🎾 PBM Weekly Newsletter - Issue 3

Hi everyone,

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

With punchy news, expert viewpoints, and in-depth industry analysis, the PBM team aim to equip you with authoritative, cutting-edge insights and innovative strategies to inform your commercial success.

Each week, we’ll be giving you an in-depth feature or big industry interview, a lead news story, plus a snapshot of breaking developments across the industry globally.

Coming up this week:

• Houman Ashrafzadeh, founder of Padium, reveals what's next for the London premium padel club backed by Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon.

• Luigi Carraro, president of the International Padel Federation (FIP) and vice chairman of Premier Padel, picks out the US and India as key future markets for the sport.

• Rounding up other major headlines in the global padel business, we report on plans for Munich-based startup PadelCity to grow from 80 to 1,500 courts across Germany in five years.

Enjoy the latest issue!

Cheers!

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

• 🇪🇸 Spanish Padel Federation reaches record 107,645 licensed players

  The Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) has reached a new record of 107,645 licensed players, maintaining an annual growth in the last two years of around 6%. The Catalan Padel Federation (FCP) continues to lead the way, with 29,248 licensed players this year, up 10% on 2023, and accounting for 27% of the national total.

• 🇩🇪 Germany’s PadelCity targets expansion to 1,500 courts within five years

  Munich-based startup PadelCity is planning a major expansion across Germany, with co-founder Marcus Englert targeting an increase to between 1,000 and 1,500 courts within the next five years. The company currently has 80 courts, which is set to grow to 100 by the end of 2024.

• 🇪🇬 Premier Padel holds exhibition match next to Egyptian pyramids

  Premier Padel held an exhibition match at the Grand Egyptian Museum just outside Cairo earlier this week to mark the growth of the sport in the country. The match, played against the backdrop of Egypt’s iconic pyramids, was held prior to the second edition of the NewGiza Premier Padel P2 tournament.

• 🇮🇹 FIP strikes partnership with Sapienza University of Rome to promote benefits of padel

  The International Padel Federation (FIP) has begun a partnership with Sapienza University of Rome to promote the benefits of playing padel as part of a healthy lifestyle. The two parties will collaborate on a number of joint initiatives over the next three years highlighting relevant sports science research.

• 🇧🇷 Brazilian women’s padel tournament TPM attracts record 468 players

  The biggest women’s padel tournament in Brazil, the TPM, attracted a record 468 participants to this year’s competition. The event, held at Delta Padel in Camboriú in the southern state of Santa Catarina, featured seven categories and 379 games. 

Net news

Diving deep into a major news story shaping the padel industry

Luigi Carraro picks out US and India as key future markets for padel

At Leaders Week London, Luigi Carraro, president of the International Padel Federation (FIP) and vice chairman of Premier Padel, spotlighted the US and India as pivotal markets for padel's continued global growth. Carraro shared insights into upcoming plans for padel’s expansion, including the launch of Premier Padel’s first US tournament in 2025. Despite competition from pickleball in the US, Carraro expressed confidence in padel's potential. He also highlighted India as a major future market. With 25 Premier Padel tournaments across 18 countries this year, the sport’s global reach continues to accelerate. Additionally, Carraro discussed ongoing efforts to secure a spot for padel in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. With over 30 million players worldwide, padel is fast becoming a global phenomenon. Read more about Carraro’s vision for the sport's future!

The big hit

Exclusive interviews and in-depth analysis breaking down the business of padel

Houman Ashrafzadeh interview: Padium founder on what's next for London padel club with Spotify backer

In an exclusive interview with Padel Business Magazine, Houman Ashrafzadeh, founder of the London-based premium padel club Padium, shares insights into his journey and future plans. Backed by Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon, Padium has quickly come to be seen as London’s flagship padel club, offering a high-end, community-focused experience. With nine courts and first-class amenities, it replicates the Swedish padel culture Ashrafzadeh grew up with. Now, with over 12,000 customers and plans to expand in both the UK and the US, Padium aims to set the gold standard for padel clubs. However, Ashrafzadeh warns of the risks of overexpansion, drawing parallels with Sweden’s market struggles. Discover how Padium is navigating the rapidly growing padel industry and its plans for future success. Read the full interview now!