Padel NEWs August 2025
August 2025 will be remembered as the month the UK’s burgeoning padel scene went into overdrive. From the clang of construction on landmark new courts in Scotland and Wales to the thwack of rackets at a packed schedule of national tournaments, the sport’s relentless momentum was palpable. This wasn’t just growth; it was a cultural tipping point, where padel solidified its transition from a niche curiosity to a mainstream sporting phenomenon, even making its debut in the hallowed halls of Harrods. The data from the month paints a vivid picture of a sport firing on all cylinders, with unprecedented investment in infrastructure, a maturing competitive circuit, and a commercial ecosystem that is rapidly expanding.
This report will provide an exhaustive roundup of the month’s key developments. We’ll explore the explosion in new infrastructure, dive deep into the competitive action on the tournament circuit, unbox the latest game-changing equipment, and analyze the industry trends and community stories that defined a pivotal 31 days for British padel.
Bricks, Glass, and Ambition: The UK’s Padel Court Explosion
August saw an unprecedented surge in the development of padel facilities across the United Kingdom. The narrative is no longer just about adding courts; it’s about strategic investment in high-quality, all-weather venues designed for year-round commercial viability. This wave of construction, however, is also beginning to highlight the challenges that accompany such rapid expansion, from community relations to planning approvals.
Landmark Openings Signal a New Era
The end of the month was marked by several high-profile venue launches, each signifying a new level of commitment to the sport in key urban centres.
Portobello, Edinburgh: In a major milestone for Scottish padel, Powerleague officially opened Portobello’s first-ever padel courts on Saturday, August 30th. The £600,000 investment has delivered three state-of-the-art canopied courts, a crucial feature that enables year-round play irrespective of the Scottish weather. This launch is a cornerstone of Powerleague’s broader £2.2 million investment strategy for its Scottish padel offering, building on the success of previous launches in Paisley, Birmingham, Manchester, and Shoreditch. Located just minutes from Portobello Beach, the club is set to become a hub for the coastal community. To celebrate the opening, Powerleague announced a community launch party for Thursday, September 4th, featuring free ‘Intro to Padel’ sessions, a social tournament, and entertainment, aiming to draw in locals and tourists alike.
Cardiff, Wales: The Welsh capital also celebrated a significant development with the opening of its first undercover padel courts. Smash Padel Cardiff launched its impressive facility in Llandaff Fields around August 29th, unveiling six panoramic, weatherproof courts. This major project is part of a wider transformation of the park’s leisure facilities, which also included the resurfacing of adjacent tennis courts. The venue is designed for maximum accessibility, operating seven days a week from 7 am to 10 pm, and is already attracting new players with offers of free taster sessions. The development brings a premium, coach-led padel operation to South Wales, promising to build a vibrant local community with inclusive programmes for all ages and abilities.
Stansted & London: Operator Padel United UK continued its aggressive summer expansion plan, which aims to deliver nine new courts across five locations. August saw the successful launch of two new panoramic courts at Stansted Mountfitchet’s Romeera Leisure Centre. The immense local appetite for the sport was immediately clear, as a free launch week featuring coaching from GB player Ben Welsford was almost completely booked out. Further cementing its presence, Padel United also confirmed that another two panoramic courts are scheduled to open in August at Willesden Sports Centre in London, strengthening its network in and around the capital.
These openings reveal a sophisticated, multi-layered expansion strategy being deployed across the industry. The market is clearly progressing through a maturity curve. The use of temporary, pop-up courts in new locations, such as Padel United’s partnerships with hotels, represents a low-risk method of testing market viability. The significant capital now being invested in permanent, high-quality, and crucially,
covered courts in proven urban markets like Cardiff and Edinburgh signals a consolidation phase. This phase is about establishing padel as a reliable, year-round commercial product, not just a fair-weather hobby.
