With new padel clubs popping up everywhere from San Diego to Brooklyn, South Florida to NW Arkansas, Denver to Chicago, and even Columbia, SC, over the past few years, it’s clear that the international padel craze is finally starting to make its way to the U.S.
But with LA-based, sports-investment firm EEP Capital now backing Ace Padel to develop 12 luxury facilities with 100+ courts across the country in the next five years, it seems that the U.S. padel boom is officially underway.
Starting with its first club in Tampa, Florida, next year, Ace Padel is set to open further high-end venues in Los Angeles (2024) and West Palm Beach (2024/2025), which are designed to “combine the passion for sport with a sense of luxury, familiarity and overall well being.”
Ace Padel Tampa will feature padel courts, a concierge, and a state-of-the-art gym. Additionally, it will accommodate business/corporate events, tournaments, yoga, product releases, and other social gatherings, with an aim to “bring a global hospitality mindset and first-class amenities” to ensure “an exceptional playing experience.”
Ace Padel, founded by Sweden-born father and son Peter and Elliot Carnello, works closely with an American/Swedish business developer, Index Investment Group, which creates value in real estate and renewable energy.
Elliot Carnello, CEO of Ace Padel, commented: “Our goal is to provide elite facilities with a sense of luxury to ensure the best experience before, during and after. We want our clientele to experience and feel like they are stepping into a new future padel experience.”
EEP Capital, the first dedicated venture capital firm for the U.S. padel market, is focused on national expansion of the sport and has current investments on both coasts.
Alan Flatt, President of EEP Capital, said: “Peter and Elliot both have great backgrounds as entrepreneurs which is clear from their plans for Ace Padel and given their locations in Florida and Southern California, they have a bi-coastal knowledge.
“We’re excited about their upcoming, upscale padel club and their connections with real estate partners to help complete that plan. We witnessed first-hand their ability to execute their plans when they flawlessly hosted a Pro Am tournament in Beverly Hills earlier this year.”
Peter Carnello, Ace Padel’s Chairman, added: “Strategically, EEP Capital is a perfect partner for us as we move into the next phase in the padel boom taking over North America. EEP’s international team and our real estate partner, Index Investment Group, have elements that marry well with Ace Padel’s values and visions.
“The blending of our Swedish and American respective resources will create a successful partnership as we work together in expanding Ace’s presence and the growing enthusiasm surrounding padel in the United States.”
However, Ace Padel is far from EEP Capital’s only upcoming padel project in the U.S. Having already backed Brooklyn-based padel pioneer Padel Haus, EEP is also backing two new clubs in the San Francisco Bay area.
What’s more, EEP is not only investing in the Los Angeles Beat of the recently launched Pro Padel League (PPL), but also in the league itself – which will feature eight teams, based in cities across North America, for its upcoming 2024 season.
While it remains to be seen if padel will experience the same meteoric rise in popularity here in the U.S. as it has in Europe and South America, the smart money seems to be betting that boom times are certainly ahead.
A version of this article was originally written by Mike Dale for The Padel Paper on September 20, 2023. It has been modified and updated.
