Major League Pickleball Breaks Records in First Full Season After PPA Merger
Major League Pickleball (MLP) has surged to new heights in 2025, marking its first full season since merging with the PPA Tour. The consolidation has proven to be a watershed moment for the sport, with the league smashing records across sponsorship, attendance, and media reach, cementing pickleball’s status as one of the fastest-growing professional sports in America.
Source: The Kitchen Pickle
Explosive Growth Across the Board
The 2025 season delivered remarkable year-on-year gains:
Sponsorship revenue more than doubled as global brands rushed to partner with the league.
Ticket revenue soared by 84%, fueled by sellouts across all 13 regular season events
Total attendance climbed 37%, with 50 event days and consistent packed crowds at flagship venues.
Media reach skyrocketed: national broadcaster and local partnerships more than doubled distribution hours, Pickleballtv minutes viewed jumped 141%, and YouTube views surged 230% to 9.6 million.
Social media engagement exploded 407%, with impressions leaping from 46 million in 2023 to over 117 million this season.
Record-Breaking Investments
The business of pickleball is booming, too. The LA Mad Drops set a new high with a $13 million majority stake sale, while the Palm Beach Royals’ $16 million expansion valuation underscored the league’s growing investor appeal.
Fan Appeal and Sponsorship Momentum
High-profile sponsors, including presenting partner DoorDash, helped fuel the growth, alongside health, wellness, and beverage brands. The Finals in New York City shattered attendance and ticket sales records, while CBS drew 436,000 viewers for the most-watched match in MLP history.
A Season Built for Fans
The restructured 2025 season featured marquee Saturday and Sunday night matchups and a stronger playoff format, maximizing fan engagement nationwide. The Columbus Sliders ultimately clinched the championship in a thrilling finale in NYC.
Why It Matters
The merger unified the sport, eliminated bidding wars for top players, and introduced performance-based pay. This creates a more sustainable financial foundation. With stronger contracts, booming media presence, and skyrocketing valuations, MLP is rapidly evolving from a niche passion to a mainstream entertainment property.
Industry observers are calling 2025 the year pickleball made its breakthrough, paving the way for even greater expansion, investment, and fan adoption in the years ahead.
