Premier Padel UK Events: What to Watch & Where to Go
By Gary · 13 min read · 5 March 2026
By Gary, founder of RacketRise. Playing padel in the UK and tracking the sport's explosive growth.
Last Updated: March 2026
Quick Summary
- Premier Padel is the official international padel tour, backed by the FIP (International Padel Federation) and Qatar Sports Investments
- The UK has hosted Premier Padel events, bringing world-class professional padel to British audiences
- Top players to watch: Arturo Coello, Agustin Tapia, Ari Sanchez, Paula Josemaria — the best in the world
- Tickets are generally affordable, with options ranging from general admission to premium courtside seats
- Find courts near you — use the RacketRise Court Finder to book a session and try the sport yourself
Watching professional padel live is a completely different experience from watching it on a screen. The speed, the angles, the crowd atmosphere — it hits differently when you are courtside. Premier Padel events in the UK give British fans the chance to see the world's best players in action, and they are doing more for the sport's growth than almost anything else.
Quick Answer: Premier Padel is the official FIP-sanctioned professional padel tour, featuring the world's top-ranked players competing at events globally. The UK has hosted events as part of the tour calendar, typically in London. Tickets range from affordable general admission to premium courtside experiences. If you play padel — or even if you are just curious — attending a live Premier Padel event is the single best way to appreciate what the sport looks like at the highest level.
Table of Contents
- What Is Premier Padel?
- History of Premier Padel in the UK
- How to Get Tickets
- What to Expect at a Live Event
- Top Players to Watch
- Premier Padel vs World Padel Tour: What Changed?
- Watching on TV and Streaming
- How UK Events Help Grow the Sport
- Sources & Further Reading
- Related Articles
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Premier Padel?
Premier Padel is the official professional padel tour sanctioned by the FIP (Federación Internacional de Pádel — the International Padel Federation). It was launched in 2022 as a partnership between the FIP and Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the same investment group behind Paris Saint-Germain football club.
The key facts:
- Governing body: FIP — the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee
- Backing: Qatar Sports Investments, bringing significant financial muscle and global sports expertise
- Format: A multi-tier tour with Major events (the biggest), P1 events, and P2 events spread across the global calendar
- Players: The world's top-ranked male and female padel players compete on the tour
- Prize money: Substantial and growing — Premier Padel has significantly increased prize money compared to previous tour structures
- Global reach: Events across Europe, the Middle East, South America, and increasingly North America and Asia
Premier Padel represents the professionalisation and globalisation of padel at the highest level. Before its creation, the professional padel landscape was fragmented and primarily Spain-centric. Premier Padel has brought structure, investment, and international ambition to the sport.
History of Premier Padel in the UK
The UK's relationship with Premier Padel reflects the country's broader padel growth story — starting small but scaling quickly.
The first Premier Padel events on UK soil were held in London, capitalising on the city's established padel infrastructure, international accessibility, and growing player base. These events generated significant media attention and introduced thousands of British spectators to professional-level padel for the first time.
Why London? London is the natural home for Premier Padel in the UK. It has the largest concentration of padel players and courts, excellent transport links for international players and fans, and a track record of hosting major sporting events across all disciplines.
Regional expansion potential. As padel continues to grow beyond London — with Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds all seeing rapid facility development — there is growing appetite for Premier Padel events in other UK cities. Regional events would bring the sport's showcase moments to new audiences and could be transformative for local padel scenes.
For a full picture of London's padel landscape, see our Padel Courts in London guide.
How to Get Tickets
Premier Padel events in the UK typically offer several ticket tiers:
General Admission
Price range: £15-£30 per day (varies by event and round).
General admission gives you access to the venue and seating in the main stands. For early rounds, general admission is excellent value — you are close to the action and the atmosphere is building. For later rounds (semi-finals and finals), general admission fills up fast and seats go quickly.
Premium / Courtside
Price range: £50-£100+ per day.
Premium tickets put you courtside or in dedicated hospitality areas. The proximity to the players is remarkable — you can hear the ball on the racket, see the spin, and feel the intensity of every point. If you are serious about padel, a courtside seat at a Premier Padel event is an unforgettable experience.
Multi-Day Passes
Some events offer multi-day passes at a discount. These are ideal if you want to see the full tournament unfold from early rounds through to the final.
