What’s the Score?
The USLPL 35+ Professional Pickleball League is in the final countdown to its inaugural season, with launch day set for mid-January 2026. In a final push to fill team rosters, the league has issued a “last call” for its upcoming Combine event. Scheduled for January 16–18, the tryouts will be held at RVA Pickleball in Richmond, a venue chosen for its successful track record hosting previous senior league events.
Hit it deeper!
With only 13 days remaining until the official league launch, the pressure is on for aspiring pros to make the cut. The Combine represents the final gateway for athletes aged 35 and older to secure a spot in this new professional tier. The choice of Richmond as the host city is strategic; RVA Pickleball previously hosted the league’s 50+ Combine in 2025 with great success (“crushed it,” according to organisers), providing a proven infrastructure for high-stakes evaluations.
The USLPL is branding this new division under the banner of “Legends,” targeting a specific demographic that often falls between the crack of the open pro tour (dominated by 20-somethings) and the senior 50+ tours. By creating a dedicated professional space for the 35+ age group, the league is attempting to capture the high-level talent that still possesses elite athleticism but desires a distinct competitive environment.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The launch of the USLPL 35+ league addresses a glaring inefficiency in the current pickleball ecosystem. As the sport gets younger and faster at the top level, many elite players in their late 30s and 40s find themselves “aged out” of the main draw but “too young” for senior events.
This league validates the 35+ demographic as a standalone entertainment product. The reliance on a combine system mirrors major professional sports, adding a layer of legitimacy and drama to the selection process. If the Richmond Combine unearths significant talent, the USLPL could succeed in creating a new, highly competitive narrative that appeals to the sport’s largest participation base—middle-aged adults who want to see their peers play at a professional level.
