With the ongoing Miami Open drawing international tennis stars to the city, another racquet sport is making its inaugural appearance in Miami: the Premier Padel league. This weekend, the Miami Beach Convention Center hosted the first-ever Premier Padel tournament in the United States, marking a significant milestone for the sport in America. The event has generated considerable enthusiasm among both players and local residents, positioning Miami as a new hub for professional padel tennis.
The Premier Padel Tour, established in Qatar in 2022, has rapidly expanded to become a prominent global circuit with over 25 events annually and more than 500 players competing worldwide. Its decision to host the U.S. debut in Miami underscores the city’s growing influence and vibrant sports culture. A key reason for selecting Miami was the city’s booming padel scene, which has seen increasing popularity among residents and visitors alike. As one of the tour’s players, Jorge Nieto, emphasized, “It’s really important for us to play here in Miami — it’s a great city — and also play in the United States. I think it’s a great market for us.”
The event was part of a lively seven-day celebration of racquet sports, coinciding with the Miami Open, Racquet X, and the spring break festivities, making it a magnet for sports fans and tourists. Throughout the weekend, several professional players set up at the Ultra Padel Club, offering free clinics and engaging with the Miami community. This outreach aimed to introduce locals to padel, a sport that is growing rapidly in popularity across the globe.
Additionally, the event showcased the sport’s commercial growth, with new equipment from Babolat Padel being promoted. Babolat’s Executive Jose Luis Sanz highlighted the potential for padel’s expansion in the U.S., stating, “Padel in the USA could be bigger than in Europe. We see the potential of the market, we see the love for the racquet and the sport, and we know that padel is the perfect fit, the racquet experience in the U.S.” The enthusiasm was reflected in the positive responses from local residents, many of whom enjoyed the opportunity to interact with pro players and learn more about the game.
One attendee, Paula Roselom, expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s actually one of the best events I’ve been to right now, so I will definitely enjoy its time here.” The presence of high-level professional players and the variety of clinics helped foster community engagement and curiosity about the sport. With Miami’s enthusiastic reception, organizers plan to expand the tour’s presence in the city in the coming years, with hopes of establishing regular professional padel events.
Overall, the debut of Premier Padel in Miami is seen as a promising step in growing the sport’s footprint across the United States. Local officials and sports enthusiasts alike are optimistic that the sport will continue to flourish. As the tour wraps up its inaugural first American event this weekend, the sport’s future in Miami appears bright, with plans in place to bring more tournaments to the city and solidify its role as a major North American padel hub.
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