Column: Padel is hot

And in a way, that is of course wonderful.

Because it is precisely that accessibility that makes padel strong. People step onto the court relatively easily. There is laughter, movement, and conversation. You stand side by side instead of opposite each other at a table. That works. Absolutely.

However, there is also a danger in that at the same time.

Because the more popular something becomes, the greater the chance that it slowly turns into a standard format. And to be honest, you see that happening at many padel events by now. They are starting to look the same more and more. Renting four courts, doing a bit of networking, adding some snacks, and that’s it. Then we read the same texts on LinkedIn again about “connection,” “the power of sport,” and that “the best conversations are born on the court.”

All true, by the way.

But also all pretty overused.

And that, in my opinion, is precisely where the real question for the coming years lies. Not whether padel will remain popular, because it certainly will for the time being. The question is rather: how do you ensure that a padel event remains something special? Because if entrepreneurs, employees, and business associates are attending a padel event ten or twenty times a year, the difference will no longer be made by the fact that you are playing padel. The difference will be made by the concept surrounding it.

And that is something that is still given far too little thought.

Even though that is precisely where the greatest opportunities lie.

Not only for organizers, but also for clubs, brands, and companies that use padel as a marketing tool, staff activity, or business event. After all, organizing a padel tournament is no longer that complicated these days. But putting on an event that really leaves a lasting impression? That is something completely different.

That starts with creativity. With daring to deviate from the standard format.

Why should a staff event always consist of just playing matches? Why not think about game formats, surprises, or team challenges? Why not do something with different skill levels, so that even the less sporty colleague feels part of the experience? Why not pay much more attention to atmosphere, decor, and the overall experience?

That is precisely where you, as an organization, can make the difference. After all, people have an unerring sense of whether something has genuine attention, time, and creativity invested in it, or if it is simply a few rented courts with a logo on a banner.

And that latter is exactly what we must guard against.

Because it would be a terrible shame if padel slowly heads in the same direction as so many other popular business trends: first innovative, then mass-market, and subsequently predictable.

While the sport is actually far too beautiful for that.

Padel has everything it takes to truly bring people together. We just need to stop thinking that the sport automatically does the work. It might have done that five years ago, when everything was new. But by now, it demands more.

More creativity.

More conceptual thinking.

More surprise.

More boldness.

Precisely because the sport is becoming so big, you must keep challenging yourself to create something that people won't forget.

Not just "another padel event."

But an experience that people say afterwards: this was well thought out. This was different. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this. And perhaps that is ultimately the most important lesson for the entire sports world. Popularity alone is never enough to remain relevant. Staying relevant requires development. Innovation. The ability to reinvent yourself before the public starts waiting for it.

Especially in a time when everything is becoming faster, busier, and more of the same.

So yes, padel is still growing tremendously fast.

But perhaps the real challenge from now on will no longer be how we organize *more* events.

But how we ensure that they continue to matter.