Andy Murray-Backed Padel Operator Expanding in the UK

In the race to build more padel courts in the UK, Game4Padel has stepped up as one of the largest operators in the region with more than 70 courts across 28 venues.

But that growth is just the tip of the iceberg for the padel operator with big ambitions to have 100 venues by next Christmas.

To meet this lofty goal, the company is moving to a franchise model for the first time to help accelerate interest and construction. This new approach brings with it an opportunity to expand more quickly by allocating rights to develop Game4Padel courts in the UK.

Along with Andy Murray, other investors include his brother Jamie Murray and soccer players Virgil van Dijk, Jamie Vardy, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Tammy Abraham. On the entertainment side, the British award-winning rapper Aitch is also a key investor.

Founded in 2019 before the padel craze began, Game4Padel has grown into a leader in the UK padel world with aspirations to grow internationally in markets like Australia, New Zealand, and Spain. It has received considerable buzz and financial investments as the sport continues to grow globally.

The shift to a franchise model has become popular in the racket sports industry, especially with pickleball. Companies like Pickleball Kingdom and The Picklr have used this model to move quickly and expand at record pace. As this approach has been successful, other companies within the racket sports industry are beginning to copy the franchise model.