FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday 27th June 2024, London, UK
The highly-anticipated final round of the Euro Padel League’s (EPL) pilot 2024 season is set to take place in just one week’s time at London’s “bastion of padel”, Rocks Lane.
Rocks Lane Padel Centre in Chiswick, which is widely considered London’s original padel venue, will play host to the final stop of the EPL pilot season, featuring some of Europe’s most competitive veteran amateur players from 4th - 7th July.
Rocks Lane Padel & EPL Founder, Chris Warren said:
“At this stage in padel’s global development, people are still getting familiar with the names of the top stars at the professional level and, as such, the focus of padel, it’s greatest trump card if you like, is its ability to chime with people at the recreational level. Amateur players of all backgrounds, ages and abilities coming together on court are what gives this sport an appeal like no over. And that’s why we created the EPL, a competition that we believe will become ‘the Champions League of Padel’ across Europe.
“It has been a fantastic pilot season that’s proven the EPL concept not only works, but it will thrive as the sport booms across the continent. We are excited to be drawing the curtain on this amazing season by bringing the season finale to the home of the London Rocks team, Rocks Lane, next weekend. I, for one, can’t wait for the competition and this festival of amateur padel to begin.
“Furthermore, recognising the popularity of this pilot season featuring competitive amateur men’s players from some of Europe’s biggest padel hotspots, I’m pleased to announce that for the upcoming first official season of the EPL (the 2024 - 2025 Season), which is set to launch in September, we will also be hosting the EPL Women’s competition that will mirror the men’s matches, and ensure the EPL quickly becomes a fully integrated event. This move, we believe, accurately reflects padel’s status as a sport with equal appeal for both women and men across the world,” added Warren.
Event Highlights
The EPL London 2024 event will kick off on Thursday 4th July, with the EPL Sprint Pro AM competition featuring a selection of professional and elite British players alongside some of the most competitive amateurs and celebrities from corporate and sporting backgrounds, including former GB and England Rugby 7s Olympian and TV personality, Heather Fisher, and English Rugby Union Player and Olympian, Alex Davis. This will be followed later in the afternoon by the opportunity for the Ams, and juniors, to learn from ex-professional players including ex-World Padel Tour player, Álex Grilo, in the EPL Academy.
On Friday 5th July, the focus shifts to the EPL Corporate Cup and the main event matches that showcase top-tier padel action from Europe's best Over 45 amateur players. Corporate padel players will have the chance to compete alongside top players from the main event in the EPL Corporate Cup.
The excitement continues over the weekend, with more event matches taking place on Saturday 6th July. These matches will feature high-level competition from top amateur players across the EPL’s teams - which alongside home team London Rocks include The Vikings of Jarfalla (Stockholm), Marbella Sun (the El Mirador Club), Riviera Icons (Grasse, south of France) and Vilamoura Friends (Algarve).
The tournament will culminate in the grand finale, where the champions of the EPL Cup’s pilot season will be crowned. The EPL London event aims to highlight padel’s biggest appeal, namely its ability to drive interest, community engagement and excitement at the amateur level of the sport. At the heart of the EPL is the focus on developing the next generation of padel talent - especially given expectations of padel to become an Olympic sport, perhaps as soon as Brisbane 2032 - through the EPL’s Rising Stars Programme.
Special Programmes and Community Engagement
1. EPL Rising Stars Programme
The newly established EPL Rising Stars Scholarship Programme aims to train the next generation of professional padel players. The fees received from the corporate events over the EPL London weekend will support this initiative, highlighting EPL's commitment to developing new talent in the sport.
2. Free Junior Academy Sessions
In addition to the main events, EPL London will offer free Junior Academy sessions, coached by Álex Grilo. These sessions are designed to introduce young players to the sport and provide high-level training.
3. Community Involvement
Rocks Lane has a long-standing commitment to the community, offering free sports access to all state schools. The EPL partnership reinforces their dedication to inclusivity and the promotion of padel.
4. Special Offers and Membership Opportunities
Participants can benefit from special packages, including a combined offer for the EPL Sprint Pro AM and EPL Corporate Cup which includes participation in both events, branding and networking opportunities, welcome goody bags, access to Rocks Lane Grill serving lunch options and the sponsors village providing a variety of sponsored drinks and snacks. Discussions regarding potential corporate memberships will also be available, allowing businesses to engage with the EPL and support the sport's growth.
Euro Padel League and EPL London is sponsored by: Babolat, Playtomic, Padel Courts Deluxe, Go Mate Drinks, EXECUZEN, Savills, Altimus Outdoor, Easipadel, POKITA, VIBEPADEL, GREEN & PURPLE, room2 Chiswick hometel, Chiswick Physio, Padelshack, Carton Water, Vitamin Well, NOCCO UK, Barebells UK, Sipello, ELEAT, Pitch International.
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Contact details:
For more details or how to get in touch with the EPL London 2024 team, please contact:
Emma Davis, EPL Communications Manager
Email: emma@rockslane.co.uk
Phone: +44 7817 393 775
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: @europadelleague
X: @europadelleague
About the Euro Padel League
Fast becoming known as ‘the Champions League of Padel’, the Euro Padel League (EPL) is an exciting new competition bringing together the best amateur padel players from across Europe. With padel’s greatest asset being its recreational level appeal the EPL is capitalising on this by promoting the sport of padel through high-quality competition, community engagement, and the development of young talent. With its inaugural season culminating in London, the EPL is set to become a cornerstone of the European padel calendar, fostering sportsmanship and excellence in the sport.This exciting new tournament will feature 60 amateur players from 8 European clubs competing for the prestigious EPL Cup.