A few days ago, Ale Galan predicted the end of World Padel Tour. The Madrilenian was not mistaken since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has just acquired the circuit financed by Damm!

The WPT disappears after 10 years of existence

This agreement, which is the fruit of several months of negotiations, allows QSI to acquire the commercial assets of the WPT. THE World Padel Tour, after 10 years of existence, will therefore cease to exist as such, the two competing circuits merging under the name of Premier Padel, which will remain the only official circuit of the International Federation of Padel.

We understand that the tour managed by Setpoint Events SA, which has long tried to keep players under contract, has finally lost its battle against the heavyweight QSI.

The end of disputes between players and circuits

According to the press release from the FIP, “the agreement also provides for the resolution of ongoing disputes between the parties, including those involving QSI, FIP and players of padel professionals who participated in both tours. Completion of the agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals.”

This therefore means that players who have participated in the tournaments of Premier Padel, a time under threat from the WPT for not respecting the exclusivity clause, no longer have to worry.

2023 will end with both circuits

The agreement provides that Premier Padel will absorb the WPT from 2024. The 2023 season will therefore end as it began, with two separate circuits, and therefore a very busy program for the players... But as Bela said, they have nothing to complain about "We have to hold on because we were ready to make this effort so that the padel profession can change once and for all and the future of this sport be incredible.”

Finally, the legendary Argentine player was not mistaken, the future of the padel professional will change with this news!

Madrid Premier Padel 2023
MADRID SPAIN JULY 23 Madrid Premier Padel 2023 at Madrid Arena on July 23 2023 in Madrid Spain Photo by Silvestre SzpylmaQuality Sport ImagesMadrid Premier Padel

The WPT beaten, but applauded

After months of vagueness, the news visibly rejoices all the people who are at the origin of this agreement.

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments and of Premier Padel : “This is a historic moment for the padel, which will eventually see the two main professional circuits of padel unified in a single world circuit, Premier Padel, under the governance of the International Federation of padel – from next year. QSI is proud to be at the heart of the development and professionalization of the padel around the world, always putting players at the center of our mission to grow the game everywhere. We are very excited to open this new chapter”.

Demetrio Carceller Arce, Executive Chairman of Damm : "The World Padel Tour now enters a new phase under the leadership of QSI, which will contribute to accelerating the international growth of the circuit. Damm is proud to have contributed to the development of the padel professional, doing World Padel Tour a global reference, with more than 4 million followers. This allowed the padel to become the fastest growing sport in the world in recent years, with extremely positive advances for the entire sports industry. padel". 

Luigi Carraro, President of the International Federation of padel "As the governing body of padel world, we are delighted to see the union of two great tours in a fantastic world circuit. The International Federation of padel thanks Damm for his immense contribution to the padel through the World Padel Tour since its inception in 2013. Now we look forward to the fantastic next phase of development and growth of the padel professional under Premier Padel, which will benefit the entire community of the padel, including national federations and – more importantly – players and the next generation.”  

It is therefore a new era that is starting for the padel professional, with most likely a lighter schedule for players who will finally have more time to prepare and rest.

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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