For Atlantic City Aces player Sheri Courter, this month’s Champions Series event offered something especially meaningful: the opportunity to compete in her hometown.

When his baseball playing days ended, Kyle Gardner missed the competition. Discover how the Kansas City Stingers player found a new court, a new team and a renewed competitive spark through pickleball.

For Austin Ignite player Meredith Geiger-Walton, this month’s Champions Series event offered something especially meaningful: the opportunity to compete at home.

The Austin Ignite Prime 40+ team arrived in Dallas with momentum after an undefeated opening event in Chicago—and left with a first-place finish in their division. For Nicole Pitts, the weekend was about more than adding another win to the season.

Following our Chicago season opener, KC Stinger and guest contributor David George (aka ‘The Professor’) shares a few reflections from the weekend, including what stood out most about the competition, the personalities that make the league unique, and why he's already looking forward to the next stop on the schedule.

Story via Pickleball.com

Partnership to Deliver 20 Broadcasts Throughout the 2026 Season, Culminating with Championship Coverage Across the 40s, 50s, and 60s Divisions

Official Ball Partnership Begins with MLP Champions Series' 2026 Season Opener in Chicago, July 23-26

Official Ball Partnership Begins with MLP Champions Series' 2026 Season Opener in Chicago, July 23-26

CSP Events to be rebranded as MLP Champions Series

Effective today, the National Pickleball League (NPL) is becoming Champions Series Pickleball (CSP).

All 12 NPL teams will compete for a share of the $100,000 prize pool and the league’s third-season championship crown at the Side Out Tsunami Pickleball Center

League to add new divisions for players aged 40+, players aged 60+, and a 50+ development division plus new Tournament Series for both professional and amateur players age 40+