Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) & Damm Announce Historic World Padel Tour (WPT) Agreement
August 25 2023
In a groundbreaking move that promises to reshape the landscape of the professional sport of padel, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has struck a historic accord with Damm, the proprietor of Setpoint Events overseeing the World Padel Tour (WPT). This strategic arrangement paves the way for QSI's acquisition of the WPT, a momentous stride forward in the world of sports investments.
The ramifications of this agreement are profound. Qatar Sports Investments, a formidable player in the sports investment domain, joins hands with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Professional Padel Association as the architects of Premier Padel, the revolutionary tour that has rapidly ascended the ranks. Emblematic of collaboration and consolidation, the union of Premier Padel and WPT signals the dawn of a new era, poised to redefine the professional padel sphere under the aegis of the International Padel Federation.
The negotiations leading up to this momentous announcement spanned months and culminated in Qatar Sports Investments's acquisition of World Padel Tour's business assets. The agreement also holds the promise of resolving lingering disputes amongst the stakeholders, including Qatar Sports Investments, the International Padel Federation and the professional padel players who have partaken in both tours. The agreement's finalisation is contingent upon customary regulatory approvals, heralding a process poised to reshape the padel landscape.
For the remainder of the calendar year 2023, the standalone World Padel Tour and Premier Padel tours will proceed as scheduled, each pursuing its unique trajectory. However, the subsequent calendar year holds a transformational promise as the competitions coalesce into a singular, globally resonant entity – the Premier Padel global tour – administered by International Padel Federation, a metamorphosis set to unfold in 2024.
A decade since its inception in 2013, the World Padel Tour has held sway as the preeminent force in the padel domain. With its imprint spanning over 26 men's and women's tournaments across 14 countries, backed by 17 global sponsors, broadcasting rights in excess of 150 countries, and an impressive social media following nearing 4 million, the World Padel Tour has carved an indelible niche in the sport.
On the other end of the spectrum, Premier Padel, a nascent contender, emerged on the scene in 2022, swiftly cementing itself as one of the world's swiftest burgeoning tours. In its inaugural year, over 500 global players converged in Premier Padel tournaments, gracing iconic venues such as the hallowed Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. Bolstered by the backing of the International Padel Players Association and the PPA, Premier Padel orchestrated a meteoric ascent, fortified by multi-year broadcast agreements spanning 180+ countries and captivating over 150 million households. The 2022 Premier Padel season, in its debut year, captured the attention of 22.7 million viewers on YouTube, underscoring its rapid rise.
Undoubtedly, this unprecedented alignment, spearheaded by Qatar Sports Investments's strategic maneuvering, augurs a seismic shift in the world of padel. As the sun sets on 2023 and dawns on 2024, the global padel landscape braces itself for a unified and resurgent Premier Padel tour, a testament to the power of synergy and the potential to propel this sport to new, unprecedented heights.
For full announcement, visit: worldpadeltour.com
The ramifications of this agreement are profound. Qatar Sports Investments, a formidable player in the sports investment domain, joins hands with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Professional Padel Association as the architects of Premier Padel, the revolutionary tour that has rapidly ascended the ranks. Emblematic of collaboration and consolidation, the union of Premier Padel and WPT signals the dawn of a new era, poised to redefine the professional padel sphere under the aegis of the International Padel Federation.
The negotiations leading up to this momentous announcement spanned months and culminated in Qatar Sports Investments's acquisition of World Padel Tour's business assets. The agreement also holds the promise of resolving lingering disputes amongst the stakeholders, including Qatar Sports Investments, the International Padel Federation and the professional padel players who have partaken in both tours. The agreement's finalisation is contingent upon customary regulatory approvals, heralding a process poised to reshape the padel landscape.
For the remainder of the calendar year 2023, the standalone World Padel Tour and Premier Padel tours will proceed as scheduled, each pursuing its unique trajectory. However, the subsequent calendar year holds a transformational promise as the competitions coalesce into a singular, globally resonant entity – the Premier Padel global tour – administered by International Padel Federation, a metamorphosis set to unfold in 2024.
A decade since its inception in 2013, the World Padel Tour has held sway as the preeminent force in the padel domain. With its imprint spanning over 26 men's and women's tournaments across 14 countries, backed by 17 global sponsors, broadcasting rights in excess of 150 countries, and an impressive social media following nearing 4 million, the World Padel Tour has carved an indelible niche in the sport.
On the other end of the spectrum, Premier Padel, a nascent contender, emerged on the scene in 2022, swiftly cementing itself as one of the world's swiftest burgeoning tours. In its inaugural year, over 500 global players converged in Premier Padel tournaments, gracing iconic venues such as the hallowed Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. Bolstered by the backing of the International Padel Players Association and the PPA, Premier Padel orchestrated a meteoric ascent, fortified by multi-year broadcast agreements spanning 180+ countries and captivating over 150 million households. The 2022 Premier Padel season, in its debut year, captured the attention of 22.7 million viewers on YouTube, underscoring its rapid rise.
Undoubtedly, this unprecedented alignment, spearheaded by Qatar Sports Investments's strategic maneuvering, augurs a seismic shift in the world of padel. As the sun sets on 2023 and dawns on 2024, the global padel landscape braces itself for a unified and resurgent Premier Padel tour, a testament to the power of synergy and the potential to propel this sport to new, unprecedented heights.
For full announcement, visit: worldpadeltour.com