A1 Padel, the circuit founded by Fabrice Pastor, should come under Saudi control via the group Weare54A major change that is part of the Saudi strategy to expand its influence in sport.

A game-changing takeover

This acquisition is not simply about maintaining the circuit as it is. The Saudis have a much more ambitious plan: rebuild a professional padel circuit from scratch, with the aim of competing directly Premier Padel from 2026. To do this, they are counting on colossal financial resources and a global vision that could completely redefine the rules of the game.

Immediate consequences for A1 Padel

The impact on the current organization has been brutal: more than 90% of employees have been laid off, and some tournaments scheduled for 2025 have been suspended. For the players, it's also a shock. Some have had no news regarding their compensation, particularly for past tournaments.

The first sign of this crisis was the cancellation of the Master of Saint John, followed by a very critical post from Aitor Lanz, former deputy director of A1 Padel, which deplored the financial situation of the circuit. This message was later deleted, but concern remains among the players and staff.

post X aitor lanz, later deleted

An ambitious and risky project

The new Saudi project does not just aim to maintain A1 Padel : he wants create a rival circuit de Premier Padel, with some attractive salaries, strategic partnerships and large-scale marketing campaignsThe idea is to redefine the world padel scene by attracting the biggest stars and structuring unique tournaments.

After having invested massively in sport with projects like the LIFE Golf, Saudi Arabia now wants to make padel its next global playground. The stakes are therefore considerable, and uncertainty is growing for players who were counting on A1 Padel for their 2025 season.

A shake-up for world padel?

If Saudi Arabia's ambition comes to fruition, the balance of professional padel could shift. Between financial opportunities and the risk of fragmentation, the project is a matter of debate. In any case, this new chapter will be written with considerable resources and a clear desire to make padel a major sport on the international scene.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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