PREMIER PADEL CONVENES INAUGURAL MEETING OF STEERING COMMITTEES AT STADE ROLAND-GARROS

• Inaugural meetings were held during the Alpine Paris Major Premier Padel, taking place this week at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros from 9 to 14 September.

• New governance bodies including 11 different stakholder groups set a global benchmark in sports representation, driving collaboration across the padel ecosystem.

• Meeting discussed geographic expansion, financial sustainability for all stakeholders, player welfare, anti-doping & betting regulations, new partnerships & broadcast innovation, youth development and the Olympic pathway.

PARIS – 10 September 2025 – Premier Padel today held the inaugural meeting of the newly established Steering Committees at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros, marking a historic milestone in the evolution of governance for professional padel.

For the first time, dedicated Steering Committees for both the Men’s Tour and the Women’s Tour have been created, ensuring all players and stakeholders across the sport are represented. Each Committee is composed of 19 members, bringing together 11 stakeholder groups – including players from all ranking tiers, tournament organisers, commercial and broadcast partners, coaches, officials and the International Padel Federation (FIP) – making them among the most representative governance bodies in global sport. Over 25% of seats are reserved for active players and coaches, with representatives chosen by and for the athletes to guarantee their influence at the heart of governance.

The Steering Committees convened on Wednesday morning during the Alpine Paris Major Premier Padel at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros – a venue that highlights the elevated platform Premier Padel has grown for professional padel. Members addressed themes vital to the sport’s long-term growth and sustainability, including continued geographic expansion, financial sustainability for all stakeholders, player welfare, anti-doping and betting regulations, new partnerships and broadcast innovation, developing young players from new markets, and the Olympic pathway.

David Sugden, Premier Padel CEO, said: “In just a few years, Premier Padel has transformed the sport on and off the court. Today’s meeting marks another landmark step: ensuring that all voices across the ecosystem – and particularly players – are represented in the decisions that will shape our future. Modelled on the world’s top sporting leagues, this collaborative approach will help the sport grow stronger, faster, and more inclusively than ever before.”

Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), said: “The formation of the Men’s and Women’s Steering Committees marks a watershed moment for the governance of padel. By formalising dialogue and strengthening feedback loops between players, promoters, and partners, we are creating a more sustainable ecosystem that not only serves the professional game but also reinforces the pyramid of the sport worldwide and supports our Olympic pathway.”

Rosalie Van Der Hoek, professional padel player and a female player representative, said: “I think it is very positive that everybody came together today and especially that the players are able to have a voice. Of course there’s still a lot of work to do, but having the players here – and to be able to present how we look at things – is a big step forward.”

Maxi Sánchez Agüero, professional padel player and a male player representative, said “Over the years I’ve been in this sport, we’ve played under many different circuits, but I truly believe this Committee is a breakthrough. It gives us a solid foundation to bring everything to the main table, alongside all the key stakeholders who drive the circuit, to start working on the fundamentals of the sport so we can grow stronger both as a professional tour and as a sport with limitless potential.”

The Steering Committees will meet twice annually, at the Rome Major and the Barcelona Finals. Following today’s introduction and exchange of views, the next meeting in Barcelona later this year will provide an opportunity to build on these discussions and ensure continuity in shaping long-term strategic priorities for the benefit of the entire padel community.