This August, Olympia London will host Britain's first-ever Premier Padel event — a landmark moment for a sport that's grown faster in the UK than almost anywhere else in Europe. Running from 4–9 August as part of the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, the tournament will bring the world's top-ranked pairs to English soil for the very first time.
It's the kind of moment UK padel has been building toward for years. Search interest in the sport grew by 121% between 2024 and 2025 alone — faster than any other market in Europe — and the arrival of a top-tier professional event is as much a reflection of that growth as it is a catalyst for more of it.
Why London, and why now?
Premier Padel's 2026 season spans 26 tournaments across 18 countries, but the addition of a UK date wasn't inevitable. It's a direct response to demand: British padel participation has quadrupled in under five years, and with court numbers projected to pass 1,300 by the end of 2026, the infrastructure is finally catching up to player interest.
For clubs like ours, events like this matter beyond the headline. They introduce padel to people who've never picked up a racket, and they raise the ceiling for what players already in the sport can aspire to.
What this means for VDP players
A few things worth knowing if you're a regular at one of our clubs:
Expect a noticeable jump in interest and new faces at your local club over the coming months — it's a great time to bring along a friend who's been curious about trying padel.
Our coaching team will be running a handful of watch-party and clinic sessions tied to the tournament — keep an eye on the What's On page for dates.
If you fancy making a trip of it, tickets for the London event go on general sale shortly — we'll share booking links as soon as they're confirmed.
Whatever your level, it's a genuinely exciting moment to be part of this sport in the UK. We'll have more coverage as the tournament approaches — including how to watch if you can't make it to Olympia in person.
