Professional Pickleball Leagues: PPA vs. MLP vs. APP
Professional pickleball has three major circuits: the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, and the APP Tour. Two of them are owned by the same company. They serve different formats and different goals - understanding the difference changes how you watch the sport and explains why the same players appear across multiple leagues.
This guide breaks down each circuit: how it works, who plays, what the structure looks like in 2026, and how recreational players can get involved.
The PPA Tour and MLP are not competing organizations - they are both owned by United Pickleball, founded in 2019. They function as complementary leagues: PPA handles individual rankings, MLP handles team-franchise play. The APP Tour operates independently. Many top players compete across all three circuits during the same calendar year.
Carvana PPA Tour
PPAIndividual circuit • Owner: United Pickleball • Sponsor: CarvanaThe PPA Tour is the premier individual competition circuit - the circuit that determines who the best players in the world are. Points are accumulated across tour stops and tracked in 6 separate disciplines: Women's Doubles (WD), Men's Doubles (MD), Women's Singles (WS), Men's Singles (MS), Women's Mixed Doubles (WX), and Men's Mixed Doubles (MX).
PPA events stream live online and are available at ppatour.com. Ticket purchases go through Tixr. Grounds passes are the most accessible entry point - they cover all courts for the full event day.
Major League Pickleball
MLPTeam franchise • Owner: United Pickleball • Sponsor: DoorDashMLP is professional pickleball's team-sports format. Instead of individual rankings, 24 franchised coed teams compete against each other in a season structure similar to traditional professional sports leagues. Each team match consists of three disciplines played back-to-back: Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
MLP is explicitly entertainment-forward - high production value, celebrity team owners, and events built around the fan experience as much as the competition. A salary cap was introduced for the 2026 season.
24 teams total in 2026 season.
PPA = individual. Who is the best player in the world? MLP = team. Which franchise wins the season? Same parent company, different formats, same top players competing in both.
APP Tour
APPOpen grassroots circuit • Independent organizationThe APP Tour (Association of Pickleball Players) is the open-entry professional circuit. Unlike the PPA, which has an invitation structure for professional players, the APP allows anyone to enter its events - recreational players, semi-pros, and emerging professionals all compete at APP events.
The APP has a distinct ranking system separate from the PPA and positions itself around community access and pathway development for players moving toward professional play. MLP draws talent from both the PPA and APP circuits, so strong APP results can lead to MLP opportunities.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| PPA Tour | MLP | APP Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Individual rankings | Team franchise | Individual, open entry |
| Who can play | Pro + amateur divisions | Franchise contracts | Open to anyone |
| Owner | United Pickleball | United Pickleball | Independent |
| Primary focus | Elite individual ranking | Fan experience, entertainment | Community, grassroots pathway |
| Top players | Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns | Same players on teams | Emerging pros, open field |
| Amateur access | Yes - at every tour stop | No (franchise contract) | Yes - open entry events |
| How to watch | ppatour.com / Tixr | majorleaguepickleball.co | theapp.global |
How Amateurs Can Participate
Every PPA tour stop includes amateur brackets across all skill levels and age groups. Registered amateur players receive a complimentary grounds pass for the entire event week. You play on the same courts the professionals use. Entry fees and registration go through ppatour.com.
The amateur arm of United Pickleball runs a 50-state series and 6 regional events each year open to amateur players at all skill levels. This is separate from the PPA pro tour but uses the same venues and organization.
The APP Tour is open entry - any player can register and compete at any APP event. For recreational players looking to step into a competitive event environment without a professional field cutoff, APP events are the most direct path.
What Gear Do Pro Players Use?
PPA Tour professionals use tour-level paddles with carbon fiber or fiberglass textured faces built for maximum spin and precise control. Many top players have signature paddle models - Ben Johns plays with the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion, Anna Leigh Waters has used Selkirk models. The equipment market has moved significantly toward raw carbon fiber surfaces over the past two years at the professional level.
Browse our gear guides and paddle reviews →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PPA Tour?
The Carvana PPA Tour is the premier individual professional pickleball circuit, running 25 tour stops per year across the US. It determines world rankings in 6 disciplines and is owned by United Pickleball. Amateur divisions are open at every event.
What is Major League Pickleball?
MLP (presented by DoorDash) is a team franchise league with 24 coed teams. Each match plays Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Known for high production value and the DreamBreaker tiebreak format. Owned by United Pickleball, same parent as the PPA.
What is the difference between the PPA and MLP?
PPA is individual rankings - who is the best player. MLP is team-based - which franchise wins the season. Same owner, different formats, same top players competing in both.
What is the APP Tour?
Independent open-entry circuit. Unlike PPA, anyone can enter APP events. Focused on community access and is the main pathway for recreational and semi-pro players entering competitive play.
Can amateurs play in PPA events?
Yes. Every PPA tour stop has amateur divisions. Registered amateurs get a free grounds pass for the full event week and play on the same courts as the pros.
Who are the top professional pickleball players?
As of 2026: Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright lead Women's rankings (tied at 22,800 points). Ben Johns is widely regarded as the greatest men's player in the sport's history. Tyson McGuffin, Jorja Johnson, Parris Todd, and Catherine Parenteau round out the top tier.
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