MLP Champions Series Names Life Time LT Pro 48 Official Competition Ball
Official Ball Partnership Begins with MLP Champions Series' 2026 Season Opener in Chicago, July 23-26
Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brand, and MLP Champions Series, the leading professional pickleball platform for players ages 40+, 50+, and 60+, today announced the LT Pro 48 as the Official Ball of MLP Champions Series competition.
The partnership will debut during the 2026 MLP Champions Series season, which begins July 23-26 in Chicago. The LT Pro 48 will be used throughout league competition, providing players with the consistency, durability, and performance demanded at the highest levels of the sport.
Since its introduction in 2024, the LT Pro 48 has rapidly become one of pickleball's most popular balls for both professional and recreational play. The ball is used extensively across Life Time's athletic country clubs throughout North America and was recently named the Official Ball of Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash).
Designed by Life Time Founder, Chairman and CEO Bahram Akradi and his team, the LT Pro 48 features a 48-hole, precision-molded design engineered to deliver exceptional consistency, durability, and playability. The ball addresses common frustrations experienced by players through symmetrically spaced holes and chamfered edges that help reduce cracking while improving flight characteristics and overall performance.
The LT Pro 48 has also become a preferred choice among many MLP Champions Series players, with strong player demand helping drive the league's decision to select the ball as its official competition ball. The LT Pro 48 pickleball is available now at PickleballCentral.com.
"Our players made it clear that the LT Pro 48 is the ball they trust and want to compete with," said Rod Davis, CEO of MLP Champions Series. "Selecting an official ball is one of the most important decisions we make as a league, and player feedback played a major role in this process. The LT Pro 48 delivers the consistency and quality required for elite competition, and we're excited to partner with Life Time to bring a product our players believe in to every event. MLP Champions Series is home to the best players in the sport, and it's important that we surround them with the best products and partners that support their performance on and off the court."
"The MLP Champions Series is creating new opportunities for some of the most accomplished athletes in pickleball while showcasing the incredible depth of talent in the 50+ game,” said Taylor Loomis, CEO of Pickleball Central. “As pickleball continues to evolve, we're excited to support a league that celebrates high-level competition, sportsmanship, and lifelong athletic achievement. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to growing the game and delivering the products and service players trust at every level."
For more information about Life Time, visit www.lifetime.life or follow on social media at Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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.
About Life Time
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its more than 190 athletic country clubs across the U.S. and Canada, the complimentary and comprehensive Life Time app featuring its L•AI•C™ AI-powered health companion, and more than 30 iconic athletic events. Serving people ages 90 days to 90+ years, the Life Time ecosystem uniquely delivers healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment experiences, a range of unique healthy way of life programs, highly trusted LTH nutritional supplements and more. Recognized as a Great Place to Work®, the company is committed to upholding an exceptional culture for its 45,000 team members.
About Pickleball Central
Founded in 2006, Pickleball Central is the world's oldest and largest specialty pickleball retailer, and a leading authority in the sport. Pickleball Central offers the industry's most comprehensive selection of paddles, balls, nets, footwear, apparel, and accessories from the top brands in pickleball. Beyond retail, Pickleball Central is dedicated to growing the sport through education, community engagement, tournament support, and strategic partnerships across all levels of the game. Pickleball Central serves players of every age and skill level through its ecommerce platform, 150+ pro shops, expert customer service team, and nationwide network of pickleball ambassadors and events. For more information, visit PickleballCentral.com.