Premier Padel is set to make its United Kingdom debut with the London P1 tournament at Olympia London from August 4 through 9, 2026.
The event features a £410,000 prize fund as participation in the racket sport continues to surge nationwide.
TNT Sports and HBO Max have acquired live broadcast rights across the UK and Ireland.
HBO Max will stream the full tournament, while TNT Sports 4 will provide linear coverage from the round-of-16 on August 6 through the finals on August 9.
French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has joined as the official retail partner, managing on-site merchandise and equipment through its in-house brand Kuikma.
Broadcast Partnership a Gamechanger
Trojan Paillot, vice president for rights, syndication, and commercial development at WBD Sports Europe, highlighted the broadcaster's commitment to expanding audiences.
"As a premium multi-sport broadcaster, we have a proven track record of broadening audiences around the widest range of events while elevating coverage through our passionate approach to sports storytelling across our highly scaled channels and platforms," he said.
Paillot added: "The momentum behind padel continues to grow so we’re delighted to benefit from this by partnering with Premier Padel to showcase the very best of the sport and its athletes for our viewers, increasing its visibility and supporting its continued expansion both on the courts and on screens around the country."
Rob Mitchell, vice president of commercial at Premier Padel, called the partnership a gamechanger.
"Bringing padel and the London P1 event to TNT Sports and HBO Max is a gamechanger for the sport in the UK and Ireland," he said.
"With padel’s rapid growth and increasing global appeal, this partnership is a key step in expanding our reach and engaging new audiences across these strategic markets."
Stewart Hosford, chief executive for international business at Sela, the event promoter, emphasized the importance of live broadcast.
"As promoter of London P1, our ambition is to establish this event as one of the standout tournaments in the global Premier Padel calendar," he said.
"Live broadcast is an important part of that vision, bringing the energy and excitement of Olympia to fans across the UK and Ireland, and helping make this inaugural event a landmark moment for the sport."
Rapid Growth and Challenges
The UK expansion follows rapid infrastructure growth.
Court numbers have risen from 72 in 2019 to nearly 1,500 by late 2025, according to the UK Padel report.
Lawn Tennis Association figures show player participation exceeded 400,000 in 2024.
The 2026 international calendar includes 26 tournaments in 18 countries. Global estimates from Playtomic report over 58,000 courts and nearly 20,000 operational clubs worldwide.
Celebrity backing from figures like Andy Murray, who invested in operator Game4Padel, has further accelerated interest. However, venue operators face ongoing challenges surrounding court rental costs.
Booking fees reach up to £100 per hour at premium London locations such as Canary Wharf.
The Lawn Tennis Association reports average off-peak rates sit at £27, with European market trends indicating prices generally drop as venue availability expands.
Murray commented on the sport's appeal: "I like that it’s fast-paced. It’s less about power and more about placement."
Ben Harris of The Padel Directory noted the sport's growing popularity among children.
"Padel has an incredibly exciting future - we're even seeing children choose it as their main sport," he said.
"But success isn't just about building more courts. It's about making sure people have affordable opportunities to play."
Rosie Hepworth, a London civil servant, expressed concerns about cost. "I love the game, but I can't afford to play as much as I'd like," she said.
"The cost definitely slows down how quickly you can improve. It becomes a luxury rather than a hobby."
Houman Ashrafzadeh, founder and chief executive of Padium, highlighted the economic challenges.
"The economics of operating a club in central London are very different from somewhere like Spain," he said.
Following the London P1 event, the 2026 Premier Padel tour moves to Paris in September for its Major tournament held at the Roland Garros complex.
