The countdown is on. Draft day is January 27, 2026, and registration to enter the player pool is officially open.
For the next two months, aspiring CNPL players have their window to register for what promises to be the most anticipated draft in league history.
Whether you're a seasoned competitor looking to return to the league or a rising star ready to make your mark, the path to the CNPL runs through draft night and your journey starts now.
The Timeline That Matters
- Registration Window: November 15, 2025 through January 19, 2026
- Draft Day: January 27, 2026
- Registration Fee: $50 CAD for returning players | $100 CAD for new registrations
The draft pool closes on January 19, giving teams exactly one week to finalize their strategies before picks begin on January 27.
Once registration closes, the field is set. If you're not registered by January 19, you're not getting drafted.
The sooner you register, the sooner teams can start looking at your film and match results. There is a HUGE advantage to being registered early.
What You Need to Know
This year's draft features four rounds across eight teams: Prairie Pronghorns, Detroit-Windsor Drive, Vancouver Owls, London Smash, Southwestern Ontario Brewers, Northern Lights, Toronto United, and Montreal Lions.
Each team enters draft night with six total roster spots to fill, though all teams have already locked in at least two key players through re-signings and free agency.
Teams like the Vancouver Owls have secured their core with Anna Dyachenko and Armaan Jiwa Mawji. Toronto United locked in Matt Kawamoto, Max Wild and Jada Bui. The Northern Lights retained Joel Pelletier and Danielle Boss.
These moves shape the draft landscape. Teams with more re-signed players draft later, creating opportunities for talent to land with clubs holding earlier picks.
The Owls, Lights, and Pronghorns hold the most cards, with four draft picks each vs three draft picks for the Drive, Brewers, Lions, United, and Smash.
Who Can Register?
To be eligible for the 2026 CNPL Draft, you must meet one of the following qualification criteria:
- Previous CNPL roster player: Played in the 2025 season
- Recognized league contract: Competed in MLP (US or Australia) or NPL (Australia) during 2025
- Qualifier tournament participation: Competed in an official Dink Minor League Canada event in 2025 at the DUPR 20 or DUPR 22 level
- Showdown participation: Competed in a CNPL team-hosted qualifier event in 2025 (including March 2025 CNPL Showdowns)
- Elite player exemption: Team owners will consider exemptions for top international players on an extremely limited ad hoc basis
If you need to qualify and haven't yet, there's still time. Multiple qualifier events are scheduled through December and January, giving players across Canada the chance to earn their spot in the draft pool.
View all qualifier events and details →
Visa Requirements
Visa status must be established prior to September 1, 2025. This means if you became a permanent resident in Canada after September 2, 2025, you would not yet qualify as Canadian for the 2026 season.
Teams may carry one international player plus one temporary visa or work permit holder. During registration, you'll select your category: Canadian, Canadian permit holder, or non-Canadian.
What Happens After You Register?
Once you're registered, you're in the pool. Teams will evaluate talent, review performance data, and build their draft boards leading up to January 27.
On draft day, front offices will make their selections live, filling out rosters for the 2026 season. Draft position determines your contract — the league operates on a structured salary scale based on draft round.
Every drafted player receives travel support and the opportunity to compete at the highest level of Canadian pickleball across a 7-event regular season running from May through August. The season wraps up after the Canadian Open in early September with the Championship Finals in late September.
The Stakes Are Real
The 2026 season launches with the Opener on May 9-10 in Oakville, at CourtX hosted by Toronto United Pickleball Club.
From there, teams will battle through four splits and two major events before the Championship Weekend decides the C4 champion.
27 of 48 roster spots remain. Four rounds. One draft day.
The league's fourth season is taking shape, and the competition has never been fiercer. With proven stars like Jessica Kawamoto, Joel Pelletier, Ryan Torresin, Jada Bui, and Ernesto Fajardo already locked into rosters, the draft will determine which emerging players join them in the battle for the C4 championship.
Register Now
The clock is ticking — be at the front of the line and top of mind for the CNPL team owners. You have until January 19, 2026, to get your name in the pool.
Don't miss your shot at the CNPL.