{"id":1015,"date":"2026-04-06T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/?post_type=news&p=1015"},"modified":"2026-09-28T19:47:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:47:01","slug":"npl-2026-senior-elite-league","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/news\/npl-2026-senior-elite-league\/","title":{"rendered":"NPL\u304c2026\u5e74\u30b7\u30fc\u30ba\u30f3\u306b40+\u30fb60+\u30a8\u30ea\u30fc\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u3092\u65b0\u8a2d\u2014\u2014\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u5411\u3051\u306e\u7af6\u6280\u74b0\u5883\u304c\u62e1\u5145"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pickleball's pro-am mixed leagueNPL\uff08National Pickleball League\uff09<\/strong>has announced a major expansion for the 2026 season. The biggest highlights are the founding of the40+ elite league<\/strong>andand the 60+ elite league<\/strong>, and the creation of a new development league called \u201cNext Up Pros<\/strong>\u201d (50+). NPL CEO Rod Davis commented, \u201cWe want to provide opportunity to players of every age and stage. A place for 40+ players to shine has been needed for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overview of the NPL's 2026 expansion<\/h2>\n

The NPL is characterized by a unique format where city-representative amateur teams compete in the same tournaments as pro players. This expansion provides, in addition to the young and general players who were the main target until now, serious competition opportunities for players in their 40s, 50s, and 60s as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
New divisions<\/td>\n40+ elite league, 60+ elite league<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New development league<\/td>\nNext Up Pros\uff0850+\uff09<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Competition calendar<\/td>\nPro-am tournament series (January\u2013April 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Championship<\/td>\n2026\u5e7410\u670816\u301c19\u65e5\u3001\u30b7\u30a2\u30c8\u30eb\u958b\u50ac\u4e88\u5b9a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total prize money<\/td>\n$100,000 (championship)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Source<\/td>\nThe Dink Pickleball<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Each division maintains the format where city-representative amateur teams compete against pros, so even senior players can have the experience of \u201cstanding on the same stage as the pros.\u201d Prize money is set for all pro divisions, guaranteeing a high competitive level as well.<\/p>\n

\u306a\u305c\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u306b\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u304c\u523a\u3055\u308b\u306e\u304b\u2014\u2014\u7af6\u6280\u7279\u6027\u3068\u5e02\u5834\u80cc\u666f<\/h2>\n

NPL\u306e\u62e1\u5f35\u306f\u3001\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u304b\u3089\u306e\u30cb\u30fc\u30ba\u306b\u5fdc\u3048\u305f\u5f62\u3060\u3002\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u7279\u6027\u304c\u3001\u5e74\u3092\u91cd\u306d\u305f\u9078\u624b\u306b\u3082\u6d3b\u8e8d\u306e\u9053\u3092\u958b\u304f\u3002<\/p>\n

A sport designed with low physical strain<\/h3>\n

A pickleball court is about a quarter the size of a tennis court, so the distance you move is short. The paddle is lightweight too, and the game is designed so that control and strategy matter more than a powerful swing. This is one reason it holds down strain on the knees and lower back and can be continued for a long time even in one's 50s and 60s. Also, because doubles is the standard, it has the trait of being enjoyable even with a big gap in fitness.<\/p>\n

A sport that creates social connection<\/h3>\n

\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306f\u30b3\u30fc\u30c8\u304c\u72ed\u304f\u3001\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u4e2d\u306b\u4f1a\u8a71\u304c\u5f3e\u307f\u3084\u3059\u3044\u3002\u5b9a\u5e74\u9000\u8077\u5f8c\u306e\u793e\u4f1a\u7684\u5b64\u7acb\u304c\u8ab2\u984c\u3068\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u73fe\u4ee3\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u3001\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30b3\u30df\u30e5\u30cb\u30c6\u30a3\u3078\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u306f\u7cbe\u795e\u7684\u5065\u5eb7\u306b\u3082\u8ca2\u732e\u3059\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

