The 2026 Major League Pickleball Australia (MLP Australia) season has reached its midpoint after two out of four scheduled events. The league features eight teams primarily composed of players from Australia and New Zealand, distinguishing it from the US and Asia counterparts. The season kicked off on September 20 in Melbourne, followed by the second event in Brisbane on October 11, with the remaining two scheduled for November in Gold Coast and Sydney. Each weekend includes a round robin group stage followed by playoffs, with the season’s playoff weekend expected in December.

In the opening event in Melbourne, The Coasters, led by Danni-Elle Townsend, captured the first tournament title after strong performances, beating the Northern Crocs and Brisbane Breakers who both went undefeated in group play. The Northern Crocs, with captain Andie Dikosavljevic, started the season well but fell short in the playoffs. The competition format and scheduling allow all teams to compete each weekend, fostering excitement and parity within the league.

The second event in Brisbane brought more surprises, as several top seeds were upset early. Pacific Flame, captained by Sahra Dennehy, improved dramatically from a winless first event to finish undefeated in the group stage but was ultimately defeated by the Northern Crocs in the finals. The Northern Crocs claimed the Brisbane title and established themselves as the leading team of the season, with strong overall consistency across the first two events.

After the first half of the season, the Northern Crocs top the standings with a first and second place finish, followed by The Coasters in second place. Points are awarded based on finishing positions, creating a competitive race for playoff seeding. The league will take a short break before resuming in November. Meanwhile, the upcoming Australia Cup will feature top Australian players competing against visiting US professionals, adding international intrigue to the regional pickleball scene.