The Growth Conundrum: Expansion vs. Community Concerns
As padel courts become a more common feature in the British landscape, the friction between development and community interests is becoming more apparent.
Norwich Planning Approval: A decision made in Norwich on August 29th perfectly encapsulated this growing tension. Norwich city councillors voted 6-2 to approve the conversion of a tennis court into a padel court at the East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club. The approval was granted despite vocal opposition from local residents who raised concerns about noise levels. Opponents argued that the sound from padel—amplified by the glass and mesh walls—is more intrusive than tennis and could negatively affect mental health, citing World Health Organisation standards on noise pollution. The club, however, successfully argued that adding new facilities like padel was essential to “securing the future of a valued community facility” and preventing its potential decline. This case highlights a critical dilemma facing many traditional racket clubs across the UK: the commercial necessity of embracing padel for financial survival is increasingly clashing with legitimate community concerns. This suggests that the next wave of growth will depend heavily on proactive community engagement and innovative architectural solutions to mitigate these conflicts.
Kenilworth’s Proactive Expansion: In contrast, Kenilworth Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club provides a case study in strategic expansion driven by demand. The club, which hosted the Warwickshire County Championships in August, has already submitted a planning application for two additional padel courts. This move is a direct response to the “growing demand” and intense pressure on its existing facilities, which have successfully attracted over 100 new members since their installation. This demonstrates how clubs are leveraging padel not just for survival, but as a powerful engine for growth, using proven demand to justify further investment.
The Blueprint for the Future: Innovation and Ambition
Beyond conventional court construction, August also provided a glimpse into a more ambitious and innovative future for UK padel infrastructure.
Liverpool’s Floating Courts: In a truly groundbreaking development, planning permission was officially approved for the UK’s first-ever floating padel courts at Liverpool Waters. This landmark project, with an estimated completion in Autumn 2025, will feature three courts built on state-of-the-art floating platforms, accompanied by the world’s first floating clubhouse. This development is more than just new courts; it is a statement of intent, positioning Liverpool alongside global destinations like Dubai, Miami, and Helsinki where waterside padel is already a major attraction. This represents an emerging third phase of the infrastructure maturity curve: market leadership. Such iconic “destination venues” are designed to generate national media attention and elevate the sport’s cultural status far beyond the existing player base.
The National Picture: The backdrop to all this activity is a period of explosive national growth. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) had confirmed in July that Great Britain had officially surpassed the 1,000-court milestone across 325 venues—a staggering increase from just 68 courts in 2019. This exponential growth is feeding on itself, with reports in August indicating a 113% surge in planning applications for new courts in 2025 alone, confirming that the construction boom is set to continue its relentless pace.
The Competitive Circuit: August’s Tournament Action
August was a bustling month on the competitive front, with a packed calendar that showcased the growing depth of the UK’s tournament structure. From the elite LTA British Tour to the fiercely contested County Championships, there were opportunities for players of all levels to test their skills.
The Elite Tier – LTA Padel British Tour
The LTA Padel British Tour, the premier domestic circuit, continued its journey across the UK with two crucial Grade 1 events scheduled for August. These tournaments represent the pinnacle of the domestic game, offering significant ranking points and prize money for the nation’s top players.
- Week of August 11th: The tour stopped in Wales for a Grade 1 event in Cardiff, though the specific venue was to be confirmed.
- Week of August 25th: The circuit then travelled north to True Padel in Durham for another high-stakes Grade 1 tournament.
While these events were key fixtures in the calendar, specific results and winners for these August tournaments were not available in the published reports.
The Battle for County Supremacy
August is the heart of the County Championships season, and several counties hosted their prestigious LTA Grade 3 events. These tournaments are vital for fostering regional rivalries, identifying emerging talent, and strengthening the grassroots of the competitive game.
- Northamptonshire Padel County Championships (Aug 16-17): This event was hosted at the Corby Tennis Centre, bringing together the best players in the county for a weekend of intense competition.
