Kategori: NEWS

What started more than five decades ago as a backyard sport in Mexico has today become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Padel was first introduced in 1969 when Enrique Corcuera built a walled court on his private property, combining elements of tennis and squash in a unique and engaging way. Initially embraced by elites in Spain and Argentina, the game gradually spread, and in recent years, its rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The 2010s marked a turning point. As more facilities were built and the game’s social and accessible nature attracted newcomers, padel quickly transitioned from niche activity to mainstream recreational favorite across Europe and beyond.

A Market That’s Gaining Momentum Worldwide

Padel has grown far beyond its recreational roots and is now viewed as a significant commercial and sporting force. According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), the sport is played in over 130 countries, with more than 600,000 registered players and 87 national federations. The estimated global community of casual and competitive players now stands at around 30 million.

With over 16,000 courts, Spain is the undisputed leader in padel infrastructure, followed by Italy, Argentina, and Sweden. In total, the world now boasts more than 70,000 courts, mostly concentrated in Europe, but expanding fast across the globe.

The Global Padel Report 2024 (Playtomic & PwC) predicts that the international market for padel clubs alone could reach €6 billion by 2026, with continued growth between 8–10% annually until at least 2032.

The Road Ahead: Global Expansion and Olympic Potential

Padel is no longer just a sport — it’s a lifestyle, a business opportunity, and soon, possibly, an Olympic discipline. With a bid underway for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games, the sport is gaining new levels of credibility and international appeal. Emerging markets such as the United States, India, the Middle East, and Asia are experiencing growing demand for courts, events, and gear.

What This Means for Acenta Group

As the padel wave continues to build, Acenta Group is firmly positioned at its crest. With a comprehensive presence across the industry — from court installation to retail, and from tournament organization to brand partnerships — Acenta is helping shape the sport’s next chapter.

Recent highlights include:

• A 5-year exclusive partnership with Interpadel in Norway, covering 14 clubs and all equipment sales via our platform sportofpadel.com.
• A major infrastructure agreement with Padel 100 in Ireland, involving the delivery of at least 50 new courts, with further expansion already in the works.
• A newly signed exclusive sales agent agreement with premium padel brand Cuera, solidifying Acenta’s role as a key product distributor in Europe.
• A growing international sales network, including a dedicated team in the UK and regional representation in the Balkans.

Acenta is also the creator of the Acenta Padel Tour, a tournament series designed to give amateur players a professional-level experience. Having already launched in Sweden and Norway, the concept is set to expand across Europe this autumn.

Padel’s global potential is massive — and Acenta is ready to deliver on it. With a long-term strategy rooted in quality, innovation, and sustainable growth, we’re not just participating in the sport’s rise. We’re helping lead it.

---

We are incredibly proud to share that our colleague Filippa Vial will be making her debut for the Swedish national padel team this summer during Phase 2 of the European Championships in Madrid, July 11–13.

Filippa steps in for Anna Åkerberg, who unfortunately had to withdraw from the competition due to injury. While the circumstances are bittersweet, Filippa’s selection is a testament to her consistent hard work and rapid development on the court.

«I’m incredibly proud and happy to represent Sweden at the European Championships. It’s something I’ve worked very hard for, and wearing the blue and yellow jersey means a lot to me. At the same time, it’s of course unfortunate that it happens due to Anna’s injury – I wish her a speedy recovery,» says Filippa.

Filippa not only represents excellence in sport but also plays an important role off the court as part of the Acenta team. We can’t wait to cheer her on in Madrid – Go Filippa! 🇸🇪💪

Acenta Group AB announces that board member Magnus Waller, through his company Magella Holding AB, has acquired an additional 95,664 shares in the company. The off-market transaction represents a total investment of approximately SEK 650,000.

Following this acquisition, Magella Holding AB now holds a total of 595,664 shares, corresponding to approximately 14.83% of the total votes and capital in Acenta Group AB.

