Patty Camps is on a mission to bring padel to Burning Man — the iconic, eclectic cultural festival that takes place annually in the Nevada desert.
First inspired by the burning of a wooden figure on a San Francisco beach in 1986, Burning Man has become a global phenomenon, gathering a diverse band of artists and over 50,000 attendees to the ‘Playa’, a dry lake bed in the Black Rock Desert.
One festival-goer described Burning Man as “a community, both on and off the playa. It’s an alternatively-organized society that’s anti-capitalist and anti-consumerist, and a libertarian paradise all at once.”
Now Camps, a London-based entrepreneur and ‘ambassador for padel culture’, is appealing for support to introduce padel to the iconic festival for the first time.
A playable, temporary court is being prepared for installation on the Playa this August, as part of the Casa de la Rumba Camp offering, located on the Playa at 7:30 & G.
Camps is managing the build and pushing to raise the final resources needed to make it happen.
The pop-up padel court, currently stored in Arizona, must be transported and constructed by the camp members before Burning Man begins on the 24 August.
“This isn’t a branded activation. It’s a community-built offering,” says Camps. “We’re inviting people to pick up a padel racket, jump into a match, or simply witness something totally unexpected.
“This court is a gift — born out of love for the sport. A space of pure energy exchange, where friendships spark and core memories are made.”
What’s happening?
● A fully playable pop up padel court, gifted to Black Rock City participants
● No commercial branding, no sponsors — built in alignment with Burning Man’s principles
● Part of Casa de la Rumba, a cultural camp with 50+ international members
● Open to anyone on the Playa — from curious beginners to international padel lovers
Camps says the court’s design “celebrates movement, spontaneity, and joyful connection, offering a new kind of Playa experience, inviting thousands to play or spectate under the desert sky.”
As of now, the court installation is only partially funded. Key costs including transport from Arizona, generator purchase and illumination, still need to be covered.
With less than a month to go, Camps is calling on the global padel and sports community to help bring this bold experiment to life through donations.
● Donate to the project: https://igg.me/at/padelinthedust/x/38696127#/
● Follow and share the journey: Instagram: @venturepadelist / @pattycamps / @casa.delarumba
● Pitch in or connect: info@venturepadelist.com
Every donation — no matter the size — helps transform the court from a dream into a dust-covered reality.