- Warwickshire Padel County Championships (Aug 23-24): Held at the expanding Kenilworth Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club, this tournament was a showcase for one of the Midlands’ most active padel communities.
- Hertfordshire Padel County Championships (Finals on Aug 31): The championships in Hertfordshire ran from May through August, culminating in a highly anticipated finals day at Broxbourne Sports Club.
It is important to note that while these tournaments were confirmed to be taking place, detailed results and lists of winners for the August 2025 championships were not publicly available at the time of this report.
A Packed Calendar Across the UK
The health of the UK’s competitive ecosystem was evident in the sheer volume and variety of tournaments held throughout August.
- International Flavour: The CUPRA FIP Tour brought an international dimension to the domestic scene with a FIP Bronze event held at Island Padel in Jersey during the week of August 4th.
- Grassroots & Club Events: A multitude of LTA Grade 4 and 5 tournaments, club series like the “Compass Tournament Summer Series” at Stratford Padel Club, and events like the “Festival of Padel” took place from Aberdeen to Exeter. These events are the lifeblood of the competitive scene, providing an accessible entry point for players looking to test themselves beyond social play. The calendar also included dedicated events for different age groups, such as the UK PADEL Seniors Tour O50 Grade 3.
The August calendar clearly illustrates the maturation of the UK’s competitive structure into a robust three-tier pyramid. At the top, Tier 1, is the professional and elite level, represented by the LTA British Tour Grade 1s and visiting FIP Tour events, which attract the best national and international talent. The middle layer,
Tier 2, is the serious amateur and regional level, dominated by the County Championships, which are becoming crucial proving grounds for aspiring players and a source of local pride. At the base is
Tier 3, the grassroots and club level, with a high volume of Grade 4/5 tournaments and local leagues that drive mass participation and provide a clear pathway into the competitive game. This structure is essential for the long-term health of the sport, ensuring a steady flow of talent and engagement from the ground up.
Furthermore, a clear link is emerging between clubs hosting major tournaments and their own infrastructure investment. Kenilworth Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club, host of the Warwickshire Championships, is simultaneously applying to build more padel courts due to overwhelming demand. Similarly, Broxbourne Sports Club, host of the Hertfordshire finals, has already undergone a significant expansion in partnership with Game4Padel. This demonstrates that securing a spot on the LTA’s tournament calendar is becoming a key business strategy for ambitious clubs, creating a virtuous cycle where hosting success fuels facility growth, which in turn allows for bigger and better events.
Major UK Padel Tournaments – August 2025
| Tournament Name | Dates | Location | Tour/Series | Grade/Level |
| CUPRA FIP TOUR | w/c Aug 4 | Island Padel, Jersey | FIP Tour | FIP Bronze |
| LTA Padel British Tour | w/c Aug 11 | Cardiff (Venue TBC) | LTA British Tour | Grade 1 |
| Northamptonshire County Champs | Aug 16-17 | Corby Tennis Centre | LTA County Champs | Grade 3 |
| Warwickshire County Champs | Aug 23-24 | Kenilworth TSCC | LTA County Champs | Grade 3 |
| LTA Padel British Tour | w/c Aug 25 | True Padel, Durham | LTA British Tour | Grade 1 |
| Hertfordshire County Champs | Finals Aug 31 | Broxbourne Sports Club | LTA County Champs | Grade 3 |
Export to Sheets
The Player’s Arsenal: 2025’s Newest Gear and Apparel
The explosion in player numbers is being matched by a wave of new equipment, with all the major brands launching their 2025 collections. The market is increasingly sophisticated, with a focus on advanced materials, pro-player endorsements, and a growing intersection between performance and lifestyle fashion.
Racket Revolution – The 2025 Collections Unveiled
August saw the full rollout of the 2025 racket ranges, with brands heavily leveraging their professional stars to market the latest technology.
