THE WAIT IS OVER. THE TRUTH STARTS TODAY.
THE WAIT IS OVER. THE TRUTH STARTS TODAY.
MLP Playoffs land in Dallas — and on the courts of Pickler Universe, the race to crown this season's absolute queen is just getting started.
Four months of regular season. Twenty teams fighting for twelve spots. And now it all comes down to this: three days, eight teams, and one question nobody can answer yet — who survives Dallas?
On Saturday, August 6, Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas stops being a court and becomes a battlefield. It's the same venue that opened the regular season back in May. Now it closes it out the hardest way possible: single elimination, no room for error, no second leg to save you.
The Ones Who Already Earned The Right To Wait
New Jersey 5s clinched the No. 1 seed the most dramatic way possible — beating St. Louis Shock 3-1 in what's already being called one of the best matches in league history. The deciding point belonged to Anna Leigh Waters and Noe Khlif, who won a 100-plus-shot mixed doubles rally already being talked about as one of the greatest points in league history — with Jorja Johnson closing out the match alongside Federico Staksrud, who was making his debut under full pressure right after being traded. Alongside St. Louis, Los Angeles Mad Drops, and Columbus Sliders, the season's top four teams sit back and watch from Newport Beach, waiting for their opponent.
But while they rest, eight other teams are about to put it all on the line in Dallas — and with them, some of the best players in the world looking to write their name into this postseason.
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The Fight For The Crown
If Orlando made one thing clear, it's that this season doesn't have a single favorite to rule the playoffs — it has several. Anna Leigh Waters, fresh off that historic point, arrives in Dallas as one of the most dominant players on tour. Kate Fahey, playing for Los Angeles Mad Drops, and Anna Bright, suiting up for Brooklyn, are part of the select group of names who can flip any series with a single match.
And at Dallas Flash, hosts riding an 11-match winning streak, Danni-Elle Townsend arrives determined to add her name to that conversation. The cover star of our August issue, Townsend takes on Las Vegas Night Owls on her own court, in front of her own crowd — with the chance to prove why her signing in June, alongside Alix Truong, completely transformed the team.
Four names. One crown. And the fight for it is just getting started.
The Other Three Matchups That Will Define The Weekend
Brooklyn Pickleball Team vs. SoCal Hard Eights — Brooklyn is dealing with injuries for the second straight season. Fully healthy, they're one of the most dangerous teams in the league. The question is whether resting their stars strategically was enough.
Palm Beach Royals vs. Chicago Slice — Chicago snuck into the playoffs thanks to teenage talent Elsie Hendershot, just 13 years old, and John Lucian Goins. Palm Beach, in their debut season in the league, comes in as the favorite — but Chicago's momentum can't be ignored.
Texas Ranchers vs. Atlanta Bouncers — the closest matchup of the weekend. No clear favorite. No safe prediction. Just pure pickleball.
The Format Shows No Mercy
Every series is best-of-three. Seeds No. 5-8 picked their opponents from seeds No. 9-12 — Brooklyn chose first, Dallas right after. Series winners advance to the quarterfinals in Newport Beach, where the drama starts all over again.
No rematch. No regular season to forgive a bad weekend. You either win, or you watch the playoffs from your couch.
Matches kick off Friday, August 6 at 2:00 PM, with full coverage on Pickleball TV and its app.
So to all our fellow pickleball lovers — the talk is over, along with whoever's racking up the most likes and views. It's time for every athlete in this playoff to show who really runs things — with their game, not with talk. This competition promises us fans a full plate of great pickleball, served up right.
So enjoy the meal — see you in the next edition.
THE WAIT IS OVER. THE TRUTH STARTS TODAY.
MLP Playoffs land in Dallas — and on the courts of Pickler Universe, the race to crown this season's absolute queen is just getting started.
Four months of regular season. Twenty teams fighting for twelve spots. And now it all comes down to this: three days, eight teams, and one question nobody can answer yet — who survives Dallas?
On Saturday, August 6, Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas stops being a court and becomes a battlefield. It's the same venue that opened the regular season back in May. Now it closes it out the hardest way possible: single elimination, no room for error, no second leg to save you.
The Ones Who Already Earned The Right To Wait
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New Jersey 5s clinched the No. 1 seed the most dramatic way possible — beating St. Louis Shock 3-1 in what's already being called one of the best matches in league history. The deciding point belonged to Anna Leigh Waters and Noe Khlif, who won a 100-plus-shot mixed doubles rally already being talked about as one of the greatest points in league history — with Jorja Johnson closing out the match alongside Federico Staksrud, who was making his debut under full pressure right after being traded. Alongside St. Louis, Los Angeles Mad Drops, and Columbus Sliders, the season's top four teams sit back and watch from Newport Beach, waiting for their opponent.
But while they rest, eight other teams are about to put it all on the line in Dallas — and with them, some of the best players in the world looking to write their name into this postseason.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Fight For The Crown
If Orlando made one thing clear, it's that this season doesn't have a single favorite to rule the playoffs — it has several. Anna Leigh Waters, fresh off that historic point, arrives in Dallas as one of the most dominant players on tour. Kate Fahey, playing for Los Angeles Mad Drops, and Anna Bright, suiting up for Brooklyn, are part of the select group of names who can flip any series with a single match.
And at Dallas Flash, hosts riding an 11-match winning streak, Danni-Elle Townsend arrives determined to add her name to that conversation. The cover star of our August issue, Townsend takes on Las Vegas Night Owls on her own court, in front of her own crowd — with the chance to prove why her signing in June, alongside Alix Truong, completely transformed the team.
Four names. One crown. And the fight for it is just getting started.
The Other Three Matchups That Will Define The Weekend
Brooklyn Pickleball Team vs. SoCal Hard Eights — Brooklyn is dealing with injuries for the second straight season. Fully healthy, they're one of the most dangerous teams in the league. The question is whether resting their stars strategically was enough.
Palm Beach Royals vs. Chicago Slice — Chicago snuck into the playoffs thanks to teenage talent Elsie Hendershot, just 13 years old, and John Lucian Goins. Palm Beach, in their debut season in the league, comes in as the favorite — but Chicago's momentum can't be ignored.
Texas Ranchers vs. Atlanta Bouncers — the closest matchup of the weekend. No clear favorite. No safe prediction. Just pure pickleball.
The Format Shows No Mercy
Every series is best-of-three. Seeds No. 5-8 picked their opponents from seeds No. 9-12 — Brooklyn chose first, Dallas right after. Series winners advance to the quarterfinals in Newport Beach, where the drama starts all over again.
No rematch. No regular season to forgive a bad weekend. You either win, or you watch the playoffs from your couch.
Matches kick off Friday, August 6 at 2:00 PM, with full coverage on Pickleball TV and its app.
So to all our fellow pickleball lovers — the talk is over, along with whoever's racking up the most likes and views. It's time for every athlete in this playoff to show who really runs things — with their game, not with talk. This competition promises us fans a full plate of great pickleball, served up right.
So enjoy the meal — see you in the next edition.
