In addition to being an incredibly exciting, fun, and addictive sport, one of the more subtle things we probably all love about playing padel is that it provides us with a much needed “analog” break from our otherwise almost entirely digital lives. Yet, for padel to truly take off here in the U.S., digital innovations like those being developed by Swedish technology firm MATCHi will no doubt prove absolutely crucial.
MATCHi’s North American Sales Manager, Andreas Karlsson, echoes this sentiment, telling me, “We understand that for a sport to reach its full potential, it requires more than just enthusiasts; it needs a robust infrastructure and support system.”
“Our platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services, ranging from streaming and competition tools to booking and management software. We even offer automatic light and passage control, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for both players and clubs,” he adds.
From the world to the world’s largest sports market
While MATCHi might not yet be a household name here in the States even amongst die-hard padel players, over the past decade the company has become a true global leader in the racket-sports-technology world.
In fact, with a presence in over 3,000 clubs worldwide (including everywhere from Madrid to Malaysia… Johannesburg to Japan… and Copenhagen to the Canary Islands), MATCHi now bills itself as “the world’s leading racket sports platform.”
And with the U.S. padel market poised to experience a meteoric rise over the coming decade, MATCHi is now looking to not only capitalize on this incredible growth, but also be a key component of what actually helps drive it.
“We’ve witnessed the phenomenal growth of padel from its infancy to its thriving presence in numerous countries worldwide. Now, we see similar trends emerging in the US, and we want to be at the forefront, supporting the pioneers of this sport,” MATCHi’s Karlsson tells me in flawless English.
So, it only makes sense that Karlsson will be bringing an entire team from Sweden with him to represent MATCHi — and demonstrate their groundbreaking offerings — at the upcoming RacquetX conference in Miami Beach at the end of March, which promises to be one of the biggest and most important all-racket-sports conferences to ever take place in the U.S. (or anywhere around the world, for that matter).
Of the upcoming event, MATCHi CEO Daniel Ekman says, “We’re excited to participate and bring our knowledge and experience to the world-class festival RacquetX, where we’ll showcase our journey, give insights and present our MATCHi platform. We can’t wait to connect with fellow racket sports enthusiasts and industry professionals from around the globe!”
Already serving thousands of satisfied clients — and ready to serve thousands more
While RacquetX will be one of MATCHi’s first major forays in the North American market, you can already find the platform being used at several notable padel clubs around the U.S., including U-Padel (which just opened a seven-court facility outside Houston and is about to open another five-court venue in San Antonio) and ZMash Padel (which just opened an eight-court indoor club outside Detroit).
Of their decision to use the company’s platform, U-Padel’s founder Ruben Gonzales says, “In our attempt to automate our venue and operation MATCHi checked all our boxes. Their automatic light-access control enables us to be fully operational 24/7. As the first indoor facility in Houston, this was very crucial to us.”
Meanwhile, ZMash Padel Founder and CEO, Robert Kjellberg, tells me, “Matchi was the obvious choice for us when we opened our first facility in Detroit. I’ve used Matchi over in Europe for several years and the fact that they are able offer us and our customers the whole package when it comes to Padel in one platform is the reason why we partnered with Matchi.
It is easy for the users to start booking courts, sign up for memberships, join clinics, tournaments, start a live stream, just to mention a few of their features they offer. Matchi’s technology and the fact that is very user friendly will help padel grow in the U.S. in a fast pace.”
But MATCHi’s commitment to its clients — and the sport of padel in general — extends well beyond mere technology.
Karlsson tells me, “We’re focused on helping to build a community and supporting the pioneers of padel in the US and Canada. Our extensive experience allows us to offer insights and solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the North American market.
As padel continues to grow in the US and Canada, MATCHi stands ready to be the catalyst that propels it to new heights. With our track record of success, extensive global network, and commitment to innovation, we’re set to redefine the padel experience in North America and ensure that the sport reaches the same level of maturity enjoyed in many European countries.”
Ultimately, Karlsson says, “We’re not just bringing a platform; we’re bringing a decade of expertise, a passion for padel, and a commitment to seeing the sport flourish. We’re excited to be part of the padel movement in the U.S. and Canada, and we look forward to supporting the growth of the sport alongside the dedicated pioneers in this region.”
Curious what MATCHi can do for your padel club or organization? Click here to schedule a time to meet with Andreas Karlsson and be sure to keep an eye out for him and the entire MATCHi team at RacquetX!
