in the group.

Sunday's Predictions

Based on their current form and team strength, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, St. Louis, and Columbus are expected to be the top contenders for the Sunday qualifiers, setting the stage for potential heavyweight semifinals. The St. Louis Shock, currently in second place behind New Jersey 5s, are favored to advance past the semifinals, likely facing the Los Angeles Mad Drops. Meanwhile, the Columbus Sliders are expected to go up against Brooklyn, with both matches anticipated to be closely contested and possibly decided in Dreambreakers.