The Hexagon Cup, a trailblazing Padel tournament, is setting the stage for the sport’s ascent to a global tier two status, according to Simon Freer, the competition’s chairman and co-founder. Slated to commence on January 31st and run through February 4th at Madrid Arena, Spain, the Cup boasts teams backed by tennis greats Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, alongside football star Robert Lewandowski.
Broadcast partnerships with global giants like DAZN, Discovery+, Fox Sports, and ITV, promise to beam the Hexagon Cup into 700 million homes across more than 190 countries, amplifying Padel’s reach. Freer and his co-founders, including prominent figures from the electric motorsport world, are on a mission to revolutionize Padel with a new and disruptive approach.
Freer highlighted the gap between the rapidly growing amateur Padel scene and its commercial counterpart, emphasizing the opportunity for innovative approaches in the sport’s ecosystem. “We felt strongly that to complement the established league [Premier Padel], there was an opportunity to put a competition or a major together but also to bring the “teamification” aspects into what is fundamentally a solo pairs sport,” he stated.
The Hexagon Cup’s unique format, which divides six teams into two qualifying groups leading to head-to-head matchups and finals, is complemented by a €1 million prize fund. This fresh approach aims to carve out a distinct niche for the Hexagon Cup amidst the burgeoning popularity of Padel, which the International Padel Federation (FIP) notes is enjoyed by approximately 25 million people.
Freer is optimistic about Padel’s future, envisioning it as an established global tier-two sport with increasing involvement from brands and broadcasters. He sees Padel’s potential for substantial growth in diverse markets such as South America, central and southern Europe, the Nordics, the Middle East, and increasingly in the UK, France, Germany, and the US.
As the sport continues its upward trajectory, Freer anticipates a surge in participation and a keen interest from broadcasters and sponsors eager to tap into Padel’s expanding global footprint.
