MLP Champions Series Expands to Sixteen Teams for 2026, Adding New Teams in Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix
Four New Franchises and an Expanded Roster of Elite Players Set the Stage for the Most Competitive Season in League History
Palm Springs, CA – July 8, 2026 – MLP Champions Series today announced the addition of four new teams for the 2026 season. The League now has 16 teams competing in its 50+ Premier division, with a majority of the teams also fielding squads in the 40+ Prime and 60+ Masters divisions.
New Teams Joining MLP Champions Series in 2026:
Detroit Disruptors (MI)
Las Vegas Headliners (NV)
Los Angeles Xtreme (CA)
Phoenix Firebirds (AZ)
The league enters the 2026 season with significant momentum following the recently announced partnership between Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) and Champions Series Pickleball (CSP), formerly known as the National Pickleball League. MLP and CSP will also collaborate on marketing, promotions, and media opportunities to expand awareness of professional senior pickleball and grow the visibility of the MLP Champions Series nationwide.
The addition of Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix further strengthens an already impressive lineup of teams competing across the country and provides new opportunities for players, fans, sponsors, and local communities to engage with the fastest-growing sport in America.
Select MLP Champions Series events will be integrated with the 2026 MLP presented by DoorDash schedule, creating unique opportunities to showcase the sport's top 40+ professionals alongside Major League Pickleball's premier events.
2026 MLP Champions Series Schedule:
*Chicago, IL — July 23-26
*Dallas, TX — August 6-9
Austin, TX & Phoenix, AZ — September 3-6
Columbus, OH — October 8-11
*Dallas, TX — October 30-November 1
*Events in conjunction with MLP
"The addition of four new franchises is another major milestone for our league and a reflection of the momentum we're building across the MLP Champions Series," said Rod Davis, CEO of Champions Series Pickleball. "We're incredibly excited to welcome new ownership groups and expand to 16 teams in 2026. As we continue to grow, our focus remains the same: providing the highest level of competition for players age 40 and over. This expansion demonstrates that the best players in the sport want to compete on the MLP Champions Series stage, and we're committed to building a league that continues to attract the game's top talent."
For more information about MLP Champions Series, visit nplpickleball.com or follow on social media at Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About MLP Champions Series
Champions Series Pickleball, formerly the National Pickleball League (NPL) is the premier professional league for Champions Pros. Entering its 4th season, CSP is expanding with new teams and age group divisions for pros 40+ and 60+. Some 330 Champion Pro players will represent 16 teams this season. For more information visit nplpickleball.com.