The National Association of Padel (ANP), created in April 2026, aims to structure private padel in France.  Led in partnership with the Union Sport & Cycle, this initiative comes at a time of strong growth for the sport, where private clubs play a central role in the ecosystem. The stated objective is clear: to support and organize the development of padel throughout the country, complementing the institutional role of the French Tennis Federation.

The ANP positions itself as a representative body for stakeholders in commercial padel. It aims to unite private clubs, advocate for their economic interests, and contribute to the overall structuring of the sport. Its missions include supporting development, training stakeholders (coaches, referees, organizers), producing educational materials, and improving competition coordination.

National Association of Padel Partner or counter-power engaged against the FFT?

French padel today rests on two complementary pillars. On the one hand, commercial establishments concentrate the majority of players and infrastructure. On the other, the FFT (French Tennis Federation) regulates the sport through licenses, competition organization, and rankings. In this context, the ANP (National Padel Association) does not replace the federation but seeks to establish itself as a structured partner for the private sector.

The creation of the ANP follows a pattern already observed in the past. Several attempts to consolidate private clubs had emerged but failed to establish themselves permanently, often due to disagreements between stakeholders. The difference today lies in the market's level of maturity, with padel now firmly established in the sporting and economic landscape.

One key question remains: will this new structure be able to establish itself in the long term? Its ability to unite stakeholders with diverse interests, to speak with one voice, and to find its place within the institutions will be crucial for its future role in French padel.

Franck Binisti

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.

On the same subject

Tags