Major League Pickleball Will Call Central Park Home In September as MLP New York City Details Announced
In an anticipated announcement, Major League Pickleball confirmed that its first-ever event in New York City will be hosted at CityPickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park, September 19-22.
A total of 12 of the 22 teams in MLP will competing at the iconic location next month, with the New Jersey 5s and Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns and his Carolina Pickleball Club and Jack Sock of the NY Hustlers scheduled to compete.
The 12 teams across Premier and Challenger Level will play a total of 30 matches over four days as they compete for entry in the season-ending MLP Playoffs this November (the top six at each level will earn playoff spots).
Participating teams are highlighted by local favorites:
Erik Tice
The New York Hustlers (Premier Level, 4th place, 24 pts, 1.85 pts/match), featuring Sock and owned by a group headlined by LeBron James’ LRMR Ventures, will play five matches:
- Thu, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. ET vs. Carolina Pickleball Club
- Thu, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. vs. Utah Black Diamonds
- Fri, Sept. 20, at Noon vs. DC Pickleball Team
- Sat, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. vs. New Jersey 5s
- Sun, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. vs. Columbus Sliders
The New Jersey 5s (Premier Level, 6th place, 17 pts, 1.89 pts/matc), led by ALW and an ownership group including Gary Vaynerchuk, will play five matches:
- Fri, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. ET vs. Columbus Sliders
- Sat, Sept. 21, at Noon vs. Carolina Pickleball Club
- Sat, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. vs. New York Hustlers
- Sun, Sept. 22, at Noon vs. Utah Black Diamonds
- Sun, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m. vs. DC Pickleball Team
The Brooklyn Aces (Challenger Level, 4th place, 15 points, 1.88 pts/match), owned by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, Michael B. Jordan, and Drake, will play five matches:
- Fri, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. ET vs. Miami Pickleball Club
- Fri, Sept. 20, at 1:30 p.m. ET vs. Chicago Slice
- Sat, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. vs. Frisco Pandas
- Sun, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. vs. Florida Smash
- Sun, Sept. 22, at 3:30 p.m. vs. Las Vegas Night Owls
Complete schedule for MLP New York City
