Pro Padel League: North America’s Big Padel Bet for 2026
5 Dec 2025
In North America, padel doesn’t yet have decades of tradition. What it does have is ambition – and the Pro Padel League (PPL) is the clearest expression of that ambition.
What the PPL Is Trying to Do
The concept:
A franchise-based league with city-branded teams.
Centralised events where all teams gather in a single venue over several intense days.
A mix of international pros and local talent to connect global level with local growth.
It’s designed to feel like a show: banners, music, content, and a lot of matches in a short time.
Why It’s Important for 2026
2026 is a pivotal year because:
Court construction in North America is exploding; the league can ride that wave or miss it.
TV/streaming deals and social media reach will determine how fast awareness grows.
The PPL can become a bridge: introducing casual sports fans to padel and pointing them towards local clubs.
Success won’t be measured only by who wins the league, but by how many people start playing because they saw it.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths:
Easy narrative: “Your city vs. theirs.”
A compact format that’s great for fans who want a full day of action.
High ceiling for storytelling and shoulder content (behind-the-scenes, player features, etc.).
Challenges:
Educating a new audience about rules and basic strategies.
Competing for attention with established sports.
Ensuring the calendar doesn’t clash too heavily with international events.
Practical Tasks
For North American clubs & fans:
Align club events (tournaments, open days) with PPL dates to ride the hype.
Host PPL watch parties and simple “intro to padel” sessions for newcomers.
Track how many new players at your club first heard about padel through the PPL – it’s a good internal metric of impact.