The U.S. Legends 50+ Pickleball League Is Drafting 120 Players for its Inaugural Season

The new, 12-team league debuts this September, providing another platform for competitive team-based play for those 50, 60 and above.

If you’re 50+ and looking to level up your pickleball status, there’s a new league in the mix. And they're actively looking to fill team rosters.

The U.S. Legends Pickleball League, a burgeoning team-based league for players over 50, held its one and only combine in Richmond, Virginia, over the weekend, drawing more than 200 hopefuls vying a spot on one of the 12 teams.

“These are the best of the best from the country,” said USLPL co-founder Michael Cao. “Even though they are in their 50-something, they don't want to slow down. They still want to compete.”

Each team will draft 10 players straight from the combine for a total of 120 players in the league. Teams will have at least four high-level 60+ players, including women and men on their rosters.

The 12 teams include:

• Boston Dragons
• Buffalo Blizzards
• The DelRays (Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, FL)
• DMV (DC/MD/VA) Picklers
• Florida Royals
• Florida Storm
• Jersey Shore Shots
• Northern Virginia SuperNovas
• NYC Ballers
• Richmond Rocketeers
• Roanoke Shine
• The Villages Heat (The Villages, FL).

According to league co-founder Ron Cortese, eight of the 12 team are fully or co-owned by women. 

"The USLPL was created to offer greater access and value to all 50+ and 60+ players who want to be part of an elite senior pro organization," Cortese told The Dink.

Upcoming Events

Starting in September, once per month, teams will compete for prize money in four league matches, or “showdowns,” in top-tier indoor facilities in Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

• 9/19-21, Indianapolis, IN (The Picklr, Noblesville)
• 10/17-19, Hatboro, PA (Dill Dinkers)
• 12/5-7, Baltimore, MD (Bounce Pickleball)
• 1/9-11, Robbinsville, NJ (Pickle House)

You can still register to complete through August 15.

What About The National Pickleball League?

If a competitive pickleball league for those over 50 sounds familiar, it should: The National Pickleball League has been operating its team-based model since 2022, and bills itself as "the first Pro Pickleball League for the 50+ age group."

The NPL is comprised of 12 teams and 180 players total. It is not affiliated in any way with the USLPL.

"We encourage athletes over the age of 50 to maintain a professional player status within the game of Pickleball," the league states on its website. "NPL gives fans a community to connect to, players a chance to pursue their passion, and reminds everyone that age should never be a barrier."

The 12 teams include:

• Austin Ignite
• Boca Surge
• Denver Iconics
• Indy Drivers
• Naples JBB United
• OKC Punishers
• Coachella Valley Scorpions
• Columbus Hotshots
• Houston Hammers
• Kansas City Stingers
• Princeton Bruisers
• Seattle Tsunami

Registration for the 2025 season has closed, but there are several events remaining if you want to check out the action: September 19-21 (Indianapolis, IN, and Princeton, NJ) and October 16-19 (Championship Weekend, Seattle, WA).

In June, the NPL announced a multi-faceted partnership with Selkirk Sport, making Selkirk TV its Official Media Partner and "offering a national platform to showcase the league’s athletes, stories, and competitive play."