Wilson ACPL by Bela Launches as First National Collegiate U.S. Padel League

As padel continues to establish itself in the U.S., one of the sport’s newer organizations is looking to support the next generation.

The American Collegiate Padel League (ACPL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing collegiate padel in the United States, has launched Wilson ACPL by Bela, the first national collegiate padel league in the U.S.

Bringing together more than 35 schools and 200 student-athletes across four regions, the new league gives padel a much-needed structured pathway for college students to compete, build programs on campus, and help establish the sport at the grassroots level.

“Our focus from day one is building a premier player experience for these student-athletes. From regional city stages to the national finals, we’re delivering top-tier competition, elite venue partnerships, and a structure where campus padel clubs can turn into national powerhouse programs,” says Matthew Jenkins, Co-Founder and President of ACPL.

The league brings together global sporting goods brand Wilson and one of the greatest padel players of all time, Fernando Belasteguín (“Bela”), to help develop the next generation of collegiate padel during an important period in the sport’s U.S. growth.

“Our ambition at Wilson is to play a leading role in the global growth of padel, helping to introduce the sport to new players and audiences around the world,” says Iñaki Cabrera, Global Business Director of Wilson Padel. “The United States is a strategic market in this vision, offering an exciting opportunity to further grow the sport and build a strong and lasting padel community.”

“I’m delighted to be part of such an ambitious and historic project. Bringing padel to colleges across the United States is fundamental to the development of our sport. I’m sure it will inspire more young people to play, not only in the US, but around the world. It will also help many young women and men pursue their dream of studying at a US university through padel. I will always support projects like this because, as I’ve always said, I firmly believe that sport is an essential part of young people’s education,” says Belasteguín.

City stages begin in October, building toward the national finals in March, when the league’s first champion will be crowned. Schools and players interested in joining the league can find more information at joinacpl.com.