Where to Buy
- Official Premier Padel website: premierpadel.com — the primary ticket source
- Event-specific ticketing platforms: Links are typically shared when UK events are announced
- LTA channels: The LTA often promotes ticket availability for UK-based events
Tip: Sign up for Premier Padel and LTA newsletters to get early access to ticket sales. Popular events sell out, particularly finals weekend. Do not wait until the last minute.
What to Expect at a Live Event
If you have never attended a professional padel event, here is what to expect:
The Venue
Premier Padel events use a purpose-built show court — a tournament-grade padel court with full glass walls surrounded by tiered spectator seating. The setup is impressive, often with lighting, big screens, and sound systems that create a proper sporting arena atmosphere.
The Atmosphere
Padel crowds are vocal and passionate. The sport's Spanish and Latin American roots mean the crowd culture is energetic, responsive, and close to the action. Expect cheering, clapping, and genuine engagement with every point. It is closer to a football atmosphere than a tennis atmosphere — without the quiet-during-play conventions (though spectators do respect service moments).
The Speed of Play
Professional padel is fast. The reflexes, the shot selection, the angles — watching it live gives you an appreciation for the players' skill that television struggles to convey. Volleys at the net happen at blistering speed. Defensive lobs that look routine on screen are revealed as extraordinary feats of timing and placement when viewed courtside.
Off-Court Activities
Premier Padel events typically include:
- Exhibition matches and clinics. Opportunities to see players up close in informal settings.
- Equipment exhibitions. Racket brands, shoe companies, and accessory manufacturers showcase their latest products.
- Food and drink. Event catering and sometimes local food vendors.
- Merchandise. Official Premier Padel and player merchandise.
- Try-padel zones. Some events set up mini-courts where attendees can have a hit — great for introducing complete newcomers to the sport.
Duration
A full day at a Premier Padel event typically runs from late morning to evening, with multiple matches scheduled throughout the day. You do not have to stay for every match — many spectators come for specific rounds or sessions.
Top Players to Watch
Professional padel has genuine superstars — players whose skill, personality, and competitive fire make them must-watch athletes.
Arturo Coello
Nationality: Spanish | Playing style: Aggressive, powerful, spectacular
Coello is one of the most exciting players in professional padel. Young, explosive, and capable of shots that defy belief, he represents the next generation of padel talent. His overhead smashes and bandeja shots are highlight-reel material. If you attend an event and Coello is playing, make sure you are in your seat.
Agustin Tapia
Nationality: Argentine | Playing style: Creative, technically brilliant, unpredictable
Tapia is the magician of padel. His shot-making ability is extraordinary — he finds angles and executes touches that other players cannot even conceive. Watching Tapia play is watching padel as art. He regularly produces moments that make crowds gasp audibly.
Ari Sanchez
Nationality: Spanish | Playing style: Consistent, tactically astute, powerful
On the women's tour, Ari Sanchez is a dominant force. Her consistency under pressure and tactical intelligence set her apart. She plays with a composure that makes complex situations look simple — a hallmark of the truly elite.
Paula Josemaria
Nationality: Spanish | Playing style: Dynamic, athletic, aggressive
Josemaria brings intensity and athleticism to every match. She is one of the most exciting players on the women's tour — fast, powerful, and capable of turning defence into attack in a single shot. Her matches are consistently entertaining.
Other players to keep an eye on: Ale Galan, Federico Chingotto, Gemma Triay, and Delfi Brea are all world-class competitors who deliver exceptional padel at every event.
Premier Padel vs World Padel Tour: What Changed?
If you have followed padel for a few years, you may remember the World Padel Tour (WPT) — the previous dominant professional circuit. The transition to Premier Padel reshaped the professional landscape significantly.
The World Padel Tour was the premier professional padel circuit for over a decade, primarily based in Spain. It was privately owned and operated, and while it grew the sport enormously, there were criticisms around player contracts, revenue distribution, and the tour's resistance to internationalisation.
Premier Padel was created as the official FIP-sanctioned tour, offering:
- International expansion. Events across multiple continents rather than a Spain-heavy calendar.
- Higher prize money. Significantly increased purses for both men's and women's events.
- Player freedom. More flexible contractual arrangements for players.
- Institutional backing. FIP governance gives the tour legitimacy with national federations and the Olympic movement.
