Major League Pickleball playoffs arrive in San Diego with celebrity owners like Drew Brees and LeBron James backing teams in the fast-growing sport's professional circuit.

San Diego

The Major League Pickleball (MLP) playoffs are being hosted at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, marking the first time the event has taken place in the city. The professional circuit, which has seen a surge in popularity alongside the amateur game, features 22 co-ed teams and draws high-profile owners such as Drew Brees, LeBron James, and Tom Brady.

Many of the league's top players, including former tennis professionals, have transitioned to pickleball as the sport gains momentum. MLP commissioner Samin Adwani expressed confidence in pickleball's continued rise, predicting it will become a major sport on par with established leagues. Tickets for the event are available to the public.

Major League Pickleball playoffs make first-ever stop in San Diego

This weekend, the center of the Pickleball universe is here at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma as the Major League Pickleball playoffs make their first ever stop in San Diego. Pro Pickleball is here. The amateur game has taken off. There's so many people playing. There's courts being built. And so it was only a matter of time for Pro Pickleball to finally arrive on the scene and I feel like it's finally made it. Samin Adwani is the commissioner of Major League Pickleball, a circuit attracting a host of celebrity team owners even with a $15 million franchise fee. Drew Brees is a great example. He's going to be out here this weekend supporting his team, the L.A. Mad Drops. You've got LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kim Clysters, some amazing team owners all across Major League Pickleball. And it's really fun for us to get an opportunity for them to join in on the growth of the sport. Many of the top players, like Texas Rancher star Eric Onsens, were former tennis players who made the switch after seeing Pickleball for the first time. What is this? What is this sport? It's like mini tennis and then we wanted to try it. The community took us in and we started playing every day in the afternoon, like the open play hours in the public parks. The 22 MLP teams are all co-ed with men's, women's and mixed play part of every tournament. And if Adwani is right, you'll be seeing a lot more Pickleball in the near future. Pickleball is going to be a Tier 1 sport. It's going to be up there with the NBA, the NFL, Major League Soccer. I have no doubt about it. The competition runs through Sunday. Tickets start at $25. In Point Loma, I'm Ben Higgins, ABC 10 News. Ben covers local athletes and teams. Send him your story ideas by scanning the QR code on your screen or emailing him at ben.higgins at 10news.com.

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Anchorage

Ukraine Invasion

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

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Washington

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London

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Jacksonville

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Geneva

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Kyiv

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New York

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Birmingham

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Madrid

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Brussels

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Breakdown