
Sofia Sewing signs UPA contract, will be in 2026 MLP Player Pool
Sofia Sewing will be in the 2026 Major League Pickleball Player Pool after signing a contract with the United Pickleball Association earlier this week.
Excited to have Sofia available for @MajorLeaguePB this summer. Going to be a great addition to the player pool! https://t.co/KsbSDJv042
— Connor Pardoe (@connorpardoe_pb) January 29, 2026
The contract will make Sewing—who hasn’t played on the PPA Tour since 2024—eligible to compete in Major League Pickleball in 2026 while she fulfills her obligations on the APP Tour before transitioning to the PPA Tour in 2027 and beyond.
For reference, this is the same structure of the contract that Will Howells signed in 2025 before he began competing full-time on the PPA Tour in 2026.
Sewing—who some believe is already a top 10 women’s singles player on the PPA Tour—will be one of the biggest names available to MLP teams heading into the Free Agency draft.
The Sofia Sewing grab by UPA is a good one. She’s playing app and mlp this year, and will move fully to UPA (playing ppa and mlp next year). She’s one of the only females that can compete in all 3 divisions. And is extremely marketable.
— Pickleball Chick (@pickleballchic) January 30, 2026
The draft will take place on Feb. 27, a few weeks after the Player Keeper Deadline passes on Feb. 15.
Related articles

2026 Major League Pickleball trades and analysis
Stay up to date on the latest trades for the 2026 MLP season.
16 hours ago
-Will Daughton

The Pat McAfee Show welcomes Anna Leigh Waters ahead of Super Bowl
The World No. 1 clearly enjoyed the experience.
19 hours ago
-Victoria Radnothy

No more Challenger: Breaking down the newest MLP rules
The 2026 Major League Pickleball season will now feature 20 teams competing in a single tier of competition.
1 day ago
-Will Daughton

Anna Leigh Waters visits Nike headquarters to help shape pickleball gear
Her knowledge and experience will guide the company as it steps into the space.
1 day ago
-Victoria Radnothy