The third season of Australia’s official professional pickleball league, MLP Australia 2025, has formally opened applications for its upcoming draft.
A total of 28 captains—12 Captains for Premier, 8 for Challenger, and 8 for Masters—will participate in MLP Australia 2025, which will comprise 28 teams for all three levels. There will be 12 teams of 4 in the Premier category, 8 teams of 4 in the Challenger level, and 8 teams of 4 in the Masters division. The total number of players will be 112.
The Premier Draft will take place on 22 January 2025, with applications to close on 13 November 2024. The Challenger and Masters Draft will be held on 7 February 2025, with applications until 23 January 2025. The draft will take place with Captains selecting their picks live on the specified dates.
The 2025 MLPA Season will start on 13 March and run through 17 November, with six events lined up and over $1 million up for grabs:
- MLPA Premier – $510,000
- MLPA Challenger – $100,000
- MLPA Masters – $30,000
- PPAA Pro – $330,000
- PPAA Masters – $70,000
MLPA Australia is also making sure that joining the season will be worthwhile for the captains as they stand to gain significant promotion and opportunities for paid activation, coaching, and promotional events and an inside track on various opportunities with MLPA partners. Aside from that, the Captains will also get:
- Premier – 12 Captains will receive a Season end bonus + performance pay for Top 3 placed Teams. They will receive free entry in PPA Events at each of the MLPA stops.
- Challenger – They will receive free entry in PPA Events at each of the MLPA stops
- Masters – They will receive free entry in PPA Events at each of the MLPA stops
Moreover, even non-Australians can nominate for the draft as a maximum of one international player per team will be allowed in the Premier Level. However, the Challenger and Masters level will be limited to ANZ players only at this time.
