MLP Opens Waiver Period for 2026 Season: Teams Prepare for Roster Changes

MLP Waiver Process Explained

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has initiated the second of its four waiver periods for the upcoming 2026 season, allowing franchises to modify their rosters as they approach critical phases of the competition. This waiver process enables teams to substitute current players with those contracted under the UPA who are not affiliated with any MLP roster.

According to league regulations, teams wishing to make a waiver claim must submit a minimum bid of $1,000 prior to the start of the waiver period. The bid amount dictates the selection order, with teams that place higher bids receiving priority in making claims. MLP officials have indicated that the waiver order will be communicated to franchises before the selection process commences.

The selection will occur in descending order based on bid amounts, repeating in each round until all teams opt out of making further claims. Teams are only required to pay their submitted bid if they successfully execute a roster change. Franchises that do not submit a claim will not incur any charges and will be barred from making selections during that waiver period.

This financial commitment can accumulate quickly, as teams must pay the full bid amount for each player acquired through waivers. Only players who are currently under UPA contracts and not listed on an MLP roster at the time of the waiver process are eligible for selection. Additionally, MLP has clarified that players obtained through waivers during the 2026 season cannot be retained by franchises in subsequent years, making these acquisitions short-term roster adjustments rather than long-term commitments.

Another important regulation stipulates that waiver positions cannot be traded among teams. The selection slot is exclusively owned by the franchise that secured it through the bidding process. Players released to accommodate waiver additions will immediately become available for selection by other teams during the same waiver period, potentially triggering a chain reaction of roster changes throughout the league.

As playoff races begin to take shape and teams aim to address their weaknesses, this latest waiver window could be crucial for franchises seeking reinforcements for the remainder of the 2026 MLP season.