The Pro Am Padel Tour has added the Lawn Tennis Association and Skechers to its growing roster of sponsors for the 2025 season, joining returning partners CUPRA, Certina and Nox, as the sport continues its rapid ascent in the UK.
The Pro Am Padel Tour has agreed new partnerships with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Skechers for its 2025 season, as the fast-growing racket sport continues to gain ground across the UK.
Announced today (July 3), the LTA joins as Strategic Partner following its co-hosting role at the opening Community Day in East London last month, aiming to increase grassroots access and participation.
According to data shared by the tour, 86% of attendees at the event had never played padel before, while 93% said they would definitely or probably play again.
The addition of Skechers as Official Footwear Partner further expands the tour’s commercial roster, with returning sponsors CUPRA, Nox, and Certina also confirmed for the 2025 campaign.
Oliver Morgan, founder of the Pro Am Padel Tour, said the partnerships bring “real energy and purpose” to the season.
“These partnerships help us use the platform not just to raise awareness through celebrity engagement but to grow padel at a grassroots level, open up access, and build long-term interest in the sport across the UK,” he added.
The announcement comes at a time when padel is experiencing exponential growth both globally and domestically. The number of players worldwide has exceeded 30 million, and over 70,000 courts have been built globally, according to a 2025 report from Playtomic and Deloitte.
In 2024 alone, more than 3,200 new padel clubs were opened worldwide, representing a 26% year-on-year increase in court infrastructure.
In Britain, padel is on a similarly steep trajectory. The LTA reported in May that more than 400,000 adults and juniors played the sport at least once in the previous 12 months, representing a 2,500% increase from 2019. Court numbers have also expanded rapidly, with 893 courts now available at 300 venues across Great Britain. The LTA has invested over £6 million into padel infrastructure to date, including £4.5 million to support the development of 80 courts at 42 venues.
Tom Murray, Head of Padel at the LTA, said: “By working with the Pro Am Padel Tour, we can facilitate more youth programmes and inspire the next generation of players. This will not only enhance the sustainability of padel but also expand our player base.”
Padel’s appeal lies in its accessibility, sociability and relatively low technical barrier compared to tennis.
The commercial ecosystem around padel is also expanding. As The Times reported in May, British startups such as Game4Padel and Pure Padel have attracted substantial investment, with demand from leisure operators, investors and local authorities keen to capitalise on the sport’s momentum.
However, the rapid growth has not been without friction. Some communities have raised concerns about noise and planning disputes related to outdoor padel courts. A report likened the sound of play to “machine-gun fire”, highlighting rising local opposition to new court developments in residential areas.
Celebs back new phenomenon
The Pro Am Padel Tour, founded in 2023, aims to bring together elite padel professionals and high-profile figures from sport and entertainment. Previous participants include Olympians, former Premier League footballers, and British tennis stars. The 2025 tour will continue across two further cities before culminating in a Grand Final in Central London this October.
Each event combines community taster sessions, professional exhibition matches and brand activations. At the Beckton opener, the LTA delivered youth clinics, inclusive sessions for SEND athletes, and training opportunities for teachers. Participants also received follow-up opportunities including vouchers for local padel sessions, LGBTQ+ socials, and school sport initiatives in Newham.
As part of its 2025 activation, Skechers unveiled product drops from its court and pickleball collections, while CUPRA showcased its automotive range, and Certina awarded MVP timepieces to standout players. Racket specialist Nox supplied equipment for players and beginners alike.
The tour’s expansion aligns with broader momentum within British padel. Earlier this month, Aimee Gibson became the first British woman to break into the top 100 of the FIP world rankings, and multiple British players are now competing internationally.
