National Pickleball League Senior Tour Expansion: The National Pickleball League (NPL) will expand its senior pro tour in 2026 with three new age-specific divisions and a new tournament series for both professional and amateur players. The league, which currently features 12 teams across the United States, aims to create more opportunities for players of all skill levels.
New Divisions for Different Age Groups
The NPL will add three new divisions to its competition. These include a 40+ division, a 60+ division, and a development division for players aged 50+ who want to earn a spot in the Champions Pro league. Each team in the new divisions will play a regular season before competing for their own league Championship.
The NPL’s current Champions Pro league is for players aged 50 and older. This expansion will allow athletes at different stages of their careers to compete and grow in the sport.
New Tournament Series for Pros and Amateurs
Along with the new divisions, the NPL will introduce a tournament series starting in early 2026. The events will feature professional and amateur players aged 40 and older. Tournaments are expected to take place in January, February, March, and April, with prize money awarded in all professional divisions. Dates and locations will be announced soon.
“Our mission has always been to showcase the incredible talent, athleticism, and competitiveness of players over age 50, and we’ve seen nothing but this in our first three seasons of play,”
said NPL Chief Executive Officer Rod Davis.
“With this expansion, we’re creating more opportunities for athletes at every stage of their journey.”
Current Season Nears Its Finale
The NPL is currently in its third season. Regular-season finales will be held this month with events in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The season will conclude with Championship Weekend in Seattle, Washington, from October 16 to 19. All 12 NPL teams will compete for the NPL Championship and a share of the $100,000 prize pool.
A Major Step for Senior Pickleball
The expansion shows the rapid growth of pickleball among older athletes. By adding new divisions and an amateur tournament series, the NPL is giving more players the chance to compete at higher levels and develop their skills. This move is expected to draw more attention to senior pickleball and inspire players of all ages.
News in Brief: National Pickleball League Senior Tour Expansion
The National Pickleball League will add three new age divisions and launch a pro-amateur tournament series in early 2026. Events for players aged 40 and older will run from January to April. The current season ends in October with a $100,000 Championship in Seattle, featuring all 12 NPL teams.