Major League Pickleball (MLP) is officially expanding to 21 teams for the 2027 season with the addition of the Houston Hammers. Led by new owner Hugh Zhang, the franchise returns to the league after a hiatus, bringing professional team pickleball to one of the country's most significant markets.
The Vision for the Houston Hammers
The Houston Hammers franchise has a long and winding history, having debuted as Team Clean in 2021 before transitioning through several identities, including Clean Cause, Frisco Clean Cause, Frisco Pandas, and most recently, the Nashville Chefs. After sitting out the 2026 season, the team is now focused on establishing a permanent home in Houston. Owner Hugh Zhang plans to build a comprehensive sports brand that goes beyond just the professional roster. The organization has outlined several key initiatives to grow the sport locally:
- Hosting an MLP event: The Hammers intend to bring a major league tournament to the Houston market during the 2027 season.
- Maintaining a senior team: The organization will continue to support their CSP Champion senior team.
- Fielding a junior squad: The team plans to compete in the Jr. MLP circuit with a dedicated Jr. Hammers squad.
- Unified brand development: The ownership group aims to create a cohesive identity that spans across professional, junior, senior, and minor league levels of competition.
This expansion follows a period of immense growth for the league. MLP reported that the 2026 season saw a 69% increase in on-site attendance and an 87% rise in ticket revenue. Digital engagement also surged, with a 32% increase in minutes watched on Pickleballtv, alongside significant growth in social media interactions. The league even set new broadcast records, highlighted by 733,000 viewers tuning in for the championship finals on CBS.
While the return of the Hammers is a major milestone, several logistical details remain to be finalized. The league has indicated that information regarding the 2027 roster acquisition process, keeper deadlines, the upcoming draft, and the full season schedule will be released in the coming weeks. Additionally, the league is navigating leadership transitions, with MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani set to join Apollo Sports Capital, the firm behind a $225 million investment in Pickleball Inc.
