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 pending disputes between the parties, including those involving QSI, the FIP and professional padel players who participated in both tours. The conclusion 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 must hold on because we were willing to make this effort so that professional padel can change once and for all and the future of this sport is incredible.”

Finally, the legendary Argentinian player was not wrong, the future of professional padel 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 padel, which will eventually see the two main professional padel circuits unified into a single world circuit, Premier Padel, under the governance of the International Padel Federation – starting next year. QSI is proud to be at the heart of the development and professionalization of padel worldwide, always placing players at the center of our mission to grow the sport everywhere. We are very excited to open this new chapter.”

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

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

This is therefore a new era that begins for professional padel, with most likely a lighter calendar for players who will finally have more time to prepare and rest.

Xan is a fan of padel. But also of rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel players, he finds atypical posts or deals with current topics. He also gives you some advice to develop your physique for padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the padel court!