- NOX: The Spanish brand’s 2025 “Luxury Series” is built around its star player, Agustín Tapia. The collection features multiple versions of his signature AT10 line, including the AT10 Genius 18K Alum, a 12K carbon version, and several “Attack” models, catering to players seeking different levels of stiffness and power. The range is rounded out with signature rackets for big-hitter Leo Augsburger (the diamond-shaped LA10 Quantum 12K) and the legendary Miguel Lamperti, whose ML10 Quantum 3K introduces an innovative Photochromic Paint technology that changes appearance.
- Babolat: The French brand has structured its 2025 collection into three clear tiers: Viper for professionals, Veron for advanced players, and Vertuo for intermediates. Each tier is then subdivided by play style: the diamond-shaped Technical models for power attackers (led by Juan Lebrón’s signature Technical Viper), the teardrop Air models for maneuverability, and the round Counter models for defensive control. The flagship Viper series utilizes 12k Carbon Fiber for maximum performance.
- Adidas: The 2025 Adidas lineup is defined by customization and pro collaboration. Ale Galán’s new Metalbone 3.4 and its harder HRD+ version feature the brand’s Weight & Balance System, allowing players to adjust the racket’s feel. A major innovation is the new Cross It range, used by Martita Ortega, which introduces Dynamic Air Flow channels in the frame to increase swing speed. Álex Ruiz’s signature Adipower Control Multiweight continues to offer elite precision with customizable weight options.
- Head: The Austrian brand’s 2025 range is headlined by the Head Coello Pro, a powerful diamond-shaped racket designed in collaboration with world number one Arturo Coello. It features upgraded Auxetic 2.0 technology for enhanced feel and a Power Foam core for an explosive response. The popular Speed series, including the teardrop-shaped Speed Pro used by Ari Sánchez, has also been updated for players seeking an ideal blend of power and control.
- Bullpadel: The 2025 Bullpadel collection showcases a deep roster of pro models. Paquito Navarro’s new Hack 04 features an innovative “Total Channel” technology in the frame, while Juan Tello’s Vertex 04 is engineered for maximum versatility. Fede Chingotto’s Neuron is designed for ultimate control, and the women’s line is strongly represented with signature rackets for Alejandra Salazar (Flow) and Delfi Brea (Vertex 04 W).
This focus on pro-player models reveals a key market dynamic. Brands are no longer just selling technology; they are selling an identity. The growing visibility of the professional Premier Padel tour means that amateur players are more familiar than ever with the likes of Tapia, Galán, and Lebrón. This creates a powerful commercial ecosystem where the on-court success and playing style of a professional directly fuels consumer demand for their specific, high-margin signature racket. Amateurs are buying the racket not just for its carbon weave, but to emulate the magic of their heroes.
Step Up Your Game: The Latest in Padel Footwear
The 2025 padel shoe collections reflect the unique demands of the sport, with a focus on durability for abrasive court surfaces, multi-directional grip, and lightweight agility. Key releases hitting the UK market in August include the Adidas Crazyquick Boost, which incorporates the brand’s renowned Boost foam for explosive energy return. At the premium end of the market, the Head Motion Pro Boa introduces the innovative Boa dial-based fitting system for a perfectly secure and customized fit. Other major brands like Asics, Bullpadel, Babolat, and Wilson have also launched their 2025 lines, with common features including breathable mesh uppers and specialized sole patterns—typically herringbone or hexagonal—designed to provide the optimal grip for the sand-based artificial turf of a padel court.
Padel Hits the High Street: The Pulco Launch at Harrods
Perhaps the most significant development in padel equipment this month occurred off the court. In a landmark moment for the sport’s cultural standing in the UK, London-based apparel brand Pulco became the first-ever padel brand to launch in the iconic luxury department store, Harrods. Founded by Joe Middleton, the former President of Levi’s EMEA, Pulco is positioned as a premium “sport-luxe” brand, offering collections crafted from high-performance Italian fabrics that are designed to be worn both on and off the court.