«I have strong confidence in Acenta’s long-term vision and our global strategy. This investment reflects my continued belief in the company’s ability to grow internationally and create lasting value,» says Magnus Waller, Board Member of Acenta Group AB.

The increased ownership signals continued commitment from the board to Acenta’s expansion journey and strategic goals in the global padel market and beyond.

Acenta Group AB is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with the Irish company Padel Sports 100 Limited (“Padel 100”), covering the delivery and installation of at least 50 padel courts. This follows a previously signed letter of intent between the two companies on April 22, 2025.

The partnership includes a leasing arrangement over five years, with additional revenue linked to court bookings for a total of seven years. The minimum order value, excluding booking-related revenue, is estimated at approximately EUR 3.6 million, distributed over a five-year period.

The 50 padel courts will be delivered within 12–15 months, and the agreement marks a significant milestone in Acenta Group’s international growth strategy.

«We are incredibly happy to have entered into a binding agreement with Padel 100, which marks an important step in our international growth journey. This partnership gives us the opportunity to contribute together to the rapid development of padel in Ireland. Padel 100 has a strong and determined strategy to make the sport accessible across the country, and we look forward to being part of this exciting development. At the same time, I would like to mention that our new leasing and financing concept, which is a very exciting vertical for us, opens up for additional customers and has already aroused great interest. We look forward to exploring what new business opportunities this can lead to and how it will support our international expansion», says Håkan Tollefsen, CEO of Acenta Group.

A new chapter for padel in Ireland

The agreement forms part of a larger investment, as Padel 100 recently secured €5 million in funding to roll out 100 padel courts across Ireland in strategic partnership with Acenta Group. The initiative is set to boost the growth of padel across the country, with the first courts expected to be installed during summer 2025 in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Clare, Waterford, and Wexford, followed by further expansion into suburban and regional areas.

«We are delighted to have now signed our agreement this Monday morning 12/05/25 with Acenta Group, which provides us with a solid foundation to expand the presence of Padel in Ireland. The agreement provides us with the operational capacity required to deliver major infrastructural projects and enables the more efficient growth of Padel clubs, campuses and facilities across the country. We look forward to embarking on this journey with Acenta Group and establishing a long term partnership that contributes to the development of Padel in Ireland, as it is really in its infancy around the country. Our aim is to roll out a minimum of 100 Padel courts every year in partnership with Acenta Group, without the support, knowledge and experience of Hakan Tollefsen and his team our massive rollout would not be possible», said Ben Keohane, founder of Padel 100.

Long-term structure and opportunity

Under the agreement, Acenta Group will receive a fixed monthly leasing fee for each court over five years, as well as a smaller variable income per booked hour for each court. After the initial five years, the company will continue to receive a slightly reduced booking-based revenue for an additional two years.

The exclusive agreement will remain in effect for five years from the installation of the final court, during which Padel 100 commits to purchasing all courts and related installation services exclusively from Acenta Group. Each party retains the option to terminate the collaboration in year two or year four, without affecting the leasing terms for courts already delivered.

This partnership not only secures Acenta Group’s position in the Irish market, but also highlights the company’s innovative leasing and financing model – a new vertical that is already generating strong interest from other markets and future partners.

Acenta Group has entered an exclusive sales agent agreement with Cuera, a premium apparel brand known for its high-performance, design-driven collections for padel. The agreement covers the Swedish and Norwegian markets and will be executed through Acenta’s commerce platform, Sport of Padel.

This partnership reflects Acenta’s commitment to building a strong, community-oriented ecosystem around the sport—connecting players with top-tier products while supporting clubs, teams, and business partners across the region.

Cuera will also play an active role in supporting Team Acenta, enhancing visibility and brand presence through collaborative marketing efforts and ambassador initiatives.

“We’re excited to team up with Acenta Group / Sport of Padel. Without a doubt one of the most professional partners in the padel industry. With their market expertise and our shared passion for performance and design, this partnership is a powerful step toward elevating the apparel culture within the sport.

