Get ready for some thrilling pickleball action because Major League Pickleball (MLP) is bringing part of its playoffs right here to our backyard. Mark your calendars for November 22-24, as the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona will host the second round of the MLP Playoffs. This comes after the first round kicks off in Dallas at the start of November. The season began with a bang in Atlanta, setting the stage for an exciting series of events.

MLP is rolling out 11 weeks of electrifying pickleball competitions across nine states and Washington, D.C. This includes eight weeks of regular-season matches, an in-season tournament in July, and two thrilling weeks of playoffs. Teams will be battling it out during the regular season to secure their spots in the playoffs, so you can expect some top-tier play.

The league features 22 teams split into two divisions, including our very own Orlando Squeeze, owned by the DeVos family. Last year, the league hosted one of its dynamic tournaments at the impressive Pictona facility in Holly Hill, Volusia County. And speaking of Pictona, don’t miss the Professional Pickleball Association tournament there from October 23-27—another great event for pickleball enthusiasts.

Pickleball’s popularity is skyrocketing! According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2024 Topline Participation Report, over 13.6 million Americans are now hitting the pickleball courts—a whopping 51.8% increase from 2022 to 2023. This surge makes pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for three consecutive years.

Florida is at the heart of this pickleball boom, boasting the second-highest number of courts in the nation with 2,854 as of the end of 2023, just behind California’s 3,589.

So, whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Let’s come together to support our local team and enjoy some fantastic pickleball right here in Lake Nona!

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