Club Med has launched the Club Med Padel Tour, a new international padel competition, in partnership with Babolat, a well-known French sports equipment manufacturer. The announcement was made by Stéphane Maquaire, CEO of Club Med, during a press event on Friday, October 2, in Paris. Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis, played on a smaller court with four players, and it has been offered in Club Med’s resorts for over 20 years. Currently, there are 55 padel courts across 17 of the company’s villages, providing opportunities for guests to play and learn the game. The Club Med Padel Tour will take place in nine European countries, with multiple stages in France, and will also include events in Asia. The tour is designed to connect with existing padel players and attract new ones, with the goal of expanding Club Med’s presence beyond its resorts. The competition will conclude in March in Marbella, a Spanish coastal town where one of Club Med’s villages features eight padel courts. This location was chosen for its strong padel culture and infrastructure. The partnership with Babolat, which has lasted over two decades, includes the development of specialized equipment for children, encouraging family participation in the sport. Maquaire emphasized that padel is experiencing significant global growth, with an estimated 35 million players worldwide. In France alone, the number of players is expected to reach one million, reflecting the sport’s increasing popularity. Club Med aims to leverage this growth by offering more activities and tournaments in its villages, enhancing the overall guest experience. The Club Med Padel Tour is part of a broader strategy to position the company as a leader in both leisure and sports, combining its extensive network of resorts with the rising appeal of padel.