How does MLP prize money work?

MLP uses a team-based format where all players on a team earn the same prize money regardless of their individual contract tier. This differs from PPA, where Gold Card players earn more than Standard or Unsigned players. Team placement in the tournament determines the payout, not individual performance.

Do MLP players all get paid the same?

Yes, all players on the same MLP team receive identical prize money payouts based on how the team finishes. A Gold Card player and an Unsigned player on the same team earn the same amount. This makes MLP unique among the three major pickleball tours.

What is the difference between MLP Midseason and Playoffs?

MLP events are divided into Midseason tournaments and Playoffs. Playoffs typically offer larger prize pools and carry more significance in the overall MLP season standings. Midseason events serve as regular-season competition with their own payout structures.

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How MLP Prize Money Works

A guide to Major League Pickleball's team-based payout system, including how MLP payouts differ from PPA and APP, and how team placement determines individual earnings.

Report Type: Prize Money Guide·Last updated: March 4, 2026

Overview

Major League Pickleball (MLP) operates a team-based format that fundamentally differs from the individual tournament structures of the PPA and APP tours. In MLP, players are drafted onto teams, and all players on a team earn the same prize money payout based on the team's final placement — regardless of individual contract tier.

This is the most important distinction: a Gold Card player and an Unsigned player on the same winning MLP team receive identical prize money. MLP has distributed over $1.5 million in tracked prize money across its events to date.

Team Format

MLP teams are assembled through a draft system. Key features:

Teams typically consist of players spanning different skill levels and specialties
Rosters are built through an annual draft where team owners select players
Each team competes as a unit across multiple match formats during an event
Team results — not individual match records — determine prize money distribution

Season Structure

MLP events fall into two categories, each with their own payout structures:

Event Type	Description	Prize Level
Midseason	Regular-season team competitions held throughout the year	Standard
Playoffs	End-of-season championship events with the highest stakes	Highest

Playoff events carry significantly larger prize pools, making late-season team performance especially valuable for player earnings.

How Payouts Work

MLP prize money is distributed per player based on team placement. Critical differences from PPA:

Equal payouts per team: Every player on a team earns the same amount. No tier multipliers apply.
Team placement determines payout: Winning teams earn the top payout, with decreasing amounts for lower placements.
No discipline split: Unlike PPA and APP, there are no separate prize pools for Singles, Doubles, and Mixed. Earnings come from the team event.

Key Difference from PPA

The core economic difference between MLP and PPA comes down to contract tier treatment:

Feature	PPA	MLP
Tier affects payout?	Yes — Gold Card: 1.0x, Standard: ~0.4x	No — all team members paid equally
Payout basis	Individual placement per discipline	Team placement
Multiple earnings per event?	Yes (up to 5 disciplines)	One payout per event

This structure means MLP can be especially valuable for players who hold lower-tier PPA contracts, since they receive the same team payout as Gold Card teammates.

Where to Find Current MLP Payouts

DinkBank tracks MLP prize money alongside PPA and APP earnings:

View MLP Prize Money Tables →

All figures are DinkBank Confirmed or DinkBank Estimate based on official league documentation. See the Methodology page for details on data collection and verification.