MLP Daytona Beach 2025: Can The Shock Stay Perfect, And Will Florida Heat Tip The Scales?

Jun 3

As Major League Pickleball rolls into Daytona Beach, all eyes are on Pictona at Holly Hill, where storylines are already swirling ahead of this crucial stretch in the 2025 season. With only Premier-level teams competing this weekend, every match holds weight in the race toward playoff contention—and perhaps even perfection.

Play begins Thursday, June 5, and runs through Sunday, June 8, with matches streamed live on Pickleballtv from Toray Championship Court.

Here’s what to expect as the action heats up in humid Florida.

3 Key Questions Heading Into Daytona Beach

1. Will St. Louis Shock Run the Table Again?

The Shock have stormed to an 8-0 record, matching the early dominance shown this season by the Dallas Flash. With six matches in Daytona, anything less than a clean sweep might feel like a letdown for this juggernaut squad. But can they sustain the pressure?

2. Will Florida-Based Players Thrive in the Heat?

The sticky humidity of Daytona Beach may serve as the great equalizer—or the ultimate home-court advantage. Players familiar with Florida’s climate could find a much-needed edge in tight matchups.

3. Can the Carolina Hogs Claw Their Way Out of the Basement?

At 0-8, the Ben Johns-led Hogs are still searching for their first win. If they’re to avoid becoming the league’s lone winless team, this weekend could be make or break.

Team-By-Team Storylines

Carolina Hogs (0-8, 2 pts): Ben Johns can’t carry every match alone. Can the team step up in men’s and women’s doubles and finally break through?
Chicago Slice (2-6, 8 pts): If Jimmy “Big Poppa” Ignatowich and Max Freeman find their rhythm, this team still has a path to relevance.
LA Mad Drops (5-4, 15 pts): After battling absences all season, LA may finally field their full lineup. Are they a top-six squad when healthy?
New Jersey 5s (8-2, 23 pts): Quietly dangerous, the 5s are surging. Meghan Dizon’s rising form might be the X-factor in their playoff push.
New York Hustlers (2-5, 5 pts): Can Zane Ford’s unpredictability and Donald Young’s athleticism lift this squad out of the cellar?
SoCal Hard 8s (1-7, 5 pts): Newly promoted from Challenger, Blaine Hovenier has been a bright spot. His 6-2 mixed doubles record shows promise—can he help secure some much-needed wins?
St. Louis Shock (8-0, 23 pts): Dominant so far, the Shock now face the pressure of expectation. Anything short of 6-0 could be seen as underwhelming.
Texas Ranchers (5-3, 16 pts): Consistent but not yet signature. A Sunday showdown with the Shock is the perfect opportunity to make a statement.
Utah Black Diamonds (3-6, 10 pts): Finally picking up momentum in Phoenix, the question now is: can they start taking down teams above them in the standings?

Teams Sitting Out Daytona Beach

Seven Premier teams will not feature in Florida:
Atlanta Bouncers, Brooklyn Pickleball Team, Columbus Sliders, Dallas Flash, Miami Pickleball Club, Orlando Squeeze, and Phoenix Flames. No Challenger teams will compete this weekend.

Marquee Matchups You Won’t Want To Miss

Saturday, June 7 @ 2:30pm ET
Texas Ranchers vs. LA Mad Drops
Two playoff hopefuls fighting for legitimacy. Expect fire.
Sunday, June 8 @ 11:00am ET
Texas Ranchers vs. St. Louis Shock
A potential turning point for the league—can the Ranchers hand the Shock their first loss?
Sunday, June 8 @ 4:15pm ET
Carolina Hogs vs. New Jersey 5s
A star-studded clash between Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, even if the records tell different stories.

Event Details

📍 Venue: Pictona at Holly Hill, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill, FL 32117

Thursday, June 5 – 2:00 PM ET
Friday to Sunday (June 6–8) – 11:00 AM ET

Catch every moment live on Pickleballtv.

Rahul Khadke