Conceived by Rohit Grewal, a chartered real estate professional, and Ben Nichols, founder of Padel 22, London’s Canary Wharf will host the inaugural UK Corporate Padel Cup this coming September at Padium, the premier padel venue in the capital. The event is set to bring together leading firms from across finance, real estate, law and investment for a day of competition and connection, reimagining the role of sport in corporate networking and social engagement.
The founders believe the time is right for a fresh approach to corporate events – one that aligns with the changing demands of today’s professionals and reflects the rapid rise of padel in the UK.
Responding to Demand
Through their venture Property+Padel, Grewal and Nichols have become sector leaders in their provision of padel‑themed networking events since 2024. The message from those participating was clear: companies were eager for a more structured, competitive format.
“Corporates across sectors – real estate, finance, investment, legal – have embraced padel not only as a way to be active but also to network and even generate business opportunities. Other sports have long offered that – particularly golf – but padel is the sport of the moment.”
“We’ve seen a clear appetite for tournament‑style events,” Grewal explains. “Corporates across sectors – real estate, finance, investment, legal – have embraced padel not only as a way to be active but also to network and even generate business opportunities. Other sports have long offered that – particularly golf – but padel is the sport of the moment. With the network we’ve built, it made sense to be the first to create a corporate tournament of this scale.”
The inclusion of high-profile participants, such as the private bank Investec, sets the event apart as a premium experience. The Corporate Padel Cup aims to showcase the best of corporate sport, bringing a competitive – yet social – aspect to corporate events. “We want this to feel like a corporate social summit,” Grewal adds, conveying that the organisers hope that companies from varying sectors will come together in the name of padel.
Padel for the Post‑Pandemic Workplace
Nichols points to the post-pandemic shift in work culture as a key catalyst for padel’s growing role in the business community. Shifting work patterns and priorities meant that the decision to launch the Corporate Padel Cup now was no accident.
“Pre‑pandemic, people could justify taking a half‑day out of the office for 18 holes of golf…today, with more hybrid and remote working, schedules are tighter.”
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“Pre‑pandemic, people could justify taking a half‑day out of the office for 18 holes of golf,” Nichols says. “Today, with more hybrid and remote working, schedules are tighter. Padel offers the same social and professional benefits, but in a much more time‑efficient format. It provides a high‑quality workout, fosters genuine interaction, and fits neatly into the modern working day.”
With professionals seeking less formal, more authentic means of connecting, padel’s social dimension has resonated with those seeking social mechanisms outside of the traditional methods.
“There’s something about turning up in sports kit and stepping on court that sets the right tone,” Nichols continues. “It removes some of the hierarchy and stiffness you get in a conference room. The competitive element combined with the informality of sport creates the perfect environment for building relationships.”
“There’s something about turning up in sports kit and stepping on court that sets the right tone. It removes some of the hierarchy and stiffness you get in a conference room.”
Grewal notes that feedback from earlier Property+Padel events confirmed this. “Many attendees said traditional corporate socials feel stale, even boring. They appreciated the chance to do something more dynamic — to really engage with their peers and clients in a different context. That’s the atmosphere we want to foster with the Corporate Padel Cup.”
Elevating the Corporate Padel Ecosystem
Whilst Property+Padel initially focused on the property sector for their corporate events, the existence of informal padel gatherings amongst some companies revealed that a more professional and streamlined structure was needed – a gap in the market that the Corporate Padel Cup is seeking to fill.
“UK padel already has a thriving community,” says Nichols. “What we’re doing is formalising that within a corporate context and extending it to industries such as insurance, banking, private equity and technology. By delivering a premium, structured event, we’re capitalising on the sport’s momentum and setting a standard for corporate padel in the UK.”
The ambition does not stop with a single tournament. Grewal and Nichols envision a nationwide series, with regional and even league‑style competitions in the future. “We see this as the first step,” Nichols explains. “Success for us means not just staging an exceptional event in London but laying the groundwork for a sustainable programme of corporate tournaments across multiple cities.”
Measuring Success
For the organisers, success will be determined as much by quality as by quantity. Nichols conveys three key indicators: the calibre of the participating companies, the diversity of industries represented, and the competitive spirit displayed on the day.
“The presence of big names – and from a variety of sectors – will validate what we’re trying to achieve,” he says. “We want participants to feel challenged and energised, and to come away having built meaningful connections.”
“For me, it’s about seeing everything we’ve planned come to life on the day,” says Grewal. “We‘ve put a lot of thought into creating a format that is both fun and competitive, and it will be immensely satisfying to see companies embracing the event and enjoying the experience.”
For Grewal, another priority is ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved. “For me, it’s about seeing everything we’ve planned come to life on the day,” he says. “We’ve put a lot of thought into creating a format that is both fun and competitive, and it will be immensely satisfying to see companies embracing the event and enjoying the experience.”
Redefining the Corporate Calendar
The Corporate Padel Cup’s arrival has come at the perfect time for corporate culture, with padel booming both professionally and socially in the UK. The event offers a convincing alternative to traditional social summits, adapting to an increasingly hybrid working routine to benefit both teams and clients.
Grewal and Nichols stress that padel’s social nature allows for the right blend of accessibility and competitiveness. Its easy-to-pick-up nature lends to rewarding experiences on the court, and ultimately stronger connections off it. The Corporate Padel Cup gives companies the opportunity to experience an event that mirrors the dynamic, inclusive and efficient values that are dominating the workplace today
On 18 September, Britain’s corporate leaders will get their first taste of what promises to become a new fixture on the business calendar. For Grewal and Nichols, the Corporate Padel Cup is more than a one‑day event – it is the start of a broader transformation in how companies interact, compete and connect.
