The Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament is set to take place this week at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in conjunction with the Beer City Open, featuring all 20 teams and four additional teams. This highly anticipated event promises to be an exciting stop on the pro pickleball circuit, with a unique format and high stakes.
The Mid-Season Tournament will follow a double elimination format, where the best a team can finish once they lose is bronze, and the top eight seeds have been given a first-round bye. Seeding was determined in reverse regular season standings order, based on points per event. The winners of the tournament will earn 10 points, with second place earning six points and third place earning four points. The weather outlook for the tournament suggests that Thursday may be the biggest issue, with precipitation forecasted and high humidity levels that could affect the speed of the ball.
Teams and Rosters
The tournament will feature four new teams: Team Australia, Team Canada, Team Europe, and the Collegiate All-Stars. Each of these teams has a unique roster, including:
- Team Australia: Sarah Burr, Zach Grabovic, Mitch Hargreaves, and Talia Saunders
- Team Canada: Mackonner Dy, Kyle Hermetz, Rosie Johanson, Kim Layton, Ryan Torresin, and Jordann Vigna
- Team Europe: Raquel Amaro, Pep Canyadell, Ben Cawston, JM Medina, Kate Morris, and Karolina Owczarek
- Collegiate All-Stars: Kallan Arledge, Lauren Mercado, Mary Monson, and Ryan Morneau
In addition to these new teams, the tournament will also feature the 20 MLP teams, including the Phoenix Flames, Carolina Hogs, Bay Area Breakers, and many more. Each of these teams has a talented roster, with players like Jonathan Truong, Daria Walczak, and Ben Johns competing for their respective teams.
The tournament will be broadcast on various platforms, including Pickleballtv, the Pickleballtv App, FS1, FS2, and FOX. Fans can catch the action live, with exclusive matches airing on FS1 and FOX. The broadcast schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, July 9: Live on FS1, 7PM ET - 9PM ET (Match #16)
- Friday, July 10: Live on FS1, 7PM ET - 9PM ET (QF Match #30)
- Saturday, July 11: Tape Delay on FS2, 7PM ET - 9PM ET (Match TBD)
- Sunday, July 12: Live on FOX, 3PM ET - 5PM ET (Finals Match #43)
With its unique format, talented teams, and high stakes, the MLP Mid-Season Tournament is sure to be an exciting event for pickleball fans. Be sure to tune in to catch all the action and follow your favorite teams as they compete for the top prize.