- Commercial investment. QSI's involvement brings financial stability and global sports marketing expertise.
The transition was not without controversy — there were legal disputes, player loyalty conflicts, and a period of uncertainty. But the professional padel landscape has now largely consolidated around the Premier Padel structure, and the sport is better positioned for global growth as a result.
Watching on TV and Streaming
If you cannot attend in person, Premier Padel is increasingly accessible through broadcast and streaming:
- Premier Padel's own channels. The tour streams matches live on its YouTube channel and social media platforms, often free of charge for selected matches.
- Broadcast partnerships. Premier Padel has secured deals with major broadcasters in various markets. UK coverage has grown alongside the sport's popularity.
- Social media highlights. Premier Padel's Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels produce excellent highlight packages, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes content. Even if you do not watch full matches, the highlights are worth following.
Tip: Following Premier Padel on social media is one of the best ways to stay informed about UK events, ticket releases, and player news.
How UK Events Help Grow the Sport
Premier Padel events on UK soil are not just sporting spectacles — they are growth engines for British padel.
Inspiration Effect
Watching world-class athletes play padel inspires people to try the sport. The "I want to do that" reaction is powerful. Venues across the UK report spikes in booking enquiries and beginner session attendance in the weeks following major events.
Media Coverage
Premier Padel events generate mainstream media coverage that everyday padel activity cannot. National newspapers, sports broadcasters, and online media cover the events, putting padel in front of audiences who might never have encountered the sport otherwise.
Sponsor and Investor Confidence
Successful UK events demonstrate to sponsors and investors that the UK padel market is viable and growing. This confidence translates into more sponsorship deals, more facility investment, and more commercial support for the sport at all levels.
Community Building
Events bring the UK padel community together. Club players, coaches, operators, and fans all converge. The networking, the shared enthusiasm, and the sense of belonging to a growing sporting movement are intangible but significant benefits.
Pathway Visibility
For young and aspiring British padel players, seeing the professional tour in their own country makes the pathway from club player to professional feel more tangible. It shows that padel is not just a recreational activity — it is a legitimate professional sport with real careers and real competition.
Sources & Further Reading
- Premier Padel — Official Website — Tour schedule, tickets, and player rankings
- FIP — International Padel Federation — Governing body information
- LTA — Padel in Britain — UK padel governance and events
Related Articles
- What Is Padel? Complete UK Beginner's Guide
- UK Padel Growth in 2026: Courts, Players & What's Next
- Padel Courts in London
- How to Play Padel: Rules & Scoring Explained
- Padel vs Tennis: What's the Difference?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Premier Padel?
Premier Padel is the official professional padel tour sanctioned by the FIP (International Padel Federation). Launched in 2022 with backing from Qatar Sports Investments, it features the world's top male and female padel players competing at events across the globe. It replaced the previous World Padel Tour as the primary professional circuit.
How much do Premier Padel tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary by event and round, but general admission typically ranges from £15-£30 per day. Premium and courtside tickets cost £50-£100+. Multi-day passes are sometimes available at a discount. Finals weekend commands the highest prices.
Where are Premier Padel UK events held?
UK events have been held in London, which has the largest padel infrastructure and player base. As padel grows in other UK cities, there is potential for regional events in Manchester, Birmingham, or other major cities in the future.
Can I watch Premier Padel on TV in the UK?
Yes — Premier Padel has broadcast partnerships and also streams selected matches live on its YouTube channel and social media platforms. UK broadcast coverage has grown alongside the sport's popularity. Following Premier Padel on social media is the best way to stay informed about live coverage options.
Who are the best padel players in the world?
On the men's tour, Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia are among the most exciting and successful players. On the women's tour, Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria are dominant forces. Other world-class players include Ale Galan, Federico Chingotto, Gemma Triay, and Delfi Brea. The standard of play at the top level is extraordinary.
How does attending a Premier Padel event help me as a player?
Watching professional padel live gives you a much deeper understanding of positioning, shot selection, and tactical patterns than watching on screen. You can see how top players move between shots, where they stand at the net, and how they construct points. Many club players report significant improvements in their own game after attending live events — not from copying specific shots, but from absorbing the tactical patterns and court awareness of the professionals.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Event details, ticket prices, and schedules are subject to change. Always check official sources for the latest information.
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