UK PADEL and LTA announce partnership to develop and grow Padel County Cup
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UK PADEL and the LTA have today announced a strategic partnership to develop and grow the Padel County Cup competition across Britain, including developing a new identity for one of the UK's largest and most successful padel competitions.
The enhanced collaboration marks a major milestone in the continued growth of padel across Britain, with UK PADEL and the LTA working together to further develop the competition, strengthen county-level participation, and create more opportunities for players nationwide.
The launch of the newly branded Padel County Cup reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to accelerating the sport’s development and increasing its reach across the country.
Formerly known as the UK PADEL County Championships, the Padel County Cup builds on a strong foundation established since the competition's inception in 2023 and reflects the shared ambition of UK PADEL and the LTA to continue elevating county-level padel competition across Great Britain.
Since 1895, the LTA County Cup has played an important role in the development of tennis in Britain, with its main aim being to provide more opportunities to play and compete. More than 130 years later, it remains one of the most popular and prestigious events in the LTA competition calendar, and a highlight of the year for tennis players across the country.
The UK PADEL County Championships first launched with an Open competition in November 2023 before expanding to include Over 40s, Over 50s and Over 60s events. The competition has rapidly become a highlight of the domestic padel calendar, with the 2025 Open event attracting more than 300 players representing counties from across Great Britain and making it the largest padel competition ever staged in the UK. The LTA began sanctioning the events in 2025.
2026 Padel County Cup dates
| Age Group | Date |
| Over 60s | 4-6 September |
| Open | 13-15 November |
| Juniors | 21-22 November |
Under the partnership, the LTA will work alongside UK PADEL to help strengthen the competition's long-term development through enhanced governance, competition management expertise, player pathways, wider promotion and increased visibility across the British padel landscape.
The first event to take place under the new Padel County Cup banner will be the Over 60s competition from 4–6 September 2026. This will be followed by the Open event from 13–15 November and the inaugural Junior Padel County Cup on 21–22 November. All events will continue to be hosted at Rocket Padel Bristol, the established home of the competition.
The introduction of a Junior Padel County Cup reflects the continued development of the competition and creates a new opportunity for young players to experience county representation and team competition. Together, the five events will provide a pathway for players across multiple age groups, reinforcing the Padel County Cup's position as the premier county team competition in Great Britain.
Players, team captains, sponsors and supporters can expect the same unique blend of competitive team spirit, county pride and community atmosphere that has made the event such a success, while benefiting from the additional resources, expertise and reach that the LTA brings through its ongoing commitment to growing padel nationwide.
Nick Baker, Chief Executive Officer of UK PADEL, said, "What began as a single event in 2023 has quickly become one of the most anticipated competitions in the British padel calendar. Players have embraced the opportunity to represent their county and be part of something bigger than themselves, which is why the competition has grown so rapidly."
"The Padel County Cup is the natural next step in that journey. Together with the LTA, we're building on strong foundations to create an even better experience for players, while the introduction of a Junior event helps ensure the competition continues to inspire and connect future generations of county players."
Tom Murray, Head of Padel at the LTA, said, “The partnership between the LTA and UK PADEL is set to bring about a new chapter in the history of county competition in Britain. For well over a century, the LTA's county competitions have been crucial not just for players to represent their counties, but also to help bring through the next generation of competitors as they progress on their playing journeys.
"Now, the Padel County Cup will bring new opportunities for padel players across the country, of all ages, as the LTA and UK PADEL work together to continue supporting the sport as it continues to thrive, combining over 100 years of experience with padel's innovation and inclusivity.”
