Austrian sports equipment brand HEAD has been named the official ball supplier of the International Padel Experience (IPE) by Madison for its Spanish tournaments starting from the 2026 season.
Focus on grassroots and amateur padel
Under the agreement, the HEAD PADEL PRO S+ will be used as the official match ball across all IPE events in Spain. The circuit attracts more than 6,000 amateur players annually and serves as a qualification pathway to a season-ending Master Final in Tarragona.
The partnership marks a strategic shift for HEAD, expanding its presence beyond elite professional sponsorships into the amateur and grassroots competition structure, where most padel participation actually takes place.
Expanding international circuit
Founded in 2012 by Spanish sports and events company Madison, the International Padel Experience has grown into a global amateur circuit operating in more than 20 countries and hosting over 40 tournaments per season.
The Spanish phase of the partnership begins in 2026, with plans to expand the collaboration globally from 2027, integrating HEAD more deeply into all participating countries.
Growing competition in padel sponsorship
The deal comes amid a rapidly expanding padel sponsorship market, where brands are increasingly targeting both professional and amateur levels of the sport.
Major recent deals include:
- Heineken 0.0 partnering with the Premier Padel Tour
- WHOOP signing a multi-year performance partnership
- Multiple brands investing in both elite tours and grassroots circuits
Strategic importance
Rather than focusing only on star athletes, brands like HEAD are now positioning themselves within the infrastructure of the sport itself—balls, tournaments, and amateur circuits—ensuring constant visibility across thousands of matches rather than isolated professional events.