P1 Padel Miami: Where Does Padel Go From Here?
P1 Padel Miami is here, and it marks a turning point for the sport in the U.S.
I’ve lived in Miami for 12 years and watched padel explode over the past four. I never could have imagined the scene that exists now. It has completely changed my life. Dinners with friends and business associates inevitably turn into padel conversations—either about their latest match or a new investment opportunity. What used to be a niche sport is now at the center of Miami’s luxury, social, and business culture.
A Global Phenomenon on the Brink of U.S. Domination
Over the past two months, I’ve traveled from Los Angeles to New York, Nashville to the Dominican Republic (Casa de Campo), and London to Dubai, evaluating padel’s rise in each of these markets. In Europe, stadiums are filling up with 30,000–40,000 fans to watch a match. Tournaments like the Hexagon Cup are reshaping the sport with new formats, mixed-gender teams, and an emphasis on rising talent.
But nothing compares to what’s happening now: Premiere Padel has arrived in Miami.
It’s a defining moment for padel in the U.S. The sport has already had its boom-bust cycles in Argentina and Sweden, where rapid expansion outpaced long-term stability. But in the U.S., the potential feels massive—and we’re still in the very early days.
The Billion-Dollar Bet on Padel in the U.S.
The numbers are staggering. The global padel court market was valued at $3.81 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $12.51 billion by 2031, growing at a 14.21% CAGR. Digital live sports viewing in the U.S. is expected to increase by 21% by 2027, making padel perfectly positioned for mainstream adoption.
Major investors—from Wayne Boich (Reserve) to Nallé Grinda (Padel X)—are betting big on padel’s U.S. future. Celebrities like Jimmy Butler, Derek Jeter, and Andrew Schulz are bringing mainstream visibility. Luxury brands like Richard Mille are embedding themselves in the culture of the sport.
The GOAT is Leading the Charge
And now, Fernando “Bela” Belasteguín—the greatest padel player of all time—is at the center of it all as the Tournament Director for P1 Padel Miami.
For 16 straight years, Bela was the undisputed No. 1 player in the world. In a sport that thrives on speed, instinct, and strategy, his dominance was unheard of. He’s seen the rise of padel in Argentina, Spain, and the rest of Europe. Now, he’s bringing that experience to help shape padel’s future in the U.S.
The question is no longer if padel will take off in America. It’s how big can it get—and how fast?
With P1 Padel Miami as the launchpad, we’re about to find out.
Miami: The Perfect City for Padel’s Breakthrough
Miami is widely recognized as the epicenter of padel in the U.S., home to nearly 80 of the country’s 200 courts—a number that continues to grow. Expansion is rapidly moving into Palm Beach and Broward County, signaling that South Florida isn’t just embracing padel; it’s shaping the sport’s future in America. With a strong foundation in place, Miami has become the testing ground for new clubs, high-profile tournaments, and major investments, solidifying its status as the country’s leading padel market.
A City Built for Padel’s Growth
Beyond culture, Miami’s obsession with wellness, fitness, and social sports makes it the perfect fit. Padel, with its fast-paced yet accessible nature, is built for this environment. It’s as much a networking tool as it is a sport—whether you’re on the court at Reserve’s new luxury club in SoLé Mia or Padel X, the game is as social as it is competitive.
The investment backing padel’s expansion in Miami is staggering. Wayne Boich’s Reserve is redefining high-end padel experiences, while Nallé Grinda, one of the sport’s earliest U.S. pioneers, has played a pivotal role in bringing P1 Padel Miami to the city. Luxury brands like Richard Mille are embedding themselves in the culture, ensuring that padel is positioned alongside the world’s most elite sports.
And then there’s the celebrity factor. Jimmy Butler, Derek Jeter, and even comedian Andrew Schulz have all jumped into the padel movement, adding mainstream visibility and entertainment value. The presence of athletes and entertainers only fuels the sport’s momentum, making it feel like padel isn’t just growing—it’s about to explode.
With P1 Padel Miami as its showcase event, the city is trying to prove that padel isn’t just a passing trend.
P1 Padel Miami: Bringing the Full Padel Experience to U.S. Audiences
A high-stakes competition featuring the world’s best players in a fast-paced, spectator-friendly environment, P1 Padel Miami is set to deliver the level of intensity and spectacle that European fans have enjoyed for years.
What separates P1 Padel from past U.S. events?
- Bigger prize money: P1 Padel tournaments offer some of the largest purses in the sport, with Miami set to award hundreds of thousands in prize money to the top competitors.
- Higher-level competition: The event will feature the world’s top-ranked players, including Agustín Tapia, Arturo Coello, Juan Lebrón, and Alejandro Galán on the men’s side, and Ariana Sánchez, Paula Josemaría, Delfi Brea, and Gemma Triay among the women.
- Elite production & global broadcast appeal: Backed by Premier Padel, this tournament will bring the same high-energy atmosphere, professional court setup, and large-scale media coverage that has made padel a must-watch sport across Europe and Latin America.
For the first time, American audiences will get a true taste of what European fans have been experiencing for years—a sport built for excitement, energy, and world-class competition.
The Future: Where Does Padel Go From Here?
Miami is just the beginning. With P1 Padel Miami setting the standard, the momentum behind padel in the U.S. is undeniable. Major investments, elite competition, and a growing player base are accelerating its rise, and the question now is: Which cities will follow?
Los Angeles and New York are clear frontrunners, with established padel communities and growing infrastructure. Austin, with its booming sports and fitness culture, could be next. As more clubs, tournaments, and investors enter the space, the sport is primed to expand nationwide.
At Breathe Media and Padel Playhouse, we are particularly bullish on padel’s future in the U.S. We’ll be on the ground at P1 Padel Miami, bringing live coverage, exclusive player interviews, and behind-the-scenes access. This is more than just a tournament—it’s a glimpse into what the next decade of padel in America will look like.
With Bela leading the charge and Miami proving the demand, the sport’s trajectory has never been more promising. Padel isn’t just coming to the U.S.—it’s here to stay.
