The Average Age: Pro VS Amateur Pickleball Players

Pickleball: Pro vs Amateur Average Age

Pickleball has grown from a backyard pastime into one of the fastest-growing sports in the US. With more players entering tournaments each year, one question often comes up: how old are the athletes who compete at a serious level compared to the amateur level competitor? Spoiler alert: pro-players' average age is 30, while amateur players' average age is 55.


The Average Age of Pickleball Players

Before diving into the differences between professional players and amateur players, let’s take a look at all pickleball players' average age first.

After being dominated by senior players for many years, pickleball players’ average age has dropped to 34.8, with 25-34 years old as the largest bracket of all players. Meaning the increase of younger players in pickleball. Check out our article: Pickleball Growth Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 to learn more.


Age Distribution: Professionals vs Amateurs

From a sample of 190 athletes at each level—professional and amateur competitors—the difference in average age is striking, with a significant gap that highlights how age shapes the competitive landscape of pickleball.

  • At professional levels, the average age is 30, with 52 years old as the oldest in the group. The largest brackets of pro-players are 21-30 years old and 31-40 years old in order.
Pro-players age groups
  • At amateur levels, the average age is 55, and the age range is much wider compared to the professional field. Senior players actually make up the largest groups, with equal numbers in the 51–60 and 61–70 brackets. The oldest competitor? 81 years old—that’s the kind of joint strength I can only dream of.
Amateur-players age groups


Why the Difference?

You’ve seen the gap in average age between professional and amateur pickleball players—now let’s dive into why it exists. Here are several likely factors that contribute to this difference:

  • Physical Demand – In professional pickleball, most athletes aim for rankings and prize money, which requires intensive training and high endurance. Amateur tournaments, on the other hand, are less demanding, allowing senior players to join for fun and compete at their own pace.
  • Time and Life Styles – Most professional pickleball players are full-time athletes, dedicating the majority of their time to practice and competition. Amateur tournaments are less demanding, giving players—especially seniors—more flexibility to join and enjoy the game at their own pace. Even those with busy schedules can usually fit a tournament or two into their week.
  • Two Different Paths – Professional players usually start their pickleball careers young, when their bodies are at their physical peak. For many amateurs, pickleball is a hobby. Younger amateurs often juggle work and life, fitting in only a tournament or two, while older players have more time to participate—but may lack the physical edge to compete at the professional level.


Pickleball Gifts for Every Player

No matter your age or skill level—whether you’re a seasoned pro, a competitive amateur, or just starting out—there’s always a perfect pickleball-themed gift to celebrate the game. From fun printed t-shirts and comfy shorts to custom tumblers and accessories, we’ve got something for every player.

Check out PickleballGoats.com and find the perfect item to play, compete, or just show off your love for pickleball!


References

PPA Tour. (n.d.). Athletes. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.ppatour.com/athletes/

Major League Pickleball. (n.d.). Major League Pickleball. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://majorleaguepickleball.co/ 

Association of Pickleball Players. (n.d.). World Rankings: Pro Women’s Singles. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.theapp.global/world-rankings?match=Pro+Women%27s+Singles

PickleballTournaments.com. (n.d.). World Pickleball Tour Washington DC Challenger presented by JOOLA: Players. Retrieved August 2025, from https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/ecd6a09d-799b-4ab1-8602-4e1dbf9cee3f/find-player

PickleballTournaments.com. (n.d.). World Pickleball Tour Punta Gorda Picklefest: Players. Retrieved August 2025, from https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/world-pickleball-tour-punta-gorda-picklefest/find-player

Pickleball.com. (n.d.). Players. Retrieved August 2025, from https://pickleball.com/players

Pickleheads. (2025). Pickleball statistics - the numbers behind America's fastest-growing sport. https://www.pickleheads.com/guides/pickleball-statistics 

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