The Pro Padel League (PPL), the world’s leading professional padel league, will launch its highly anticipated 2026 regular season with its opening event at Manhattan’s iconic Hammerstein Ballroom from July 9-12.
Returning to New York City for four days of elite competition, the season opener will feature all 10 PPL teams and more than 50 of the world’s top men’s and women’s players, marking the start of the league’s most expansive and competitive season to date. Some stand out names who will be competing include Alejandro Ruiz (Toronto Polar Bears), Leonel ‘Tolito’ Aguirre (Los Angeles Beat), Sofia Araujo (DC Matrix), and Claudia Jensen (San Diego Stingrays).
“Opening our 2026 season here in New York is an incredible moment for our league,” said Mike Dorfman, CEO of the Pro Padel League. “This week represents everything we’re working to build - world-class competition, meaningful opportunities for our players, and new ways to introduce more fans to padel through our partners, broadcast reach, and community initiatives. We’re excited to welcome new fans to the sport and continue growing the game together.”
SEASON OPENING & 2026 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
The 2026 PPL season officially begins July 9–12 in New York City at Hammerstein Ballroom, marking the first of five events across North America. The tour then heads to Los Angeles (Aug. 13–16), Playa del Carmen (Sept. 24–27), and Guadalajara (Nov. 19–22). The season concludes in Miami, widely recognized as the padel capital of the United States, where The City’s Cup will crown the league’s men's, women's, and overall champions Dec. 3–6.
Additionally, ahead of the season opener, the PPL NY Atlantics will host a community clinic at Mink Padel in Harlem, bringing together professional players and coaches with youth from StreetSquash and the Uptown Inner City League for an introduction to the sport. Through on-court instruction, agility training, player meet-and-greets, and equipment giveaways, the event reflects the league's commitment to expanding access to padel and inspiring the next generation of players.
GROWTH & INVESTMENT
The PPL enters the 2026 season with strong commercial momentum after raising $25 million in funding in less than 18 months, including a $15 million Series A round led by Charlotte Hornets Co-Chairman & Governor Rick Schnall, with participation from venture capital firm Left Lane Capital.
The investment builds on the league's rapid expansion and rising franchise valuations. Over the past year, multiple PPL franchises have been valued at more than $10 million, underscoring growing investor confidence in the league and the long-term trajectory of professional padel in North America.
Beyond traditional investment, the PPL continues to attract high-profile athletes and global sports figures into its ownership ecosystem including, international polo star Nacho Figueras who recently joined the ownership group of the Florida Goats.
Figueras joins a growing group of notable PPL investors that includes ATP tennis star Frances Tiafoe, AFC Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Paes, and Edward Rogers, Chair of the Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
RECORD PARTNERSHIPS
The league’s 2026 season is supported by a record global partnership portfolio spanning sport, luxury, travel, and emerging technology.
Recent and current partners include watchmaker Frederique Constant, leading sporting goods brand Franklin Sports, racket manufacturer Padeltek, travel management platform Engine, luxury trophy and awards partner Asprey, and prediction market platform Kalshi.
The PPL also recently announced expanded media distribution through Versant Media’s CNBC, further strengthening national television coverage and bringing professional padel to a broader mainstream audience in 2026.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT (PPL II & 2026 PLAYER DRAFT)
To further strengthen the sport’s long-term growth and competitive pipeline, the PPL recently launched PPL II, a dedicated player development league designed to identify, support, and elevate the next generation of professional padel talent across North America.
Launched in March 2026, PPL II provides structured competition, development opportunities, and more than $350,000 in guaranteed compensation and prize money, reinforcing the league’s commitment to building a sustainable professional pathway for players.
The PPL also completed the first-ever auction-model player draft for a U.S. professional sports league, where the league’s 10 teams selected from a global pool of more than 300 registered players to finalize their 2026 season rosters. The historic draft featured 21 players - 12 men and 9 women - selected across four rounds through a live auction process, with teams competing directly for individual players and determining both compensation and roster rights through competitive bidding.
The inaugural draft drew players from 23 countries around the world, including Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and the United States, further highlighting the rapid global growth of padel and the PPL’s continued commitment to building a professional pathway for the sport’s next generation of talent.
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