Major League Pickleball Event Coming To St. Pete For First Time

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Major League Pickleball is coming to St. Petersburg for the first time, hosting the five-day tournament June 17-21 at St. Pete Athletic, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater said in a news release.

The Florida Smash, the hometown team, will host the multi-day tournament, bringing the league's flagship pro team competition to the Tampa Bay area and feature 60 top professional players. Tickets are available online here.

The competition will place St. Petersburg at the center of the professional pickleball schedule as teams compete for standings points on the way to the 2026 MLP Playoffs, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater said.

Major League Pickleball uses a coed, team-based format that includes men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles and a "DreamBreaker" tiebreaker.

The event will bring the Florida Smash, featuring standout local players including Travis Rettenmaier and Paula Rives, before a local crowd for the first time.

"After four years in Major League Pickleball, this is the first time the Florida Smash will compete on home turf," Graham D'Amico, the team’s owner, said. "We're excited to bring the best format in pickleball, and the energy that comes with it, to the St. Pete community."

The event is one of Major League Pickleball’s premier competitions, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater said. MLP events, built around fast-paced, team play, are known for a festival-like atmosphere that includes music, team rivalries and fan interaction.