Fans of Major League Pickleball (MLP) likely noticed something new during title celebrations this season: the Super Sunday Belt.

The LA Mad Drops were the first team to raise the belt after their victory at the kickoff event in Dallas, while the New Jersey 5s claimed it during MLP Columbus. Throughout the 2026 campaign, the belt will be passed from one event winner to the next.

Mad Drops general manager Chris Cantino said it was special to earn the coveted prize.

“Being the first team to lift the Super Sunday Belt is something we’ll always remember. Dallas was the first big test for our team, and to come out as champions makes it even more meaningful,” he mentioned. “We know one event doesn’t define a season, but it’s a satisfying reward for the work our players and staff have put in and a special moment for our fans. It’s an honor for the LA Mad Drops to be the first team to be awarded with this new tradition.”

The bright orange creation features gold plates embossed with the MLP logo, along with silver snaps that let players wear it, just like New Jersey 5s owner and general manager Ryan Harwood. It’s a bold finishing touch for any winning team, signaling to everyone who the champions are.

For a young and evolving sport like professional pickleball, this adds another fun tradition to the mix, but for MLP, it feels especially fitting.

MLP has built its identity around high energy, loud crowds, and intense rivalries. The more passion and enthusiasm from both players and fans, the better—and the belt captures that spirit perfectly. It’s a symbol most commonly associated with combat sports like boxing, MMA, and WWE, where bold personalities and high emotion are part of the spectacle. That same energy translates naturally to the MLP environment, making the belt a strong and fitting representation of the league.

There’s also something distinct about a wearable prize. Trophies and medals can start to feel routine, especially for dominant players like Anna Leigh Waters or Ben Johns, but a belt stands out. After a long PPA season, it gives victories a different look and feel, making the moment more unique and memorable.

I also love the idea of a wearable item representing victory. Think of Super Bowl rings or the iconic Masters Green Jacket. There’s something uniquely meaningful about being able to physically wear your achievement. A trophy often ends up on a shelf collecting dust, but a ring, jacket, or belt becomes something you can bring out and wear on special occasions.

If MLP continues to build on this tradition, the possibilities for the belt are endless. It could evolve each season with new colors, designs, or logos to reflect the year. For winning teams, fully customized belts engraved with player names and featuring team branding would add another layer of significance. This has the potential to become one of the sport’s coolest and most recognizable traditions.

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