Oakton, Virginia, U.S. – (July 18, 2025) – Fueled by the desire to provide elite pickleball players aged 50+ and 60+ with their next great competitive challenge, the U.S. Legends Pickleball League (USLPL) kicks off its inaugural 2025-2026 season this Fall.

The USLPL’s 12 ownership groups include nearly two dozen senior pro players, some of whom are also Hollywood actors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and people who go above and beyond to elevate the sport of pickleball through working with juniors and opening new cutting-edge pickleball facilities.  Most owners have won multiple medals at tournaments including the Minto U.S. Open, USAP Nationals, the Senior Games, and multiple international pickleball events including the Irish Open, Thailand Open, and Rome Open.

The league’s roster of teams includes the 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, and the Villages Heat (The Villages, FL). Teams are competing for a Championship trophy and prize money.

“The league and our team owners are providing a platform for today’s elite pickleball players to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level,” said League Co-Founder Ron Cortese of Oakton, Virginia, a senior pro player who has run pickleball, basketball, and baseball leagues in Northern Viriginia since 2006.  “What’s great about our league is that most of the team owners also senior pros who are playing on their teams and have a vested interest in the outcomes of the matches, as well as the friendly rivalries we will have on the court.”

Starting in September, once per month, teams will play four league matches called “showdowns” at top indoor facilities in Indianapolis, IN, (the Picklr, September), Hatboro, PA (Dill Dinkers, October), Baltimore, MD, (Bounce Pickleball, December), and Robbinsville, NJ, (Pickle House, January). 

The USLPL also announced that Diadem’s “Official Ball” is now the Official Ball of the USLPL, as well as one of the league’s primary gear sponsors.  Additionally, DINK Eyewear will protect USLPL players this season, as well as give them a visual edge through lenses that improve color, contrast, and clarity.

Each USLPL team is comprised of 14 players, 7 women and 7 men, who are Champions aged 50+ and Masters aged 60+. Players with DUPRs (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Ratings) starting at 4.5 and ranking above 5.0 are encouraged to register for the league’s round robin-style two-day tryout Combine August 8-10 at Performance Pickleball RVA in Richmond, VA. Players who cannot attend the Combine may choose to enter the draft directly. More details can be found here.

“U.S. Legends Pickleball League is helping elite players across the country fulfill their competitive aspirations,” said League Co-Founder Mike Cao, of Richmond, Virginia, a senior pro player and PPR certified coach. “This is going to be an extremely exciting season.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Dani Mackey, Dani@DaniMackey.com (703) 283-9698