HISTORY MADE: TEAM AUSTRALIA TO COMPETE AT MLP USA MID-SEASON EVENT IN GRAND RAPIDS
First-ever Australian franchise team to take the court at Major League Pickleball USA
AUSTRALIA — Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) is proud to announce that Team Australia will make history as the first Australian franchise team to compete at a Major League Pickleball USA event, heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the MLP Mid-Season Invitational, July 8–12, 2026.
This is a watershed moment for Australian pickleball, a statement to the world that the talent coming out of this country is ready to compete at the highest level of the game.
“This is everything we’ve been building towards,” said MLPA Commissioner Sange Carter. “Taking an Australian team to MLP USA isn’t just a milestone for this league, it’s a milestone for the sport in this country.”
BACKED BY AUSTRALIA’S BEST
Team Australia’s journey to Grand Rapids would not be possible without the support of three outstanding partners who believe in the future of Australian pickleball:
Pickleball Australia: The governing body whose commitment to growing the game at every level made this moment possible.
Apex Academy: Backing Australian athletes to compete on the world stage.
GetPickld: Bringing the passion of the pickleball community and an elite venue behind this team.
2Xu: Kitting the team out in the best apparel on the planet.
AUSSIES ARE TAKING OVER GRAND RAPIDS
Team Australia won’t be alone on the big stage. Grand Rapids will feature a strong contingent of Australian talent across the competition:
- Danni-Elle Townsend — Columbus Sliders
- Joey Wild and Sahra Dennehy — Cali Black Bears
Australian pickleball has arrived – and Grand Rapids is about to find out.
WATCH LIVE
Follow all the action from Grand Rapids on Pickleball TV, July 8–12, 2026.
About Major League Pickleball Australia MLPA is Australia’s premier professional pickleball league, operating in official sanctioned partnership with MLP USA. With four competitive tiers – Premier, DUPR22, Champions 50+ and Jr.MLP – and a prize pool exceeding $200,000, MLPA is building the future of professional pickleball in the Asia-Pacific.
