Major League Pickleball (MLP) has officially announced the expansion of its professional roster, welcoming the Houston Hammers as the league's 21st franchise for the 2027 season. Led by ownership group head Hugh Zhang, the team aims to establish a comprehensive footprint in the sport by integrating professional, senior, and junior levels under a single brand identity.
Strategic Vision for the Houston Hammers
The Hammers ownership group plans to deeply integrate their organization into the MLP ecosystem while fostering local growth in the Greater Houston area. According to Zhang, the goal is to build a premier sports brand that prioritizes fan engagement and talent development. To achieve this, the organization has outlined several key initiatives for their inaugural season:
- League Event Hosting: The Hammers intend to bring professional pickleball to their home market by hosting an official MLP league event in Houston during the 2027 season.
- Senior Team Integration: The organization will maintain the CSP Champion senior team, incorporating these established athletes into the broader Hammers brand.
- Junior Development: The team will establish a Jr. Hammers squad to participate in the Jr. MLP, focusing on the next generation of talent.
- Brand Ecosystem: By unifying their minor league presence, senior team, and junior program under one banner, the ownership aims to create a cohesive sports legacy within the city.
This expansion comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2026 summer season for MLP. The league reported significant growth across all major metrics compared to 2025, including a 32% increase in PickleballTV minutes watched, a 69% rise in on-site attendance, and an 87% surge in ticket revenue. Broadcast engagement also reached new heights, highlighted by 733,000 viewers for the NYC Finals on CBS and a 106% increase in social media interactions.
As the league prepares for the 2027 season, officials have indicated that further details regarding the Hammers’ player acquisition process, draft dates, keeper deadlines, and the full 2027 summer schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
