Padel

August 06, 2026

HEAD, the world’s leading racquet sports brand, is proud to announce its partnership with the inaugural The Padel Invitational presented by UBS, as official racquet and ball partner. This landmark event, taking place at the iconic Sydney Opera House from August 15-16, marks a significant milestone in HEAD’s mission to accelerate the growth of padel globally and across Australia.

By transforming the Sydney Opera House’s Northern Broadwalk into a world-class sporting arena, the event will showcase the high-speed, social, and dynamic nature of padel. HEAD will serve as a key partner, providing technical expertise and high-performance equipment, reinforcing its position as the driving force behind the sport's expansion from elite professional circuits to local grassroots communities.

"Around the world, premium brands are embracing padel because it brings together sport, lifestyle and culture in a unique way, and we're delighted to announce UBS as our founding presenting partner. The Padel Invitational has been created to accelerate growth by introducing more Australians to the sport through an unforgettable experience at the Sydney Opera House. Our vision is simple - to create the world’s most iconic padel event - placing padel firmly on Australia's sporting and entertainment landscape."

Nick Sloman

Executive Producer, The Padel Invitational presented by UBS

The Padel Invitational will be headlined by Australian sporting legend Pat Rafter. The former tennis world No.1 and current Aussie Crocs national padel team member will lead a star-studded lineup of top international players and local talent.

"Padel is a global phenomenon, and seeing it arrive at such a legendary Australian landmark is a testament to its incredible momentum. We are committed not only to supporting the elite professional tour, but also to growing the sport at every level. This partnership in Sydney allows us to showcase our latest innovations while directly engaging with the Australian grassroots community, ensuring that the next generation of players has the best equipment to fall in love with the game."

Jordi Vives

International Tour Manager, HEAD

A commitment to grassroots and global expansion

HEAD’s involvement goes beyond the professional showcase. The brand is deeply committed to the ”community court sessions” and the Finals featuring Australia’s leading club competitors. By supporting these grassroots initiatives, HEAD aims to bridge the gap between world-class exhibition and local participation, providing the tools and inspiration needed for the sport to thrive in the Australian market.

Event highlights featuring HEAD:

• Elite showcase: Top-tier Australian players sponsored by HEAD, including the country's No. 1 men's player, Andrea Melisi, and No. 3 women's player, Alexia Dalley, will demonstrate the pinnacle of padel. They will be joined by Spanish Under-16 Champion and reigning World Champion with Spain, Mar Munera, who will also participate in the event, showcasing the next generation of padel talent.
• Grassroots integration: Supporting local club finalists and community sessions to encourage participation across all skill levels.
• Innovation hub: Fans will have the opportunity to experience the same equipment used by professionals like Arturo Coello.

With over 38 million players worldwide, padel is the world’s fastest-growing sport. Through this partnership with Padel Australia, Premier Padel, and the FIP, HEAD continues to lead the charge in making padel a cornerstone of the Australian sporting and lifestyle landscape.