PPL Team Relocates to Washington D.C.

It’s been a busy and exciting time for the Pro Padel League as it gears up for the 2026 season.

The latest news from the up-and-coming league announced the relocation of the Matrix franchise from Arkansas to Washington D.C.

The move to Washington D.C. brings the first-ever professional padel team to the nation’s capital and adds the next chapter of sports history to a city that has seen its fair share of sports success.

Originally launched in 2023, the franchise is completely owned and operated by a women-led family group.  Led by founder and owner Barbara Hudson, the Matrix is one of the original founding franchises and has been instrumental in the league’s initial formation, strategic buildout, and growing footprint.

“Our move to Washington, D.C. signals our next phase of growth in a market that combines global visibility, corporate access, and a deeply ingrained professional sports culture,” said Hudson. “With nearly a century of representation across every major U.S. professional sports league, D.C. is a proven market for building a flagship franchise that delivers both competitive excellence and long-term commercial growth.”

Founded as the Arkansas Matrix, the franchise was an early pioneer in the U.S. padel movement, including operating some of the nation’s first dedicated padel courts.

“As the PPL continues to scale in major U.S. markets, Washington, D.C. represents a strategic and symbolic step forward for the Matrix franchise and our league as a whole,” said PPL CEO Mike Dorfman. “D.C.’s global profile and vibrant sports culture create a powerful platform for growth, and we are confident this move will further elevate the franchise and strengthen the PPL’s presence in a premier market.”

While the league will not play a tournament in D.C. across its 2026 five event structure, the team plans to host exhibitions and official league events, while expanding sponsor and partnership opportunities as the franchise establishes its footprint and further positions the region as a central hub in the U.S. padel ecosystem.

Over the past year, several PPL franchises have been valued at more than $10 million. Notable investors in PPL teams include professional tennis player Francis Tiafoe, Ajax professional soccer goalkeeper Maarten Paes (New York Atlantics), international polo star Nacho Figueras (Florida Goats), and Chair of the Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Edward Rogers (Toronto Polar Bears).

This 2026 season will likely be an important year of learning for the league. With the sport’s popularity rising, the professional side in the U.S. is fully uncharted territory and the PPL is leading the way. It will be interesting to see how successful this season is and how the league will evolve in 2027 from what they learn this 2026 season.