MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL AUSTRALIA
Eight franchises. Two pathways. Four cities. One championship weekend in Sydney.
The 2026 Major League Pickleball Australia season is locked in, and the road that gets you onto an MLPA court has never been sharper. Here's how you take your shot.
MLPA Premier
- Applications: 5 May – 30 June 2026
- Draft Day: 22 July 2026
- Male athletes: 5.0+ verified DUPR
- Female athletes: 4.5+ verified DUPR
- The Coasters — Danni-Elle Townsend
- Pacific Flame — Sahra Dennehy
- Melbourne Thunder — Zach Grabovic
- Sydney Smash — Mitch Hargreaves
- Gold Coast Glory — Sarah Burr
- Northern Crocs — Andie Dikosavljevic
- Brisbane Breakers — Joey Wild
- Bondi Pickleball Club — Jason Taylor
Premier-level players: the road runs through the 2026 MLPA Premier Draft.
Open to AUS and NZ athletes verified by birth, citizenship, or residency. International players eligible only as a signed PPA Tour Athlete. Captains and financialy incentivised athletes from competing domestic leagues can't nominate. Under-18s need written guardian permission. Drafted athletes must be available for all four MLPA events.
Apply at majorleaguepickleball.net.au.
The Captains Are Locked
Four Events. One Trophy.
| MLPA Event | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 18–20 September 2026 | Venue TBC |
| Brisbane | 9–11 October 2026 | Venue TBC |
| Gold Coast | 20–22 November 2026 | Venue TBC |
| Sydney | 27–29 November 2026 | Venue TBC |
MLPA - DUPR 22 and CHAMPIONS (50+)
- MiLP rules: dupr.com/minorleague/rules
- Follow along: @mlp.australia and @minorleagupb_au on Instagram
Win Your Qualifier, Wear the Jersey
The MLPA qualifier playbook has been rewritten for 2026. No drafts. No invitations. Win the Champions Division at your local MLP Qualifier and your team represents that franchise at MLPA, full jersey, full badge, full lineup. Two divisions per event: DUPR 22 (open age) and Champions 50+. Co-ed rosters, regional eligibility, DUPR-verified players. Merit-based pickleball at its purest.
The Kiwi Pathway:
For 2026 we've built New Zealand its own pathway that runs through the Minor League NZ Regional Showdown circuit.
Wear The Coasters jersey at MLPA. The MLPA Coasters Qualifier (Wellington, 8 August) is the gatekeeper. Top 2 teams from each NZ Regional Showdown in DUPR 20 (or highest DUPR division at each event) and DUPR 50+ (highest division at each event) earn their Wellington invite. Win your division and your team becomes the official MLPA Coasters DUPR 22 or Coasters Champions 50+ squad — full franchise badge, official jersey, and entry at every MLPA event from Melbourne through to Sydney.
The Aussie Road:
For 2026, Aussie teams made up of 3 atheltes from their state + one optional will select their qualifier to attend. No limit on the number of qualifers, but it must be in your teams region.
7 MLPA Teams, 7 National Qualifier Events! Pick your event and enter now! Win your division and your team becomes the official MLPA DUPR 22 or MLPA Champions 50+ squad — full franchise badge, official jersey, and event entry at every MLPA event from Melbourne through to Sydney.
| Date | Qualifier | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5 July 2026 | Melbourne Thunder | Pickle4Real, Melbourne |
| 12 July 2026 | Sydney Smash | Central Pick, Sydney, NSW |
| 26 July 2026 | Gold Coast Glory | Get Pickld, Gold Coast |
| 2 August 2026 | Brisbane Breakers | Brisbane, QLD |
| 8 August 2026 | The Coasters | Love Pickle, Wellington, NZ |
| 9 August 2026 | Pacific Flame | Raya, Melbourne, VIC |
| 9 August 2026 | Bondi Pickleball Club | Sydney, NSW |
| 23 August 2026 | Northern Crocs | Pickleball Palace, Sunshine Coast, QLD |
QLD, TAS, SA and WA teams: pick any National Qualifier nationwide. Full rules + registration at aus.officialmilp.com.
Premier hopefuls: the window closes 30 June. MiLP hopefuls: pick your qualifier, build your four, start training. The 2026 season ends in Sydney. The work that gets you there starts now.
See you on the court.
MLPA and MILP Team
Need help with eligibility, registration, or rules? Email Sange (MLPA Commissioner) at sange@majorleaguepickleball.net.au or Dan Sypkes (MiLP Coordinator) at dan@ppatour.com.au.
