Epic Padel Secures Funding to Bring Europe's Fastest-Growing Sport to U.S. Cities

A European sports craze is coming to the U.S.—but can Epic Padel turn tier-2 cities into padel hotspots? New clubs and AI-powered tools aim to rewrite the game.

, and Administrator

2026 March 26 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old photo of a group of people playing tennis in front of the Abenakis Springs... — The image shows an old photo of a group of people playing tennis in front of the Abenakis Springs Hotel Lawn in Provo, Quebec. The people are standing on the grass, some of them holding rackets, while others are sitting on chairs. There is a net in the middle of the image, and in the background there are trees and a building. At the bottom of the picture there is some text.

Epic Padel Secures Funding to Bring Europe's Fastest-Growing Sport to U.S. Cities

Epic Padel, a fast-growing sports company, has secured funding to expand its reach across the U.S. The startup aims to bridge the gap between America's limited padel facilities and Europe's booming scene. With fewer than 700 courts nationwide, the firm plans to bring the sport to underserved cities while investing in technology and partnerships. The company recently closed a seed round led by NowaisWorld and Stryde Ventures. Additional backers included 305 Ventures, High Water Venture Partners, and athletes like Nicklas Bäckström. The funds will support Epic Padel's expansion into new markets and its tech-driven platform.

Epic Padel already operates its first club in North Carolina. Over the next year, it will open 4-6 more locations in Virginia, Milwaukee, South Carolina, and Utah. These sites will target tier-2 cities, where access to padel remains limited. Beyond physical clubs, the firm is developing Zero.40, a membership app powered by Clutch AI and Red Padel. It is also incubating the College Padel League to grow the sport at university level. Partnerships with operators, leagues, and startups will further accelerate its growth. Padel has surged globally, with 30 million players across 130 countries and over 63,000 courts. Yet the U.S. lags far behind Europe, which boasts more than 30,000 courts alone. Epic Padel's model combines club operations, investments, and tech infrastructure to close this divide.

Epic Padel's expansion will introduce more courts and digital tools to the U.S. market. The company's focus on tier-2 cities and international collaborations aims to make padel more accessible. With new clubs and tech platforms in development, its growth could reshape the sport's presence in America.