There's room to grow even starting in your 40s<\/h3>\n

Rod Davis CEO\u306e\u30b3\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u300c40+\u30d7\u30ec\u30fc\u30e4\u30fc\u304c\u6d3b\u8e8d\u3059\u308b\u5834\u306f\u9577\u3044\u9593\u5fc5\u8981\u3068\u3055\u308c\u3066\u3044\u305f\u300d\u306f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u5c64\u306e\u7af6\u6280\u610f\u6b32\u306e\u9ad8\u3055\u3092\u793a\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u300240\u4ee3\u306f\u4f53\u529b\u304c\u3042\u308a\u306a\u304c\u3089\u6226\u7565\u7684\u601d\u8003\u3082\u6210\u719f\u3057\u3066\u304a\u308a\u3001\u82e5\u3044\u9803\u306b\u30c6\u30cb\u30b9\u3084\u30d0\u30c9\u30df\u30f3\u30c8\u30f3\u3092\u3084\u3063\u3066\u3044\u305f\u5c64\u306b\u3068\u3063\u3066\u306f\u6280\u8853\u7684\u306a\u79fb\u884c\u3082\u30b9\u30e0\u30fc\u30ba\u3060\u3002NPL\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306a\u516c\u5f0f\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u3067\u8a55\u4fa1\u3055\u308c\u308b\u5834\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3067\u300140\u4ee3\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306e\u30e2\u30c1\u30d9\u30fc\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\u306f\u3055\u3089\u306b\u9ad8\u307e\u308b\u3068\u60f3\u5b9a\u3055\u308c\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

\u9ad8\u9f62\u5316\u306b\u4f34\u3046\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u5e02\u5834\u306e\u62e1\u5927<\/h3>\n

\u4e16\u754c\u7684\u306b\u9ad8\u9f62\u5316\u304c\u9032\u3080\u4e2d\u3001\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5411\u3051\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30fb\u5065\u5eb7\u5e02\u5834\u3078\u306e\u95a2\u5fc3\u304c\u9ad8\u307e\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306f\u3053\u306e\u30c8\u30ec\u30f3\u30c9\u3067\u6ce8\u76ee\u3055\u308c\u308b\u7af6\u6280\u3060\u3002NPL\u306e40+\u30fb60+\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u65b0\u8a2d\u306f\u3001\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30d3\u30b8\u30cd\u30b9\u304c\u3053\u306e\u30cb\u30fc\u30ba\u3092\u3057\u3063\u304b\u308a\u6349\u3048\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3092\u793a\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

Related articles:Pickleball Is Especially Great for Seniors | The Benefits and Cautions of Starting in Your 60s and 70s<\/a><\/p>\n

The reality of pickleball that people 40 and over can enjoy in Japan too<\/h2>\n

Japan's playing population and trends among seniors<\/h3>\n

According to the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA), the domestic registered playing population as of March 2026 has reachedover 45,000<\/strong>\u306b\u9054\u3057\u3066\u3044\u305f\u3002\u3053\u306e\u4e2d\u3067\u3082\u7279\u306b40\u4ee3\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u8005\u306e\u5897\u52a0\u304c\u9855\u8457\u3067\u3001\u5065\u5eb7\u5fd7\u5411\u306e\u9ad8\u307e\u308a\u3068\u3068\u3082\u306b\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u3068\u3057\u3066\u306e\u8a8d\u77e5\u5ea6\u304c\u4e0a\u304c\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3002\u300c\u819d\u3078\u306e\u8ca0\u62c5\u304c\u5c11\u306a\u3044\u300d\u300c\u77ed\u6642\u9593\u3067\u904b\u52d5\u3067\u304d\u308b\u300d\u300c\u4ef2\u9593\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u7406\u7531\u3067\u59cb\u3081\u308b\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u304c\u5897\u3048\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

How seniors can take part in tournaments within Japan<\/h3>\n

Within Japan, the JPA (Japan Pickleball Association) and regional associations hold tournaments regularly, and age-based categories are gradually being put in place. Tournaments with senior divisions for those in their 50s and 60s are also increasing, and an environment easy for beginners to join has been coming together.<\/p>\n

Related articles:What Is the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA)? Overview, Activities and How to Join<\/a><\/p>\n

