As the LTA’s #1 ranked padel player, Rafa Vega is a name already familiar within the UK’s fast-growing padel scene. Now, with the launch of his new events business, BY3, he’s aiming to elevate the way the sport is experienced—both on and off the court. Combining his coaching background, professional playing career, and passion for event management, Vega is positioning BY3 as a premium padel events company tailored to a wide-ranging and passionate audience.
Originally from Spain, Vega’s journey into padel entrepreneurship has been anything but linear. He began his career in tennis, competing at a semi-professional level before earning a degree in sports science. His ambitions in sports event management led him to London, where he worked as a tennis and padel coach. What was meant to be a temporary stay extended into a deeper connection with the city’s emerging padel culture. After returning to Madrid to complete a degree in sports management, Vega found himself drawn back to the UK. Although the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed the events industry, he re-entered the sport as Head of Padel at Rocks Lane, where he played a key role in expanding the facility from three to twelve courts. The experience deepened his understanding of what British players wanted and planted the seeds for BY3.
Launched in 2024, BY3 was designed to deliver curated padel events with a focus on quality, atmosphere, and community. The company’s name, drawn from the Spanish phrase “por tres,” refers to a high-skill shot in padel where the ball rebounds off the glass and out of the side wall. For Vega, the phrase symbolises precision, style, and ambition—qualities he hopes to embed into every event the company runs.
BY3’s soft launch took place at the Hexagon Cup in London, where Vega tested the concept in a real-world setting. The event drew positive feedback and highlighted the demand for padel experiences that go beyond just gameplay. Attendees enjoyed a blend of competitive matches, social interaction, and high-end hospitality—an atmosphere Vega now sees as the blueprint for future BY3 events.
The company offers a tiered experience model. The first is a VIP hospitality package designed for corporate groups or private clients looking for a bespoke day of padel, complete with catering and additional off-court activities. A second package targets amateur players who have some experience and want a structured, enjoyable event with plenty of playing time. A higher-level competitive option caters to experienced athletes, while a fourth category—collaborations—lets BY3 partner with clubs and teams for operational support and logistics, as it did during the Hexagon Cup.
Vega is clear that BY3 isn’t aiming for mass attendance. Instead, the focus is on creating smaller, high-quality events where participants not only get significant time on court but also enjoy a fuller social and culinary experience. Think live DJs, shared meals like paella, and the chance to meet like-minded players—all designed to make each event feel like a well-rounded occasion rather than just a tournament. His years of coaching padel—combined with his insights as a top-tier player—have shaped his approach to event design. He has seen first-hand what draws people to the sport and what keeps them engaged. This sensitivity to player feedback, along with a willingness to adapt on the fly, means BY3 events are built to evolve. Vega himself plans to be on court during events, using his expertise to guide, engage, and enhance the experience for guests.
Think live DJs, shared meals like paella, and the chance to meet like-minded players—all designed to make each event feel like a well-rounded occasion rather than just a tournament
Even while running the business, Vega continues to compete at the highest level. As the UK’s LTA-ranked number one player, he has no intention of stepping away from professional play, although he is reducing his day-to-day coaching workload to focus on BY3 and personal training. Balancing sport and entrepreneurship is demanding, but for Vega, it’s also energising—each part of his career fuels the other.
With padel continuing to gain traction in the UK—more clubs, more courts, and more newcomers keen to learn the game—Vega believes the timing of BY3 is spot on. The sport is no longer just an imported curiosity but is becoming embedded in British sporting culture. And as interest grows, so does the appetite for well-organised, experience-driven events.
The sport is no longer just an imported curiosity but is becoming embedded in British sporting culture
BY3 aims to meet that appetite head-on, offering something more refined and social than the average tournament. For Vega, it’s about crafting moments that stick, just like that iconic “por tres” shot.
