The next dink heard ’round the world could be right down the street. Major League Pickleball is bringing its flagship pro team competition to St. Pete, with the tournament welcoming the top 60 pickleball players in the world to the Sunshine City.
A premier MLP event, the tournament will take place June 17-21 and is being hosted at the newly-opened St. Pete Athletic, 680 28th Street South. Featuring the league’s signature coed, team-based format, the competition blends elite performance with fast-paced, high-stakes match play, delivering one of the most engaging experiences in modern sport.
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It’s one of the biggest tournaments of the year, hosted by local MLP team the Florida Smash, with major implications in the road to the Major League Pickleball playoffs. For that weekend, St. Pete and its new pickleball and social club will be the center of the pickleball world.
As teams battle for critical standings points on the road to the 2026 MLP Playoffs, organizers says fans will be able to witness many of the world’s top players competing in a format “built for intensity, strategy, and crowd energy.” Matches feature men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a decisive “DreamBreaker” tiebreaker.
“After four years in Major League Pickleball, this is the first time the Florida Smash will compete on home turf,” said Graham D’Amico, Florida Smash Owner. “We’re excited to bring the best format in pickleball, and the energy that comes with it, to the St. Pete community.”
We should make clear, this isn’t anything like a stuffy tennis match. Major League Pickleball is known for creating a festival-like atmosphere at its events. The elite competition on the court is complemented by music, team rivalries, and fan interaction, drawing some of the most passionate crowds in the sport. Set against the backdrop of the shiny new St. Pete Athletic, it will be a spectacle unlike unique to the city.
Tickets are available here, with single-day and all-tournament options available.
Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 20 teams, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association (UPA), bringing together the leading pro pickleball organizations under a single entity.
The Florida Smash was formed in 2022 by Travis Rettenmaier, Graham DAmico, Julio DePietro, Molly Joseph and Andrew Olson. Travis and Graham met on the local pickleball courts at Crescent Lake Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. With the unwavering support of Tampa Bay, they were given the opportunity to own a Major League Pickleball team and in turn represent the greatest pickleball community in the world.
