The Premier Padel circuit is on a rapid expansion path, with many cities vying to join the prestigious roster of Major tournaments in 2025. This year, Doha, Rome, Paris, and the soon-to-be Major in Acapulco have showcased their iconic venues, passionate fans, and world-class padel experience. The Premier Padel tour’s first full year as a global circuit has demonstrated its potential to reach more fans and new destinations.
A competitive field of new cities
Alongside the established majors, Padel Magazine’s sources within Premier Padel report a growing interest from cities worldwide eager to host a major tournament. As padel’s popularity surges, top venues are keen to showcase their infrastructure and commitment to the sport. While Roland Garros, one of the tour's iconic locations, sees its current contract concluding at the end of this year, numerous cities are presenting strong cases to join or elevate their status in the padel circuit. This international competition reflects an impressive level of enthusiasm and confidence in the sport's expanding global reach.
Madrid, a natural candidate
Madrid is inseparable from the history of padel. Already hosting a P1, the Spanish capital has set its sights on something bigger. With one of the most passionate fanbases and a proven track record in organizing major events, Madrid is a strong contender for a major. For Premier Padel, placing a major in one of the sport’s heartlands seems like a logical move, adding further prestige to the circuit.
Dubai, the eternal rival of Qatar
Dubai, with its recent P1, is eyeing a major of its own. However, it faces stiff competition from its neighbor Qatar, which has been a major host since the inception of Premier Padel. Qatar’s strengths include world-class infrastructure, flawless organization, and strategic backing from QSI (Qatar Sports Investments). Dubai, on the other hand, brings a desire to outshine its regional competitor. One shared weakness between these Gulf nations is the relatively low fan engagement compared to countries like Spain or Argentina. Still, this challenge is not exclusive to the Middle East, as several European candidates face similar limitations.
London: an outsider with growing ambitions
The UK is not yet as established in padel as Spain or Argentina, but London is showing clear ambitions. The British capital is already positioning itself for a Premier Padel event and could eventually aim for a major. While it might not secure one by 2025, London is likely to earn a significant spot in another category of the circuit in the near future.
New York: the gateway to the United States
In 2025, Premier Padel will officially enter the U.S. market with an event, and New York is a natural contender for a major in the coming years. Renowned for hosting world-class events, the city could provide the circuit with unparalleled visibility and strategic access to the North American market. With padel’s growing popularity in the U.S., a major in New York could become a reality soon.
Mar del Plata: a safe bet for the show
On the American continent, competition will be fierce with Argentina. Mar del Plata, already hosting a successful P1, exemplifies the passion of local fans for padel. With an engaged and knowledgeable audience, the city stands out as an ideal candidate for a major. Such a decision would broaden the circuit’s geographical reach while reinforcing its presence in a country deeply rooted in the sport’s history.
Negotiations ongoing with Roland Garros
According to Padel Magazine's sources, Premier Padel and the FFT are still actively negotiating for Roland Garros to host the event in 2025 and beyond. However, the tour has expressed its excitement at the level of international interest in hosting a major, noting that global enthusiasm continues to drive the sport's rapid expansion.
is Paris and Roland-Garros at risk of losing its Major?
Could Paris lose its major? As a French-speaking media outlet, we may naturally lean toward saying no. But let’s examine the facts. Roland Garros is one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. For Premier Padel, hosting an event at this venue means embracing its rich history, its legendary players, and its global recognition. Players are passionate about this stage, and it has become a favorite on the tour. Additionally, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) is arguably one of the most powerful padel federations in the world. Turning down the FFT, especially after its significant investments to promote the Paris major, would be a bold and potentially risky move. Moreover, France, once on the sidelines of the international padel scene, is now emerging as a stronghold. Taking away the major from Paris at a time when France is becoming a central player in the sport would seem counterintuitive.
Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.