MLP Presented by DoorDash Taps Pain Relief Leader as Title Partner for Dallas Event

We’ve said it before and we will say it again: Brands local and global are lining up to dip their toes into pickleball.

Advil, the leader in pain relief for over four decades now, is the latest.

Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) has announced that Advil will be the title sponsor of Advil Targeted Relief MLP Dallas, set to take place from 24 to 27 July 2025 at Pickler Universe. The four-day event will feature fast-paced, professional coed team pickleball action with major implications for the league’s playoff picture. Tickets are on sale now through Tixr.

Now in its second year as the Official Pain Reliever of MLP presented by DoorDash, Advil continues its commitment to supporting both elite athletes and everyday players. At Pickler Universe, fans can stop by the interactive Advil pop-up booth to experience Advil Targeted Relief firsthand, learn how it works, and engage with brand activations designed to help them feel their best—whether they’re hitting the court or cheering from the sidelines.

“As one of over 20 million amateur pickleball players in the country, I can attest to the importance of Advil for pain relief,” said George Killebrew, Chief Revenue Officer at United Pickleball Association (UPA). “We are so appreciative of Advil and their support of—and partnership with—MLP.”

“Advil is so proud to continue to partner with MLP and support the sport, while providing players with strong, fast, effective pain relief,” said Natalie Halpern, Senior Director of Marketing at Advil. “Our Advil Targeted Relief product is the perfect fit, and we look forward to bringing fans closer to the action while delivering on our mission of helping people confront their pain so they can keep playing the sport they love.” 

As part of the partnership, MLP pro stars Anna Bright (St. Louis Shock) and Hurricane Tyra Black (defending 2024 MLP champion Dallas Flash) will serve as brand ambassadors, wearing the Advil logo on their uniforms during competition and participating in digital content and earned media opportunities that bring the collaboration to life. 

Advil Targeted Relief MLP Dallas will be the ninth of the league’s 10-event 2025 regular season, with nine of the Premier Level’s 16 teams participating in one of their final chances to secure regular season standings points, battle for seeding, and earn entry into the Toray MLP Playoffs – San Diego (15–17 August 2025):

• Carolina Hogs: Roscoe Bellamy, Kaitlyn Christian, Tammy Emmrich,  Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Liz Truluck
• Dallas Flash: Hurricane Tyra Black, Augie Ge, Ivan Jakovljevic, Jorja Johnson, JW Johnson, Tatiana Ruhl
• LA Mad Drops: Wes Burrows, Quang Duong, Danna Funaro, Hunter Johnson, Jade Kawamoto, Catherine Parenteau
• NJ 5s: Meghan Dizon, Christa Gecheva, Will Howells, Craig Johnson, Zane Navratil, Anna Leigh Waters
• NY Hustlers: Felicity Di Laura, Zane Ford, Stephen Madonia, Dominique Schaefer, Helena Spiridis, Donald Young
• Phoenix Flames: Genie Bouchard, Jessie Irvine, Tyson McGuffin, Jack Sock, Pesa Teoni, Alex Walker    
• SoCal Hard Eights: Judit Castillo, Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, John Lucian Goins, Jalina Ingram, Irina Tereschenko
• St. Louis Shock: Anna Bright, Cailyn Campbell, Kate Fahey, Erik Lange, Hayden Patriquin, Gabriel Tardio
• Texas Ranchers: Christian Alshon, Rafa Hewett, Helena Jansen, Eric Oncins, Tina Pisnik, Etta Tuionetoa