This move is more than just a new clothing line; it is a cultural barometer. Harrods is a gatekeeper of luxury and does not stock brands for niche, fringe sports. Their decision to embrace Pulco reflects a clear belief that the padel demographic is affluent, style-conscious, and highly desirable. This legitimizes padel in the eyes of other luxury brands, potential high-end sponsors, and a new audience that may be drawn to the sport as much for its social and aesthetic appeal as its athletic benefits. In August 2025, padel officially became fashionable.
The State of the Game: Industry Growth and Community Spirit
Beyond the new courts and fresh gear, August revealed a deeper story about the maturing UK padel ecosystem. The month was characterized by strategic business moves, a growing focus on player development, and a powerful reminder of the community spirit that remains at the sport’s core.
Forging Alliances – The Business of Padel Matures
The industry is moving beyond simple court construction and into a phase of strategic partnership-building to accelerate growth. Padel United UK announced a key collaboration with Delta Hotels by Marriott in Colchester to install pop-up courts, a savvy move to tap into the lucrative hospitality sector and introduce the game to a transient audience of guests. This is indicative of a broader trend of offering “Padel-as-a-Service”—embedding the sport as a desirable amenity in non-traditional venues like business parks and leisure destinations. This strategy dramatically increases accessibility and exposure, reframing padel not just as a sport you travel to play, but as an activity that is conveniently available where you live, work, and stay.
On the professional front, the global Hexagon Cup tour announced a strategic partnership with The Padel Hub in the UK, a move designed to strengthen community engagement by linking a major international pro event with grassroots clubs.
Investing in People – Nurturing Talent and Inclusivity
With thousands of new players picking up a racket, the focus is shifting towards providing high-quality coaching and ensuring the sport’s culture remains inclusive.
- The Padel School’s First UK Academy: In a significant boost for UK coaching standards, The Padel School, founded by the highly respected Farquharson brothers, announced the upcoming opening of its first British academy at Padel Maidenhead. This signals a growing recognition that structured, professional coaching is essential to retain new players and develop domestic talent.
- House of Racquet: Highlighting a conscious effort to ensure balanced growth, August saw news of Lauren van der Westhuizen’s initiative to launch House of Racquet. Billed as the UK’s “first female-founded padel club,” its stated aim is to create “more balance” in the sport, ensuring that padel’s community is welcoming and representative of all.
The Heart of the Sport – Community and Charity
Despite its rapid commercialization, the unique social fabric of padel remains one of its greatest assets. This was powerfully demonstrated by the 24-hour padel marathon held at Skipton Padel Club on August 25th. The event was organized to raise money for Luke Mortimer, a 12-year-old boy who had to undergo amputations of his arms and legs after contracting Meningococcal Meningitis Septicaemia. This incredible effort from the local padel community is a testament to the powerful, supportive, and charitable ethos that underpins the sport’s culture.
The Digital Pulse – Padel’s Online Boom
The on-court explosion is being mirrored in the digital world. Research released in August by World Padel Network revealed that online search interest in padel in the UK has hit an all-time high, increasing by a staggering 165% over the past year. Analysis of the top search terms shows a healthy mix of queries from both engaged players (“padel racket,” “Adidas padel”) and curious newcomers (“padel near me,” “padel rules”), indicating a market that is both commercially active and still in a strong growth phase.
All these developments point to a powerful, self-reinforcing growth cycle. Increased grassroots participation and media visibility—quantified by the surge in online searches—drives commercial investment in high-quality courts and professional events. This professionalization, from pro-endorsed gear to high-profile partnerships, makes the sport more aspirational, which in turn fuels more grassroots interest. Initiatives like The Padel School and community events like the Skipton marathon are the engine room of this cycle, converting initial curiosity into long-term, passionate players and ensuring the entire ecosystem is sustainable. August 2025 was not just another month for UK padel; it was the month this engine roared to life.