Britain’s Big Serve into the Global Arena
The echo of padel racquets striking balls under floodlights in the UK was once a niche curiosity. Now, it’s the soundtrack to a national sporting renaissance. With the arrival of the Premier Padel UK Open in 2025, the nation has officially joined the global stage of this fast-rising racquet sport. The event, held at the prestigious National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, is no longer just a footnote on the international calendar—it’s a headline act.
A Sport No Longer on the Sidelines
Padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash, has enjoyed meteoric growth across Europe, and the UK has caught the wave. As of June 2025, Sport England estimates over 130,000 regular padel players nationwide—up from just 89,000 in early 2024. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which now officially governs padel in Britain, lists 287 padel courts across England, Scotland, and Wales, with 64 new courts under construction.
Yet despite these numbers, the Premier Padel UK Open represents more than just player metrics—it’s a signal of legitimacy. Hosting an elite-level competition, part of the international Premier Padel Tour sanctioned by the International Padel Federation (FIP), puts Britain squarely in the frame alongside Madrid, Rome, and Doha.
Roehampton Takes Centre Stage
The UK Open was launched on 3 June 2025, drawing thousands to the South London venue, which had recently completed a £12 million redevelopment to accommodate the sport’s rise. Three show courts were erected, with capacity for over 5,000 spectators, along with indoor training bays, hospitality zones, and commercial partner activations.
According to Premier Padel organisers, over 41,000 tickets were sold across the seven-day event, with peak attendance during the semi-finals and finals broadcast live on Sky Sports, Eurosport, and Premier Padel’s own OTT platform. The men’s final, featuring world number ones Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, was watched by an estimated 1.2 million UK viewers, while the women’s final, won by Ariana Sánchez and Paula Josemaría, drew 870,000—a record for padel in Britain.
A Boon for British Clubs and Facilities
What does this mean for British padel at grassroots level? Everything. The UK Open’s visibility has had a ripple effect, especially in club membership spikes. Padel4All, a leading UK padel operator, reported a 30% increase in enquiries the week following the UK Open, while David Lloyd Clubs, which now operate padel courts at 22 of their locations, reported a 19% rise in court bookings.
The event has also encouraged investment in infrastructure. According to the LTA’s June 2025 funding report, £7.3 million in public-private grants have been ringfenced for new padel court construction, particularly in underserved areas like the Midlands, North East, and Scotland. Premier Padel organisers have hinted at rotating the UK Open to northern cities such as Manchester or Glasgow in future years to stimulate wider regional growth.
British Talent on the Rise
For homegrown players, the Premier Padel UK Open was both a showcase and a proving ground. Britain’s leading men’s pair, Christian Medina Murphy and Sam Jones, reached the quarter-finals—an achievement that secured them wildcard entries to the upcoming Madrid Open. On the women’s side, rising star Abbie Brooks, aged 21, reached the round of 16 and has since signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas UK.
Coaching academies have also reported increased uptake. The LTA Padel Coach Accreditation Scheme, launched last year, now has over 320 certified coaches, with more than 1,500 sessions delivered monthly across affiliated venues. The UK Open’s spotlight is accelerating not only player participation but the entire ecosystem—coaching, officiating, merchandising, and content.
Commercial Power: The Brands Backing the Boom
Major sponsors lined up for the event. Barclays, Rolex, and Babolat featured as headline partners, while Red Bull activated live DJ sets and player pop-ups across the fan village. Merchandise sales during the UK Open week exceeded £400,000, with Bullpadel kits, HEAD racquets, and branded apparel selling out by the semi-final stage.
Broadcast rights were reportedly sold for £2.6 million, with UK licensing split between Sky and Discovery. These figures might pale in comparison to Wimbledon or the Premier League, but in padel’s world, they’re transformative—and growing fast.
Padel influencers, many crossing over from tennis and squash, garnered millions of impressions on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. One UK influencer, @PadelWithBen, saw a 250% follower increase after daily updates from the Roehampton event.
The South American Spark and European Legacy
It’s worth noting that while Britain has jumped aboard the padel bandwagon, the train has long been moving at pace across other parts of the world. In Spain, over 6 million players now engage in padel regularly—more than tennis. Italy and Sweden follow closely, with over 2,500 courts each and robust national ranking systems. Argentina remains a powerhouse, contributing most of the men’s and women’s top 10 players.
Premier Padel, founded in 2022 and backed by Qatar Sports Investments, has been instrumental in turning what was once a leisure pursuit into a global broadcast product. With its sharp branding, tech-forward coverage, and professionalised calendar, it has done for padel what the ATP Tour once did for tennis. The UK Open is now part of a 25-event global series spanning the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
Ticket Prices, Packages, and Participation
Tickets to the Premier Padel UK Open were attractively priced—ranging from £18 for general admission to £95 for VIP seating with courtside hospitality. Youth and student discounts made the event broadly accessible. Packages that included coaching sessions with pro players, behind-the-scenes venue tours, and branded merchandise were also popular, selling out within hours of launch.
More than 4,500 attendees opted into “Try Padel” clinics hosted in partnership with LTA-accredited coaches during the event week—offering a powerful onboarding route for curious beginners.
Economic Impact and the Business Case for More
A joint impact study by the LTA and Visit London estimates the Premier Padel UK Open contributed £17.2 million to the local economy. This figure includes hotel stays, transport, food and drink, merchandising, and associated tourism. Small businesses, particularly local cafés and hospitality venues near Roehampton and Putney, reported significant uplift during the week.
The success of the UK Open has ignited calls for a second annual UK padel event on the Premier Tour calendar—potentially in the autumn—anchored either in Manchester or Birmingham. There are also discussions about integrating a Premier Padel Challenger event focused on British players and up-and-coming European talent.
A Broader Cultural Shift
Perhaps more than the numbers, what stands out is the palpable shift in Britain’s attitude towards padel. No longer the “Spanish beach sport” or a side attraction in gym clubs, padel is now seen as a legitimate competitive discipline with pathways from amateur to elite.
According to YouGov polling commissioned during the UK Open, 47% of UK adults aged 18–34 expressed interest in trying padel within the next six months. Among existing players, 62% said they were more likely to attend future events or join a club after watching the tournament.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just a Moment
While it’s easy to frame the Premier Padel UK Open as a single success story, industry insiders believe it is merely the beginning. The combination of institutional backing, commercial interest, and grassroots participation suggests padel in Britain is not a passing trend but a fast-maturing sport.
With London as a springboard, other cities are already positioning themselves to become padel hubs. Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, and Bristol are expanding their padel infrastructure, while the University of Nottingham has announced plans to build the UK’s first dedicated padel training centre for student-athletes.
The LTA, meanwhile, has pledged a £15 million investment package to double the number of courts nationwide by 2028, including support for padel-specific clubs in lower-income areas.
Final Word: Not Just a Smash Hit—A Lasting Serve
The Premier Padel UK Open didn’t just arrive; it landed with purpose. It signalled that Britain is no longer content watching from the sidelines. With serious infrastructure, rising local talent, and robust commercial backing, the UK has entered the global padel conversation with a bang—and it looks like it’s here to stay.
From Roehampton to Redditch, Bristol to Bolton, the question is no longer “What is padel?” but rather “Where can I play—and when’s the next tournament?”
Financial Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, market conditions may change, and unforeseen risks may arise. The author and publisher of this article do not accept liability for any losses or damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information contained herein.
Copyright 2025: Tennispadel.uk
Picture: freepik.com