St. Louis Shock Capture Perfect 5-0 Home Tournament, Claim First Place in MLP Standings

Record Crowd Witnesses Dominant Performance at Marathon MLP St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Shock delivered a spectacular performance at Marathon MLP St. Louis, posting a perfect 5-0 record at Chaifetz Arena in what marked the first Major League Pickleball tournament ever held in a professional-level arena. The historic four-day event showcased the sport's evolution as record crowds witnessed the Shock capture their home tournament championship and claim first place in the Major League Pickleball standings.

Playing in front of the largest crowds in MLP history within the confines of a premier sports venue, the Shock demonstrated the power of home-court advantage while elevating professional pickleball to unprecedented heights. The tournament's success at Chaifetz Arena represents a watershed moment for the sport, proving that Major League Pickleball belongs on the biggest stages in American sports.

The Shock's dominant event run included convincing wins over Atlanta Bouncers (4-0), Columbus Sliders (3-1), Chicago Slice (3-2), Dallas Flash (3-1), and Brooklyn Pickleball Team (3-1), establishing them as the team to beat heading into the their final regular season event in Dallas.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

July 17 - Shock def. Atlanta Bouncers 4-0 The Shock opened MLP St. Louis with authority, sweeping the Atlanta Bouncers behind stellar performances from Anna Bright and Kate Fahey in women's doubles and Hayden Patriquin and Gabriel Tardio anchoring the men's side.

July 18 - Shock def. Columbus Sliders 3-1 In another dominant performance, the Shock controlled the match from start to finish, showcasing the balanced attack that has made them the league's top team.

July 19 - Shock def. Chicago Slice 3-2 (Afternoon) The Shock faced their toughest test against Chicago Slice, prevailing in a thrilling dreambreaker match 21-13 that had the home crowd on their feet throughout the decisive game.

July 19 - Shock def. Dallas Flash 3-1 (Evening) In a rematch of the Mid-Season Tournament championship, the Shock exacted revenge on Dallas Flash with a convincing 3-1 victory.

July 20 - Shock def. Brooklyn Pickleball Team 3-1 (ESPN2) The Shock capped their perfect event with a nationally televised victory over Brooklyn, cementing their status as the league's premier team in front of a national ESPN2 audience.

"The energy from our home crowd was absolutely electric throughout the entire tournament," said Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis Shock. "We set attendance records, and the support from our fans gave our players an incredible boost. This was everything we envisioned when we dreamed of bringing Major League Pickleball to St. Louis."

RECORD ATTENDANCE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Marathon MLP St. Louis shattered attendance expectations, with record crowds filling Chaifetz Arena throughout the four-day event. The event's success was amplified by the tremendous support from presenting sponsor Marathon Petroleum, along with premier partners O2 Sports Insurance, Charles Schwab, and MARS.

O2 Sports Insurance, the Shock's primary jersey sponsor, sponsored a special replica jersey giveaway for the first 1,000 fans on Sunday, adding to the electric atmosphere during the nationally televised ESPN2 broadcast.

"The response from the St. Louis community exceeded our wildest expectations," added Haines. "Having our partners like O2 Sports Insurance, Charles Schwab, MARS, and Marathon Petroleum supporting this vision allowed us to create something truly special. The fans showed up in record numbers and created an atmosphere unlike anything we've experienced in Major League Pickleball."

FIRST PLACE STANDINGS

The perfect 5-0 home tournament performance propelled the Shock to first place in the MLP standings with an 18-1 record. The team now leads Brooklyn Pickleball Team (18-7) and Dallas Flash (17-2) heading into the final regular season event.

CURRENT MLP STANDINGS (By Points Per Match):

1.      St. Louis Shock (18-1, 3.05 PPM)

2.      Dallas Flash (17-2, 2.89 PPM)

3.      New Jersey 5s (12-3, 2.53 PPM)

4.      Brooklyn Pickleball Team (18-7, 2.24 PPM)

5.      Columbus Sliders (18-7, 2.08 PPM)

6.      Los Angeles Mad Drops (14-5, 1.95 PPM)

7.      Texas Ranchers (8-6, 1.93 PPM)

8.      Orlando Squeeze (12-8, 1.70 PPM)

9.      Utah Black Diamonds (8-12, 1.15 PPM)

10.  Miami Pickleball Club (7-13, 0.95 PPM)

11.  Carolina Hogs (5-14, 0.89 PPM)

12.  Chicago Slice (5-15, 0.85 PPM)

13.  Atlanta Bouncers (4-16, 0.70 PPM)

14.  Phoenix Flames (4-15, 0.68 PPM)

15.  SoCal Hard Eights (3-16, 0.63 PPM)

16.  New York Hustlers (3-16, 0.42 PPM)

DALLAS FINALE AWAITS

The Shock will conclude their regular season this week in Dallas, where they will look to maintain their first-place standing and secure the top seed for the upcoming MLP playoffs. The team's 5-0 performance at home has positioned them as the clear championship favorite entering the postseason.

"This event proved what we've believed all along – this team is special," concluded Haines. "Now we head to Dallas with momentum and confidence, knowing we have the best fans in Major League Pickleball supporting us every step of the way."

The Shock's championship run begins with their final regular season matches in Dallas, where they will aim to complete one of the most dominant seasons in Major League Pickleball history.

About the St. Louis Shock:

The St. Louis Shock is a premier professional pickleball franchise competing in Major League Pickleball (MLP). Founded in 2023, the organization has quickly established itself as an industry innovator both on and off the court. Led by one of the youngest and most dynamic player rosters in the league, the Shock competes at the highest level of professional pickleball while developing the sport's next generation through its pioneering Minor League Pickleball program. With a commitment to community engagement, player development, and entertainment excellence, the Shock is redefining the pickleball experience for fans, players, and partners alike. The team will host Marathon MLP St. Louis at Chaifetz Arena July 17-20, 2025. For more information, visit www.stlshock.com or follow @STLShockMLP on social media.