Irish padel company secures €5m investment to open 100 courts

Irish Padel company Padel 100 has secured a €5 million investment to launch an ambitious national network of 100 new padel courts across Ireland.

The development is being delivered in partnership with the Scandinavian padel giant Acenta Group, which launched on Nasdaq First North in January 2025.

Padel 100 is backed by founders Ben Keohane, Ryan Hennessy and a group of investors from the world of business and sport including the retired professional Irish rugby union player and Pendulum Summit founder Frankie Sheahan and businessman Michael Mulcahy.  

Padel 100 said it aims to make padel accessible to communities across all 32 counties in Ireland, adding that “the funding marks a bold step forward for the growth” of the sport in the country.

Construction of the first courts is set to begin this summer, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford confirmed as part of Phase One. Additional sites across suburban and regional areas will follow throughout 2025 and beyond. 

Padel 100 said that as well as the construction of the courts, the €5 million investment will fund programming for schools, clubs and local organisations “to help grow the sport from the grassroots up”.

It said the new facilities will also support league play, coaching and tournaments “with a strong emphasis on social connection, wellness, and accessibility.”

The company added: “The partnership with Acenta Group and its own investors provides not only financial backing but also deep operational expertise in large-scale infrastructure delivery. With its recent public listing on the Swedish stock exchange, Acenta brings international momentum and a shared vision for sustainable, accessible sport and leisure development.”

Ben Keohane, co-founder and CEO of Padel 100, commented: “We’re building more than just courts – we’re building a community and a movement. This €5 million investment, combined with the expertise of our partners at Acenta Group, allows us to deliver world-class padel experiences across Ireland. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, Padel 100 is creating spaces where everyone can play, connect and thrive.”

Ryan Hennessy, Padel 100 co-founder and head of partnerships, added: “After engaging with numerous clubs nationwide, we have seen exceptional interest and enthusiasm for padel, a dynamic and inclusive sport poised to attract new members and enhance engagement at all levels and in all types of sports clubs, schools and golf clubs. We are highly encouraged by the number of clubs that have already signed expressions of interest with us, with so many more engaged at various levels with us.”

Hakan Tollefsen, managing director of Acenta, said: “We are really excited to join forces with Padel 100 to bring this vision to life and support the growth of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports with first-class facilities and community engagement at its core. Ireland is perfectly positioned to become a leading hub for padel in Europe.”

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