MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) and the Carvana PPA Tour have jointly unveiled their integrated 2024 schedule, marking a significant milestone following their announcement to merge and establish a unified pickleball entity.
SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon, and a roster of existing MLP team owners have put together a $50 million package to finance the consolidation.
Greater Flexibility
Next year will witness a total of 34 events spanning 200 days of competitive play, visiting more than 25 cities across 18 states.
PPA and MLP will culminate their seasons with championship events, encompassing the very best talent the sport can offer.
This expansion of events aims to bring professional pickleball to a broader audience in the U.S. while also affording players greater flexibility in managing their schedules.
Additionally, a dedicated off-season has been allocated for players post the final event in 2024, emphasizing player well-being and health.
Enhancing Accessibility
The 2024 calendar has been designed to enhance accessibility for fans, featuring a structured PPA Tour format comprising Slams (with up to 2,000 ranking points), Cups (worth up to 1,500 points), and Opens (worth up to 1,000 points).
These ranking points play a pivotal role in identifying the world’s top players and securing their participation in the highly prestigious PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente, California.
Moreover, each PPA Tour stop will provide amateur pickleball enthusiasts of all levels the opportunity to engage in play.
A Novel Approach
A novel approach for 2024 will see the 24 MLP teams engaging in a regular season schedule, divided into six divisions of four teams each.
Teams will compete in a minimum of 40 matches throughout the regular season, facing every other team at least once. Divisional rivals will meet on three or four occasions, with additional matchups against teams in their designated “rival” division.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, a two-week MLP Playoff series will ensue.
Event Types
The varying event types, along with the comprehensive 2024 schedule, are outlined below:
- PPA Tour Slams and Cups: Featuring marquee events offering athletes the opportunity to earn substantial ranking points.
- PPA Tour Opens: Showcasing traditional PPA Tour events across 15 stops, encompassing various formats.
- PPA Finals: Set to take place in San Clemente, CA, in December 2024, culminating in a round-robin tournament to determine champions in each discipline.
Nine-Day Pickleball Extravaganzas
MLP’s regular season for 2024 will comprise 15 events, with each event hosting a selection of the 24 MLP teams, engaging in multiple matches to establish a team’s regular season record.
Notably, nine of the 15 events will precede the PPA Tour Slams, Cups, or Opens, kicking off these combined nine-day pickleball extravaganzas.
The remaining six events will be MLP Showdowns, introducing the unique MLP format to a variety of team markets.
MLP will host two Championship events in 2024:
- The Mid-Season Championship will bring all 24 teams together over four days, with a champion crowned at the conclusion of the weekend.
- The MLP Playoffs will span two four-day weekends across two locations, culminating in the crowning of the 2024 champion based on teams’ performance throughout the regular season.
About Carvana PPA Tour
Established in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour provides the arena for pickleball’s top athletes to compete and determine the best male and female players worldwide.
Organizing tournaments at premier facilities across the nation, the Carvana PPA Tour also establishes player rankings and awards over $5.5 million in annual prize money, maintaining parity in play and offering divisions for every age group and skill level, including amateur players.
Known for its festive and enjoyable atmosphere,
The complete 2024 Carvana PPA Tour schedule π«‘
β Carvana PPA Tour (@PPAtour) November 2, 2023
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Open – 1,000 points
Cup – 1,500 points
Slam – 2,000 points pic.twitter.com/trS4HEQtjO
Carvana PPA Tour events provide a crackling atmosphere and unrivaled experiences for on-site fans, featuring pro-player meet-and-greets, clinics, entertainment, and more.
For further details, go to ppatour.com and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About MLP by Margaritaville
MLP by Margaritaville (Major League Pickleball) stands as the premier team-based professional pickleball league, comprising nearly 100 top-tier athletes spread across 24 teams.
With a unique coed format, straightforward scoring system, and iconic team owners, MLP offers a dynamic live event experience for fans.
Founded in 2021, MLP secured Margaritaville as its inaugural title sponsor in December 2022, leading to the rebranding of the league as MLP by Margaritaville.
For more information, visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
