Major League Pickleball is expanding its professional footprint well beyond North America, with the 2026 season featuring significant developments in both Australia and Asia. While the Australian league has matured into a structured, multi-tier system, the newly launched Asian circuit is testing a unique, high-stakes draft model to bridge domestic and international talent.
Key Differences Between MLP Australia and MLP Asia
The two leagues operate under the same brand but utilize distinct organizational strategies to foster growth in their respective regions. Here are the primary structural differences and operational details for each:
- MLP Australia's Tiered System: The league is divided into three distinct levels: Premier, DUPR 22, and Champions 50+. All eight franchises are represented across these divisions, with The Dink Minor League Pickleball Australia serving as the official qualification pathway for players looking to move up to the DUPR 22 or Champions levels.
- MLP Australia's Premier Format: The Premier division features eight franchises with four-player rosters (two men, two women). The match format mirrors the U.S. version, consisting of women's doubles, men's doubles, and two mixed doubles games, followed by a DreamBreaker tie-breaker if the match score is tied 2-2.
- MLP Australia's Roster Restrictions: To prioritize the development of local talent from Australia and New Zealand, each Premier team is limited to a maximum of one international player.
- MLP Asia's Roster Composition: Unlike the Australian model, MLP Asia teams consist of six players: three domestic players and three international pros. Each team was required to select their domestic trio first, designating one as the captain, before moving to an International Draft to fill the final three spots.
- MLP Asia's Unique Draft Economics: The Asian league introduced a creative financial model where each franchise was given a $250,000 spending cap. This budget was not just for player salaries; teams were required to use these funds to bid for their draft positions in each of the three rounds of the International Draft.
- MLP Asia's Geographic Reach: The inaugural six-team season spans across several major markets, featuring the China Dragon Warriors, Hong Kong Cannons, Malaysia Malayan Stripes, Philippines Manila Helios, Team Tokyo, and Vietnam Viet Panthers.
The Australian league, which began its season on September 18 in Melbourne, continues to serve as a proven pipeline for talent, with players like Danni-Elle Townsend and Sahra Dennehy successfully transitioning from the Australian circuit to the U.S. professional stage. Meanwhile, MLP Asia is set to debut its matches on November 13, bringing together a diverse mix of domestic talent and international stars like Tama Shimabukuro, Kaitlyn Christian, and Lacy Schneemann.
