MLP Adopts Owl AI Line Calling for 2026 Season
New York, USA
What's the Score?
New York, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Owl AI to implement automatic line calling technology throughout the 2026 professional season. This integration aims to enhance the integrity of matches and accelerate the speed of play by supporting existing match referees to deliver highly accurate rulings and much faster turnaround times for video challenges. MLP will join Owl AI's Trailblazer Program to gain access to the advanced AI-based system.
Hit it Deeper!
The decision to adopt the Owl AI technology reflects MLP’s commitment to improving the spectator and player experience. MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani emphasised the strategic importance of this move, stating: “It’s paramount for MLP to strategically align with innovative companies like Owl AI to enhance the reliability of our challenge system and the overall production quality of the on-court product”. MLP, a league known for its rapid, team-based format, is prioritising system reliability to minimize disruptions and maximise high-speed action.
Owl AI CEO Josh Gwyther affirmed that their platform is custom-built to meet the exacting standards of professional pickleball. Gwyther stated that the AI system is engineered to deliver the "speed and accuracy that a fast-paced sport like pickleball demands". He promised that the partnership will create a "more engaging and transparent experience for the millions of fans watching," ensuring confidence in crucial, high-stakes line calls. The integration of AI technology alongside human referees sets a new standard for match officiating in the burgeoning sport.
While MLP will deploy the system during its regular season starting in late May 2026, the technology will receive its public debut slightly earlier. The Owl AI system is scheduled to be introduced on the PPA Tour at the Greater Zion Cup in March of the same year. This joint debut suggests a coordinated effort to test and validate the AI system across different professional league formats before its full rollout in the MLP. This move positions MLP at the forefront of sports technology adoption, following established racquet sports that have introduced automated systems to improve fairness and match flow.
The World Pickleball Verdict
MLP's embrace of Owl AI for automatic line calling marks a significant professional leap for the sport. By investing in highly accurate, AI-based technology, MLP is addressing the perennial challenge of inconsistent line calls head-on, thereby bolstering competitive integrity.
This crucial technological upgrade ensures that dramatic match outcomes are dictated by player skill rather than officiating error, aligning pickleball with modern sports production standards and enhancing transparency for a rapidly expanding global audience.