Is it possible to take part in the NPL Seattle event?<\/h3>\n

NPL\u30c1\u30e3\u30f3\u30d4\u30aa\u30f3\u30b7\u30c3\u30d7\u306f2026\u5e7410\u670816\u301c19\u65e5\u3001\u30b7\u30a2\u30c8\u30eb\u3067\u958b\u50ac\u3055\u308c\u308b\u4e88\u5b9a\u3067\u3042\u308b\u3002\u30a2\u30de\u30c1\u30e5\u30a2\u90e8\u9580\u3078\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u306f\u90fd\u5e02\u4ee3\u8868\u30c1\u30fc\u30e0\u3092\u901a\u3058\u305f\u5f62\u304c\u57fa\u672c\u3060\u304c\u3001\u89b3\u6226\u76ee\u7684\u3067\u306e\u8a2a\u554f\u306f\u8ab0\u3067\u3082\u53ef\u80fd\u3060\u3002\u79cb\u306e\u30b7\u30a2\u30c8\u30eb\u89b3\u5149\u3068\u7d44\u307f\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u65c5\u884c\u3068\u3057\u3066\u691c\u8a0e\u3059\u308b\u4fa1\u5024\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n

Q. Is pickleball really gentle on the knees and lower back?<\/h3>\n

A. Compared with tennis, the court is smaller so the distance you run is short, and it's said there is less repeated impact on the joints. However, there are also movements that strain the knees, such as sudden changes of direction and low-posture volleys, so warm-ups and shoe selection are important. If you have concerns about your knees, take precautions with well-cushioned indoor shoes and a thorough warm-up.<\/p>\n

Q. How can I take part in the NPL's 40+ elite league?<\/h3>\n

A. NPL participation is basically through city-representative teams. First, check whether there's a representative team in your area on the NPL official site (see The Dink for details<\/a>\uff09\u3067\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u5730\u57df\u306b\u4ee3\u8868\u30c1\u30fc\u30e0\u304c\u3042\u308b\u304b\u78ba\u8a8d\u3057\u3001\u8a66\u5408\u3078\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u8cc7\u683c\u3084\u30a8\u30f3\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u65b9\u6cd5\u3092\u554f\u3044\u5408\u308f\u305b\u3066\u307f\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\u65e5\u672c\u304b\u3089\u306e\u53c2\u52a0\u306f\u73fe\u72b6\u96e3\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u4eca\u5f8cNPL\u63d0\u643a\u5927\u4f1a\u304c\u958b\u50ac\u3055\u308c\u308b\u53ef\u80fd\u6027\u3082\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u30d7\u30ed\u30fb\u30a2\u30de\u6df7\u5408\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0NPL\uff08National Pickleball League\uff09\u304c\u30012026 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ssp_meta_description":"NPL\u304c2026\u5e74\u30b7\u30fc\u30ba\u30f3\u306b40+\u30fb60+\u30a8\u30ea\u30fc\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u3092\u65b0\u8a2d\u2014\u2014\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u3078\u306e\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u666e\u53ca\u304c\u52a0\u901f\u3002\u30d4\u30c3\u30af\u30eb\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u6700\u65b0\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\u30b9\u901f\u5831\u3002","swell_btn_cv_data":"","pt_pr_sponsor":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[123,108,57,133,113,6],"region":[1973],"class_list":["post-1015","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","category-tournament-info","tag-year-2026","tag-npl","tag-us","tag-senior","tag-pro-player","tag-ball","region-united-states"],"acf":{"summary":"National Pickleball League\uff08NPL\uff09\u304c2026\u5e74\u30b7\u30fc\u30ba\u30f3\u306b40+\u30fb60+\u30a8\u30ea\u30fc\u30c8\u30ea\u30fc\u30b0\u3068Next Up Pros\uff0850+\uff09\u3092\u65b0\u8a2d\u3002\u30c1\u30e3\u30f3\u30d4\u30aa\u30f3\u30b7\u30c3\u30d7\u306f10\u670816\u301c19\u65e5\u30b7\u30a2\u30c8\u30eb\u3067\u958b\u50ac\u3055\u308c\u3001\u8cde\u91d1\u7dcf\u984d10\u4e07\u30c9\u30eb\u3002\u30b7\u30cb\u30a2\u5c64\u3078\u306e\u666e\u53ca\u62e1\u5927\u304c\u72d9\u3044\u3002"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1015"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pickle-times.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=1015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}