At CUERA, we don’t just choose partners, we choose people. Business is important, but the team behind it matters just as much. This is a values-driven collaboration built on mutual respect, ambition, and trust.

To succeed in this space, we know it takes more than great products. It takes community. This partnership gives us the reach, the network, and the local presence to bring that community together and truly make an impact in Norway and Sweden.”
— Ulrik Leth, Co-founder, Cuera

“Cuera represents everything we believe padel needs more of – quality, passion, and authenticity. Together, we’re bringing something truly unique to the Nordic market,”
— Carsten Johansen, Managing Director Global Operations, Acenta Group

Cuera collections will soon be available at sportofpadel.com and through selected retail collaborations.

We are thrilled to announce that Acenta Padel Tour is coming to Stockholm for the very first time! From June 6–8, we’ll be taking over Frihamnen, bringing high-energy matches, passionate players, and an unforgettable atmosphere to the heart of Sweden’s capital.

This marks a significant milestone in our journey to spread the sport we love across more cities – making padel more accessible, more visible, and more exciting for players and fans alike.

We’re proud to host the Stockholm stop in collaboration with Nilima Sports Group, who will be opening the doors to their vibrant padel center in Frihamnen for this special event.

«We’re really looking forward to working with Acenta Padel Tour on their first tournament here in Stockholm. It’s going to be a true celebration of padel at our center in Frihamnen – a competition that’s open to everyone. For us at NiLiMa, it’s not just about padel – it’s about people, community, and unforgettable experiences. And this is one padel experience you don’t want to miss!»
— Jakob Johansson-Holm, Head of Sports, Nilima Sports Group

Join us for a weekend of competition, community, and world-class padel.
Registration available via Rankedin.

Let the padel party begin – Stockholm, are you ready?

Sport of Padel is thrilled to announce the launch of its Business Account program, designed to streamline the process for padel clubs, retailers, coaches, and sports organizations looking for an easier and more efficient way to access high-quality padel equipment.

With the new Business Account, members will benefit from:

Exclusive B2B pricing – Special rates tailored for businesses in the padel industry
Seamless online ordering – A user-friendly B2B portal for quick and hassle-free purchasing
Flexible order quantities – Order as much or as little as your business needs

We understand the demands of running a padel facility or retail business, and we want to make it easier for you to get the products you need at the best prices, at Sport of Padel. Our new Business Account will provide a tailored shopping experience, saving both time and money for our partners.

Interested businesses can now apply directly through the Sport of Padel website. For more information and to sign up for a Business Account, visit Sport of Padel.

About Sport of Padel – A part of Acenta Group

Sport of Padel is a leading supplier of premium padel equipment and accessories, committed to providing high-quality products to players and businesses worldwide. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Sport of Padel continues to innovate and improve the way padel is played and enjoyed.

Sport of Padel is proud to announce our sponsorship of the Nordic Team Padel Championship 2025, taking place on March 14–15.

As a dedicated supporter of the sport, we are excited to be part of this prestigious event, where skill, passion, and teamwork take center stage. The championship serves as a platform to showcase the growing padel community and its exceptional talent, and we are honored to contribute to its success.

We invite all padel enthusiasts to follow the action and experience an electrifying weekend of competition.

Acenta (sportofpadel.com) are excited to announce our new partnership with Oslo Padelklubb (https://oslo-padel.no/) ! This collaboration is built on a shared vision to support the growing padel community in Oslo and provide players with access to premium equipment at the best possible prices.

Through this partnership, Oslo Padelklubb members will benefit from exclusive offers on top-tier padel gear, ensuring they have the best equipment to elevate their game. Together, we aim to create even more opportunities for both new and experienced players to develop their skills and enjoy the sport to the fullest.

Beyond providing high-quality gear, we aim to collaborating on joint initiatives, events, and community-driven projects that strengthen the local padel scene. Our goal is to make padel more accessible, foster an even stronger club environment, and inspire more people to take up the sport.