Padel 2025: The Year Padel Went Global — Breaking Down the Premier Padel Tour Merger and Its Impact
By Padel Content Team
In 2025, padel took a giant leap from regional devotion to global dominance. The unified professional padel circuit is starting in 2025, creating a new era for the sport. This watershed year saw the formal merger of the World Padel Tour (WPT) with Premier Padel—ushering in a unified, Qatar Airways–backed “Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour.” With 24 tournaments spanning 16 countries, the sport’s true globalization is underway.
1. From Rivalry to Unity: The Merger That Changed Everything
After years of parallel circuits, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired WPT assets, merging it with its own Premier Padel tour under International Padel Federation (FIP) governance. The agreement between these major entities—Premier Padel, WPT, QSI, and FIP—is creating a unified global circuit, with the president of the International Padel Federation playing a key leadership role. As of June 2025, this consolidation has streamlined the professional calendar and centralized management, eliminating conflicts and strengthening padel’s global structure. The launch of the unified circuit will accelerate the growth of professional padel and streamline the way fans follow the sport.
2. A Tour Without Borders: 2025 Calendar Highlights
The new Qatar Airways–branded tour kicked off February 10 in Riyadh and quickly spread across continents. Cities like Málaga and Gijón are proud to host major tournaments, and these places are opening new frontiers for padel by taking padel to new countries and venues. Highlights include inaugural stops in Miami and Cancun (March); tournaments across South America, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; and a season capped by the Barcelona Finals in December.
The season includes four Majors and 24 events total. The Cupra FIP Tour is also included in the consolidated calendar and continues to operate alongside the main circuit, providing more opportunities for players at different levels. The Australian Open is now home to padel events, reflecting the sport's expansion into iconic places.
3. What This Means for Players & Fans
Players benefit from a single, cohesive world tour—better scheduling, clearer rankings, and more exposure.
Fans now enjoy consistent access to top-tier tournaments across the globe, enhanced broadcast—culminating in the Finals—and lifecycle engagement via digital platforms. The unified circuit makes it easier for fans to follow their favorite players and thrilling matches, and the new ranking system will be based on official titles.
Sponsors & Stakeholders, including Qatar Airways, gain visibility across new markets, from North America to the Middle East, fostering further growth.
The number of padel courts, clubs, and new clubs opening worldwide reflects the sport's fast growth and are clear signs of its rising popularity. Padel is easy to learn and fun to play, making it accessible for all levels and attracting new players to pick up the sport. The experience of playing padel is social and engaging, and both amateur and professional athletes compete at various levels, from beginners to pros.
4. Global Expansion & Legacy Growth
Premier Padel has unlocked growth beyond Europe and South America. Celebrities and athletes fuel the sport's growth, and the unified circuit is accelerating padel's global reach. U.S. expansion slotted for 2025 promises fresh fanbases and opportunities. In Spain, cities including Málaga and Gijón are hosting high-profile tournaments, generating economic and community impact.
A new alliance with the Hexagon Cup and FIP further establishes international reach and supports eventual Olympic inclusion. The future of padel looks bright, with the world's top players and pros competing for titles in new countries and at new clubs. The agreement between major entities is a sign of the sport's maturity, and industry reports reflect the ongoing expansion. Red Bull is also involved in padel content creation, supporting the sport's visibility through sports journalism and sponsorship.
What’s Next?
The launch of the unified circuit marks the starting point of a new era, and the sport will continue to grow as more clubs, courts, and players join the padel world. The padel community is proud of its achievements and excited for the future, and fans can look forward to more thrilling matches and inspiring stories.