Top 3 overall storylines for the epic regular season finale:

• Will the tied top two teams (Fives and Shock) win their groups to set up a Sunday battle where the winner takes first place overall going into the playoffs? NOTE: Both teams have clinched a bye to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. 

• Which of the teams right above and below the playoff cut line will qualify (top 12 make it)? The Slice hold the final spot by the slimmest of 1 point margins. 

• Two byes, three teams - will Columbus maintain its spot in the top 4 and a bye to the quarters (while watching from OH)? If so, will it be the LA Mad Drops or the Brooklyn Pickleball Team that grabs the last bye?

Playoff storylines per team competing in Orlando: 

Group A:

Brooklyn Pickleball Team: Still fighting injuries but secured 18 points in Chicago to give them a chance at a bye, but this is not a picnic if you’re a Brooklyn fan. Here are their two routes to a bye: (1) Win Group A which requires a win over the St. Louis Shock or (2) finish 6 points better than the LA Mad Drops who are in Group B. 

Las Vegas Night Owls: Sit in 13th place, one point out of the final playoff spot. So, they must: (1) play well enough to qualify for Super Sunday by finishing in the top 4 in Group A and/or (2) win their Super Sunday matchup which could turn into a play-in match. Even this may not be enough as there will be multiple scenarios in play. 

Miami Pickleball Club: They will not go away (even though they have traded away multiple players throughout the season). Resilient. They played well enough in Chicago to still have an outside chance at a playoff spot: a top 2 finish in the Group, plus some help, could get them in but they must finish in front of both Las Vegas and Orlando in this pool. 

Orlando Squeeze: There’s always the OTHER side of the big trade and the hosts will play in their backyard without Federico Staksrud or Millie Rane. They sit 2 points behind the 12th place Chicago Slice and 5 points ahead of Miami. The key for Orlando (and Las Vegas and Miami) is for the teams at the top of Group B to play well and grab the top 3 spots (Fives, Mad Drops, Royals), leaving Chicago and California battling for the final Super Sunday berth. Home cooking will be critical with the new roster. 

Phoenix Flames: This young team has a potentially bright future with a few roster tweaks but will only be playing spoiler in the land of the mouse. They can only make the playoffs if they run the table (AND get help). Even in the land where dreams come true…not gonna happen. 

St. Louis Shock: They left the mid-season tournament on a high note after Operation Deep Freeze worked to perfection in the women’s match in their showdown with the New Jersey Fives. Anything less than a Group win and a Super Sunday matchup with the winner of Group B would be a massive disappointment. They have clinched a bye to the quarterfinals in Newport Beach. 

Group B:

California Black Bears: A big 3rd place finish in Chicago with all of the new pieces in place has put the Black Bears in 11th place heading to Florida. What’s required to stay there: (1) Finish 3rd or 4th in Group B but most importantly finish ahead of the Chicago Slice. That math will likely produce a playoff spot and the higher ranked teams will want to avoid them when choosing an opponent in Dallas in week 1 of the playoffs. 

Carolina Hogs: They will not be joining their Carolina brothers on skates, the Hurricanes, who hoisted a trophy over their heads this summer. The Hogs would love to scrap out a win in Orlando, but they should not be making hotel reservations in Dallas for the playoffs with just 2 points secured so far in 2026. It’s time to look towards 2027 in Carolina. 

Chicago Slice: The home court plus the youth movement pulled the Slice to the final playoff position (12th) thanks to a 4th place finish in the Windy City. But they must find a way to either finish above California or Palm Beach in this group to maintain that position. Upsets in Group A could also create challenges with Las Vegas, Orlando, and even Miami nipping at their heels. There will likely be math.

LA Mad Drops: A disappointing “home” event in San Diego leaves the Mad Drops with work to do in Orlando to secure a bye. Much like Brooklyn will have a close eye on Mad Drops matches, the reverse should be true as well. If LA secures at least a 2nd place finish in Group B, the Brooklyn Pickleball Team must win Group A to pass the Mad Drops in the standings. BONUS QUESTION: what results will the Connor Garnett trade deliver?

New Jersey Fives: After a mid-season tournament finals loss to the Shock, a massive trade brings Federico Staksrud to the circus from, ironically, homestanding Orlando. Whoever finishes with more points between the Shock and the Fives will take the #1 spot into the playoffs (and the riches that provides: choosing your opponent and the mixed and DreamBreaker matchups). Pickle Nation wants the rematch but will another team spoil that party at the Happiest Place on Earth?

Palm Beach Royals: Of all the teams in this event, they are the most set in their spot. In the playoffs, but with no chance at a bye. Their women have been outstanding together – getting the guys going will be the key. They will play a HUGE role in who makes the playoffs and grabs a bye based on their results either good or bad. Either way, Palm Beach will be packing their bags for Texas and the playoffs.

Marquee Matchups:

Group A: Brooklyn Pickleball Team vs. St. Louis Shock (Friday, July 31, 4:30pm EST): Will Brooklyn be able to field a full and (mostly?) healthy lineup to take on the favorites? Group A will be in the balance and so will an all-important bye for Brooklyn (especially given their health situation). 

Group B: New Jersey Fives vs. LA Mad Drops (Saturday, 8/1, 4:30pm EST): Ben. Anna Leigh. For the first time in MLP 2026. And so much more. Staksrud in New Jersey, Garnett in LA. Which trade will have a bigger, immediate impact? The winner of this one most likely plays for the belt on Sunday.