Anchored by collaborations with corporate sponsors and government bodies, WPA’s strategic approach blends sports sponsorship, event sponsorship, and community engagement to create a vibrant padel ecosystem. WPA’s sponsorship collaborations highlight its ambition to cement padel as a mainstream sport in the Middle East while expanding globally. Notably, the partnership with BBK as the official sponsor of the BBK Padel Challenge Championship in Bahrain underscored the brand’s dedication to sports sponsorship that supports youth initiatives and community development in alignment with Bahrain’s vision for athletic excellence. This championship, hosted on WPA’s courts in Seef District, brought together hundreds of top-tier players across multiple competitive categories and showcased the region’s burgeoning padel scene.
Another significant partnership is with Jetour UAE and The Elite Cars, reflecting a dynamic sports sponsorship that merges lifestyle branding with padel’s athletic appeal. Jetour’s exclusive branding of WPA courts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, combined with the association of Emirati padel star Fares Al Janahi as a brand ambassador, exemplifies how strategic sponsorships amplify visibility and fan engagement. This collaboration elevates the courts’ profiles while promoting an active lifestyle consistent with the brand’s energy and innovation ethos.
WPA has also been at the forefront of organizing and sponsoring prestigious padel events that attract regional and international audiences. The Emirates NBD Padel Tour, supported as the title sponsor for multiple seasons, exemplifies event sponsorship that fuels competitive play and community participation across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Spanning an extensive calendar of tournaments, this tour offers opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels to compete for substantial prize pools, further promoting sports sponsorship as a catalyst for padel’s growth.
In a historic achievement, WPA made global headlines by hosting two official international padel tournaments simultaneously in Dubai and Bahrain. This unprecedented move demonstrated WPA’s capacity to coordinate large-scale event sponsorships that unite multiple nations under the sport’s expanding umbrella. Supported by key property developers like Damac and Durrat Al Bahrain, these events drew players from dozens of countries, highlighting WPA’s expertise in delivering world-class sporting experiences and broadening padel’s reach.
WPA’s vision extends beyond the Middle East, with a deliberate expansion into the United Kingdom marked by the launch of a new facility in Mansfield. This move positions WPA as the first UAE padel brand to expand internationally, reinforcing its brand positioning as a global sports leader. The UK expansion has garnered strong local support and exemplifies the academy’s commitment to community growth, cultural exchange, and sports marketing excellence. The facility introduces WPA’s acclaimed coaching methodologies and programming to new audiences while strengthening ties between the UAE and global padel communities.
Central to WPA’s success is its holistic marketing strategy that integrates sponsorships, targeted brand marketing, and event sponsorships to build a resilient padel community. By collaborating with partners like Al Sayyah Group and leveraging digital media channels and social activations, WPA fosters sustained engagement among players and fans. Its sponsorship model also emphasizes talent development by supporting elite players competing on professional tours, showcasing padel as both a competitive sport and a lifestyle choice.
Ali Al Arif, CEO of World Padel Academy, emphasizes the importance of these partnerships: “Our collaboration with sponsors and event partners is integral to advancing padel across the region and internationally. Together, we deliver unforgettable sporting moments and create pathways for talent development while driving community participation and brand awareness for the sport so deeply embedded in UAE’s evolving sports culture.”
World Padel Academy’s sustained commitment to sports sponsorship, event sponsorship, and strategic partnerships exemplifies a winning formula for transforming padel from a niche sport into a mainstream sensation. Through comprehensive collaborations with corporate sponsors, government entities, and the global padel community, WPA cultivates an ecosystem where elite competition, community engagement, and brand marketing converge. As WPA continues to expand internationally and host landmark tournaments, it solidifies its position as a trailblazer in sports sponsorship that shapes the vibrancy and future of padel worldwide.
Sources: World Padel Academy, BBK, Jetour UAE, Emirates NBD, Damac Properties, Durrat Al Bahrain, UAE Padel Association, Bahrain Padel Federation, Mansfield Town Football Club, Ali Al Arif Interviews, Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Instagram WPA, LinkedIn WPA.
