The Rafa Nadal Academy is extending its amateur padel circuit to the United States for the first time in 2026, partnering with court-booking platform Playtomic for four events in Miami, Austin, and New York City. This move underscores padel's growing commercial presence outside Europe. The tour combines competitive play with leisure and social activities.
The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour USA by Playtomic will feature four amateur events scheduled for 2026. The season begins in Miami on March 13–15 at Padel X, followed by Austin on April 24–26 at Padel 39. A second stop in Miami occurs at Ultra Padel on May 8–10, and the circuit concludes in New York City at The Reserve club in Midtown Manhattan, with dates yet to be confirmed.
Playtomic will supply the technological infrastructure, including its app for court reservations and player connections worldwide. “Our mission is to drive the global growth of racket sports through technology and, for that reason, we’re particularly excited to accompany and support the Rafa Nadal Academy upon its arrival in the United States,” said Laura Rivas, Director of Sponsorships at Playtomic.
This US expansion follows two completed editions of the circuit in Spain and a recent rollout in Italy. The Rafa Nadal Academy, founded in 2016 in Manacor, Mallorca, Spain, operates as a tennis and padel training complex offering programs for juniors and adults.
Padel's US market is still developing compared to Southern Europe, where it attracts tens of millions of players, but investments in infrastructure have increased since 2022. The selected locations—Miami and New York City as established hubs, and Austin with its rising affluent population—target urban areas with high potential for participation. For Playtomic, which manages tens of thousands of courts globally, the partnership provides a branded channel to attract users as US padel clubs expand.