🎾 PBM Weekly Newsletter - Issue 28

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the 28th issue of Padel Business Magazine – a publication and vetted community dedicated to helping padel industry decision-makers capitalise on the explosive growth and development of the sport.

Coming up this week:

• UK governing body the LTA has unveiled new figures underlining the strong growth of padel in the country, with the number of courts reaching 893, and over 400,000 people playing the sport.

• Pro Padel League is going international in 2025 as the North American professional padel league holds events in San Sebastián, Spain and Guadalajara, Mexico.

• Our round-up of other major headlines in the global padel business, including A1 Padel’s move to cancel its calendar amid reports of difficulties at the organisation and staff layoffs, and a new brand partnership for Spanish padel player Marta Ortega as she signs up with Italian jewellery firm Marco Bicego.

• The latest exclusive interviews, in-depth features and expert analysis from Padel Business Magazine, as we explore the potential impact on the global padel industry of the tariffs imposed and threatened by US president Donald Trump, and speak with Lauren Pedersen, co-founder of SportAI, which won the Pitch Competition at this year’s RacquetX in Miami.

Enjoy the latest issue!

The PBM Team

P.S. We want to make this the best possible resource and community for you, so please share any feedback to: [email protected] 

The weekly serving

Essential news highlights to keep your padel business game sharp

• 🌍️A1 Padel cancels calendar amid reports of staff layoffs
  A1 Padel has cancelled its calendar with immediate effect following reports of difficulties at the organisation and staff layoffs. The circuit’s founder Monte Carlo International Sports said it is “in negotiations with the largest sports agency in the world to define the strategy and direction” from next year. It still plans to hold four major tournaments in 2025, with details to be announced soon.

• 🇮🇹 Italian jewellery brand Marco Bicego signs up Marta Ortega as ambassador

  Italian jewellery brand Marco Bicego has become the latest firm to sign up Spanish padel player Marta Ortega as an ambassador. Ortega, who is currently sixth in the FIP world rankings, visited the firm’s headquarters in Trissino to mark the partnership. The 28-year-old also has deals with Adidas, Swiss watchmaker Certina and Italian luxury fashion brand Golden Goose.

• 🇬🇧 New nine-court padel facility set to open in Nottingham
  Advantage Padel is set to open a new facility in Nottingham after plans were approved for the UK operator to turn an empty warehouse into seven indoor padel courts, comprising five double and two single courts, as well as an indoor pickleball court, café, warm-up gym and changing rooms. Two outdoor padel courts are also planned for the building.

• 🇮🇪 Ireland’s Padel 100 creates new division to bring padel courts to hotels
  Irish Padel company Padel 100 has announced the creation of a new division called Padel 100 Hotels to lead a rollout of padel courts in hotels across Ireland.
  Last month the firm secured a €5 million investment to launch 100 new padel courts across the country in partnership with the Scandinavian padel giant Acenta Group.

• 🇮🇳 FIP Bronze India postponed due to India-Pakistan conflict
  The FIP Bronze India tournament scheduled to take place in Mumbai from 26 May to 1 June has been postponed to a later date. The International Padel Federation (FIP) said the decision was made “due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan”, and that it is working with the organisers to reschedule the tournament within the CUPRA FIP Tour calendar.

Net news

Diving deep into major news stories shaping the padel industry

LTA padel figures show UK growth: 893 courts, over 400,000 players 

New figures underlining the strong growth of padel in the UK have been revealed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body for tennis and padel in the country.

Pro Padel League expands to Spain and Mexico 

The North American professional padel league is going international in 2025 with events in San Sebastián, Spain and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The big hits

The latest exclusive interviews, in-depth features and expert analysis from Padel Business Magazine

Padel industry faces up to uncertainty as it counts cost of Trump tariffs

The padel industry in the US and elsewhere is facing significant uncertainty over the tariffs imposed and threatened by President Trump on China, the EU and other parts of the world. Padel Business Magazine explores the latest developments and how they could affect the sport’s expansion.

Lauren Pedersen interview: SportAI co-founder on enhancing padel performance 

Lauren Pedersen, co-founder and CEO of SportAI, which won the Pitch Competition at this year’s RacquetX in Miami, speaks to Padel Business Magazine about the way its platform transforms how players receive feedback, the effectiveness of its equipment recommendations, and the company’s future plans.