Major League Pickleball (MLP) is implementing three new rules for 2025.

The changes, posted to their website's 2025 Competition Structure Overview, were updated as of Feb. 21, 2025.

MLP told The Dink that these changes are being put in place to allow for all deserving players to receive playing time while improving the league's overall product quality.

First, a new rule regarding the upcoming draft on Sunday, March 2nd.

All teams must have four (4) players rostered - two (2) men and two (2) women - before any team is allowed to bid on a draft selection slot for their fifth player. Second, a new rule allowing for four waiver periods at the Premier Level; previously, there was just one waiver period:

• Premier Level Waivers #1: Tuesday, May 6 (after MLP Columbus)
• Premier Level Waivers #2: Tuesday, June 3 (after MLP Phoenix)
• Premier Level Waivers #3: Tuesday, July 1 (after MLP San Clemente)
• Premier Level Waivers #4: Tuesday, July 15 (after Mid-Season Tournament)

These dates, we're told, are all subject to change.

Lastly, and perhaps most consequentially, there's now the opportunity to source, or "steal", another team's 5th or 6th slotted player.

According to MLP:

Teams will designate their top four (4) players on the Monday following an event, and all teams’ fifth and sixth players will be available on Waiver.

In order for another team to claim another team’s fifth or sixth player, they must drop one of their own top four players as the corresponding move.

This updated Premier Level Waivers schedule will replace the originally scheduled lone Premier Waivers date of Wednesday, June 11th.

The lone Challenger Level Waivers will still take place on Wednesday, June 11th.

Major League Pickleball Announces 2025 Updates

Major League Pickleball has announced 2025 Competition Updates. This article covers all the changes in store for 2025.

The Dink PickleballErik Tice

Tice's Takes on the Changes

All Premier Level teams must have all four roster spots filled prior to any other teams selecting their fifth and sixth players

The idea of this makes sense, but I would have liked to see this implemented before the keeper/drop deadline. I think a few teams may have made different decisions, had they known about this rule.

Implementation of four waiver periods for the Premier Level

I understand wanting to ensure the best players are playing on the court to create as much parity as possible. I don't necessarily think these four waiver periods are going to make that happen.

This adds more of a possibility for players moving from team to team, and I am not a fan of that. Only 35 players, of the original 88 players drafted in 2024, will be playing on the same team in 2025. That means roster spots have already had 60% turnover.

I'd like to see MORE roster continuity in 2025, not less. And this rule obviously enforces less roster continuity.

Teams can now source, or "steal", another team's 5th or 6th player

According to the rule, a team can essentially take a 5th or 6th player from one team and drop one of their designated top four players.

I understand this helps with ensuring top players are not "hiding" on teams, and the best talent is playing. However, I think this comes at the detriment of player and team development.

Teams who want to focus on developing the talent that they draft could then implement training sessions, pay for travel and accommodations, and coaching. Then three weeks later, a team could steal that player and all of that work goes out the door.

For a full list of changes and the complete competition structure, check out our article outlining the 2025 changes.