PITTSBURGH, PA - On January 18th, 2025 from 9:30PM - 12:30AM, the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds will host their 10th consecutive open tryout to select the next team of Professional Ultimate Frisbee athletes. 

Since 2015, the Thunderbirds have rostered 170 athletes in the gold and charcoal grey feathers from all over the world. From Colombia to Canada, or North Carolina to locally right here in Pennsylvania, the Thunderbirds have always had an intensely competitive tryout process for a chance to play in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA).

This upcoming year will be no different for many vying for the chance to take their ultimate frisbee talents to the Professional level. 

Held at Southpointe Field House in Canonsburg, the all-inclusive tryout is open to all players of skills, backgrounds, gender, race, ethnicity, and religion. Those who perform well at the open tryout are invited back for a second round of tryouts by invitational only from General Manager Andrew Gardner and Head Coach Max Barowski. 

"The tryout process allows us to evaluate the best athletes the country, and not just Western Pennsylvania, has to offer," says Gardner. "During the first round, we test for speed, agility, Ultimate Frisbee IQ, and most importantly, attitude."

In 2024, the Thunderbirds organization evaluated over 100 potential participants all vying for their chance to play in front of a home crowd at Highmark Stadium in April. 

Interested participants must be over the age of 18 and have a passing physical by their personal care physician within the past calendar year. Individuals can register on the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds website (pghthunderbirds.com), or by going directly to the Open Tryout Registration Page. The cost to register is $60.00, and typically increases as the event draws closer. 

For more information on the Open Tryout process, you can reach Gardner at agardner@pghthunderbirds.com