UK PADEL and LTA expand Padel County Cup
UK PADEL and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced a strategic partnership to further develop the repositioned Padel County Cup across Britain. Formerly known as the UK PADEL County Championships, the competition will compete under the Padel County Cup name and builds on a successful run since its debut in 2023. Both organisations aim to strengthen county-level participation and create additional competitive opportunities for players nationwide.
The Padel County Cup is already one of the largest and most successful padel competitions in the United Kingdom. At its core is county representation: teams from different regions compete in a format that combines team spirit, regional identity and sporting ambition. The LTA began officially sanctioning the events in 2025, bringing structural experience from one of the most established competition formats in British tennis.
From County Championships to Padel County Cup
The UK PADEL County Championships launched in November 2023 with an Open competition and later expanded to include categories for players aged 40, 50 and 60 and over. This gradual expansion reflected growing demand and made the event a fixture on the national padel calendar. The 2025 Open attracted more than 300 players representing counties from across Britain, making it the largest padel tournament ever staged in the UK.
The rebranding as Padel County Cup marks the next stage of development. It signals not only a new identity but also a clearer focus on long-term growth, more professional structures and closer integration with the LTA. For players, team captains and county organisers, the essence of the competition remains: representative play, team competition and the distinctive atmosphere of an event that reaches beyond the individual club.
Parallel to LTA County Cup tradition in tennis
Since 1895, the LTA County Cup has played a central role in the development of tennis in Britain. Its aim has always been to offer more people opportunities to play and compete. More than 130 years later, the competition remains one of the most popular and prestigious dates on the LTA calendar and is a highlight of the year for tennis players nationwide. This historical foundation provides a proven framework for the new padel partnership.
Under the partnership, the LTA will work with UK PADEL to improve governance, professionalise competition management, expand player pathways and raise the visibility of the Padel County Cup. For British padel, that means stronger institutional support at a time when the sport is growing rapidly and increasingly needs structured competitive offerings. The combination of tennis experience and padel momentum is intended to position the competition more sustainably.
2026 calendar: new junior category and established home
The first event under the new Padel County Cup branding is the Over 60s competition from 4 to 6 September 2026. The Open tournament follows from 13 to 15 November 2026. New to the programme is the inaugural Junior Padel County Cup on 21 and 22 November 2026. Together, the dates create a continuous offering across multiple age groups – from juniors through the Open to senior categories.
All fixtures will continue to be held at Rocket Padel Bristol, the established home of the competition. The venue has proved a reliable host in recent years and offers the infrastructure required for a tournament with several hundred participants. The junior category gives young players their first chance to represent their county and gain early experience in team competition.
Quotes from those responsible
Nick Baker, Chief Executive Officer of UK PADEL, stressed the competition's rapid rise: "What began as a single event in 2023 has quickly become one of the most anticipated competitions on the British padel calendar. Players have embraced the chance to represent their county and be part of something bigger than themselves, which is why the competition has grown so rapidly." The Padel County Cup is the natural next step, Baker said, to build on strong foundations with the LTA and ensure the junior event inspires future generations.
Tom Murray, Head of Padel at the LTA, pointed to the long tradition of county competition: "The partnership between the LTA and UK PADEL is set to bring about a new chapter in the history of county competition in Britain. For well over a century, the LTA's county competitions have been crucial for players to represent their regions and for the next generation to progress on their playing journeys." The Padel County Cup now creates new opportunities for padel players of all ages across the country.
What players and counties can expect
For participants, the blend of competition, county pride and community atmosphere remains. At the same time, they benefit from additional resources, expertise and reach through the LTA. Sponsors and supporters are likely to gain from the event's higher profile and more professional direction. Counties that have already entered teams can rely on proven structures, while new regions should find easier access through expanded promotion.
With five events across different age groups, a clear pathway emerges for players at various stages of development. The Padel County Cup positions itself not only as a single tournament but as a year-round competition programme of growing importance for British padel. The UK PADEL and LTA partnership marks a milestone in the professionalisation of county padel in Britain.
