ahm NPL Round 4 - Mid Season Festival Preview

Round 4 is not a regular round.

The ahm NPL is reaching its most anticipated checkpoint of the 2026 season so far, as round 4 arrives in the form of Mid-Season Festival (MSF) this weekend. From Friday, May 22 - 24, the NPL is taking over the iconic Racqueteer in Homebush, NSW. All 12 teams. Three events. $40,000 on the line. And for the first time, the doors are open to the public.

3 days. 3 events. Here's how it works:

1. The NPL Mid-Season Teams Cup - $20,000 Prize Pool. All 12 teams go head-to-head in a format shaped entirely by what's already happened. Every match across Rounds 1–3 has contributed to how this weekend unfolds. The season so far has been the qualification round.

2. The Individual & Open Tournament - $15,000 Prize Pool. Running concurrently across the weekend, the Open Tournament features singles and doubles draws open to both NPL contracted pros and the general public. Amateurs on the same courts, the same weekend, as Australia's top players.

3. The State of Origin Showcase - $5,000 + State Pride. Australia's first professional pickleball State of Origin closes out the festival on Sunday. Four teams: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and The Allies competing for state bragging rights.

The twist? None of this touches the main season ladder. No regular season points. No conference implications. The stakes are entirely their own.

Everything you need to know before the weekend:

No Nicola, No Opals?

Queensland's biggest name is out. Three-time state MVP and NPL comeback story Nicola Schoeman will not feature at the Mid-Season Festival. Her absence is significant, and it reshapes the Opals' weekend entirely.

Emily Martin steps in: the undrafted sub who quietly delivered during the Pro Tour rounds in Victoria. Crystal Mildwaters moves up into mixed doubles - a format she knows well. Whether the Opals can absorb the loss of their best player is the question this weekend will answer.

The Heat's Home Ground Advantage

The Heat arrive at full strength. Ashton Chan is back after returning to action in Round 3. Chia has been in MVP form. Selina and Shannon are rolling. The team is shaping up to be terrifyingly complete.

They also don't have to travel. While every other team boards a flight or hits the road, the Heat sleep in their own beds.

Cross-State Matchups

The Swiss format has produced some first-time clashes that have been building all season.

On the men's side: Robertshawe / Wilson vs. Stoker / Henry is appointment viewing across both singles and doubles.

On the women's side: Heat vs. 29ers – Papazyan / Baric against Turulja / Spencer. Both pairs have dominated their respective states. They haven't faced each other yet. This weekend, they do.

Is It Low or High Tide?

The Tide are the dominant force in Victoria and sit third nationally. The question is whether that holds when tested against the Heat and the Outback. A Round 1 matchup against Andy Horridge's rejuvenated Brumbies gives them an immediate answer.

Four Names to Watch For

In a wide-open field, watch for: Harry Brown, Sahil Dang, Katy Hart, and Selina Turulja. All four operate across singles and doubles. All four are capable of carrying a team when it matters. Sunday afternoon -  they'll be in the thick of it.

Venue and Dates

Racqueteer, Homebush NSW. One of the country's best racquet sport facilities. A fitting home for three days of professional pickleball.

Dates: Friday 22 – Sunday 24 May 2026.

Powered by ahm Health Insurance

The Mid-Season Festival is backed by naming rights partner ahm Health Insurance -powering the NPL since day 1.

How to Follow

Can't make it to Homebush?

• Live Scores: Every match in real-time at lader.sport

• Live Stream: All main court action live via NPL Pickleball

The season has been building to this. Three days. Everything on the line.