“With this enlargement, we’re creating extra alternatives for athletes at each stage of their journey,” says NPL CEO Rod Davis
The Nationwide Pickleball League (NPL), a senior professional (age 50+) team-based league that includes 12 groups representing cities throughout the nation, introduced a serious enlargement this week that deepens its group connections whereas increasing its choices to a broader base of gamers.
Notably, NPL will develop past the 50+ professional division by including three new choices:
- A brand new league for elite 40+ gamers
- A brand new league for elite 60+ gamers
- A brand new “Subsequent Up Professionals” league for 50+ gamers
This implies NPL will now have beginner groups representing their cities alongside their present professional league. These divisions include 40+, 60+, and a improvement division for 50+ referred to as “Subsequent Up Professionals” who aspire to be drafted and compete within the NPL’s 50+ professional league.
Every crew division can have an everyday season of occasions earlier than competing for its respective league championship.
“Our mission has all the time been to showcase the unbelievable expertise, athleticism, and competitiveness of gamers over age 50, and we’ve seen nothing however this in our first three seasons of play,” says NPL CEO Rod Davis.
“With this enlargement, we’re creating extra alternatives for athletes at each stage of their journey.”
We’re thrilled to announce a serious enlargement for the 2026 season! The NPL is rising with the addition of three new age-specific divisions:
💥 A brand new league for elite 40+
💥 A brand new league for elite 60+
💥 A brand new “Subsequent Up Professionals” league for 50+ https://t.co/yFSl9aSWMw— Nationwide Pickleball League (@NatPBLeague) September 18, 2025
Lastly, Some Love for 40+
As well as, the league is stepping past the crew format and launching a brand new Event Sequence for skilled and beginner gamers age 40+ in early 2026.
Particular dates and places haven’t been introduced, however preliminary plans name for tournaments to be performed in January, February, March, and April 2026.
Prize cash will probably be awarded in all professional divisions: 40+, 50+, and 60+.
“NPL has expanded with new groups throughout the nation over the previous three years,” says Steven Ungar, co-owner of Austin Ignite. “This new enlargement is extra vertical as we search so as to add extra methods to deepen our ties to our group.”
Provides NPL CEO Rod Davis:
“We’re thrilled to supply a devoted [tournament series] for professional gamers over the age of 40. These gamers carry a wealth of expertise, ardour, and expertise. They deserve a platform to showcase this, and we’re proud to supply it. It’s lengthy overdue.”
Closing Out 2025
The NPL is in its third season.
It would have its regular-season finales this month with simultaneous occasions in Indianapolis, IN, and Atlantic Metropolis, NJ, hosted by the Indy Drivers and Princeton Bruisers, respectively.
The season will culminate subsequent month on the Championship Weekend in Seattle, WA, from October 16-19. All 12 NPL groups will compete for a share of the $100,000 prize pool and the NPL Championship.
