MLP St. Louis 2025: Playoff Races, Trades & Rising Talent Collide
What's the Score?
The Major League Pickleball (MLP) season is continuing its intense schedule with the Marathon MLP St. Louis event, a crucial four-day competition showcasing both Premier and Challenger-level teams. As the eighth of ten regular-season events, this tournament carries significant weight for teams vying for playoff spots. Key storylines include high-stakes matchups with playoff implications, recent player trades, and important substitutions that could dramatically shift the league standings.
Hit it deeper!
The Marathon MLP St. Louis event, hosted at Chaifetz Arena, represents a critical juncture in the Major League Pickleball calendar, featuring six Premier-level teams and all six Challenger-level teams. This four-day tournament is part of a demanding stretch for MLP, marking the fourth of six consecutive weeks with league competition, and a total of 31 matches are scheduled across Championship Court and Grandstand Court. The outcomes in St. Louis could well define the season for many teams, especially with the playoffs rapidly approaching.
Several compelling storylines and matchups are set to unfold:
One of the most anticipated matches is the opening clash between The Chicago Slice (4-10, 14pts) and the Atlanta Bouncers (4-11, 12pts) on Championship Court. This is a high-stakes encounter because both teams are currently positioned outside the top 10 playoff spots, ranking 12th and 14th, respectively. A victory is absolutely imperative for either squad to maintain pace with the Miami Pickleball Club (7-13, 19pts), which presently holds the tenth and final playoff position. Adding a layer of personal intensity to this match is a significant player-for-player trade that occurred between these two teams in June: Chicago sent Vivienne David to Atlanta, while Atlanta, in return, sent Vivian Glozman to Chicago. Both players, along with their respective teams, will undoubtedly be highly motivated to prove who gained the most advantageous position in that exchange, ensuring a compelling on-court battle.
Another significant storyline revolves around The Brooklyn Pickleball Team (14-5, 44pts). Despite being a lock for the playoffs, Brooklyn will compete in its final regular-season event without one of its key players, Dekel Bar. This marks Bar's fourth consecutive event absence, with AJ Koller once again stepping in as a substitute. While Koller has admirably filled the role so far, Brooklyn faces a demanding schedule this week, referred to as a "gauntlet of contenders," including Dallas, St. Louis, and Columbus. Not being at full strength against such formidable opponents could potentially result in them leaving valuable standings points on the table, which could impact their eventual playoff seeding. Koller’s performance will therefore be crucial in helping his team maintain momentum and secure a favourable position.
At the Challenger level, attention will be on Jonathan Truong, who is stepping in for Sam Querrey for the Bay Area Breakers (6-9, 19pts). The 18-year-old Truong is slated to play men’s doubles alongside DJ Young and mixed doubles with his sister, Alix Truong. Truong’s recent performance history makes him a player to watch closely; he reached the Round of 16 at the PPA Orange County Cup just last month, navigating through the qualifying draw and securing notable wins against strong pairings. The Bay Area Breakers will face the California Black Bears (5-10, 16pts) and Florida Smash (4-11, 12pts) on Thursday, providing an early test for Truong’s integration into the team.
The matches on Grandstand Court are scheduled to commence at 11:00 am CT, with Championship Court action kicking off an hour later at noon CT, and all games available for viewing on Pickleballtv. This event takes place shortly after significant league announcements, including the Major League Pickleball Competition Committee and the USA Pickleball Association (UPA) Board approving a change that will see the 2025 MLP Challenger Level Champion promoted directly to the Premier Level for the 2026 season. This also means MLP will delay its long-anticipated move to a one-level structure until the 2027 season, adding further incentive and strategic considerations for teams across both levels.
The World Pickleball Verdict
MLP St. Louis is more than just another stop on the tour; it's a dynamic illustration of the strategic depth and rapidly evolving competitive landscape of professional pickleball. The high stakes for playoff qualification, the tactical implications of recent player trades and necessary substitutions, and the ongoing adjustments to the league's structure all underscore its commitment to competitive integrity and growth. The performances witnessed at St. Louis will not only shape the immediate playoff picture but also offer valuable insights into team resilience and adaptability, demonstrating how franchises are navigating the escalating pressures and exciting opportunities of a maturing professional sport. Collectively, these individual stories highlight the increasing professionalism, strategic complexity, and dramatic potential that Major League Pickleball continues to bring to the sport.