The first round of the expanded 2026 Major League Pickleball (MLP) playoffs has concluded at Pickler Universe in Dallas. With the league extending the postseason to three weekends, the top four seeds earned byes, while seeds 5 through 12 battled for a spot in the quarterfinals.
First Round Matchup Results
The opening weekend featured intense competition, high-stakes drama, and several series that went the distance. Here is how each matchup unfolded:
- Brooklyn Pickleball Team vs. SoCal Hard Eights: This was arguably the most dramatic series of the weekend. In the first match, the Hard Eights’ Cailyn Campbell shined, winning both women’s and mixed doubles 12-10. Campbell and Will Mackinnon saved six match points in their mixed doubles game to force a Dreambreaker, which the Hard Eights won in extra time thanks to Jackie Kawamoto. However, Brooklyn dominated the second match on Sunday, winning 3-1 to advance.
- Dallas Flash vs. Las Vegas Night Owls: This was the most lopsided series of the weekend, with the Flash winning six of the seven games played. The Flash are entering the quarterfinals with significant momentum, having won their last two regular-season events. Notably, Roscoe Bellamy has emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate after successfully transitioning to the left side and increasing his aggressive play at the net.
- Palm Beach Royals vs. Chicago Slice: This series was defined by high-level play and on-court friction. During the second match, Palm Beach’s Zane Navratil hit Chicago’s Casey Diamond with an out-of-the-air speedup and subsequently shouted at him, leading to a timeout. Despite the drama, Palm Beach secured their spot in the quarterfinals, bolstered by an elite women’s team and strong mixed doubles performances.
- Texas Ranchers vs. Atlanta Bouncers: This matchup carried extra intensity due to the history of Kaitlyn Christian, who was traded between the two teams during the season. The series was incredibly tight, requiring two Dreambreakers to decide the outcome. Ultimately, the Texas lineup proved superior in the tie-breaker format, with Nico Acevedo, Eric Oncins, Lea Jansen, and Kaitlyn Christian all delivering strong individual performances to eliminate Atlanta.
The MLP playoffs continue this Friday as the winners of these matchups advance to face the top four seeds in the quarterfinals. Fans can expect a full preview of the upcoming round this Wednesday.
