With participation soaring and sponsorship priorities shifting, Soul Padel’s new Stockport club offers brands an opportunity to engage meaningfully with a growing and diverse sporting community.
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, with over 90,000 regular players and a presence in more than 90 countries worldwide . Its rise reflects a broader trend in how people engage with sport, seeking inclusive, social, and accessible experiences that emphasise connection and wellbeing.
At the same time, the landscape of sports sponsorship is changing. A growing number of brands are moving beyond elite partnerships to support participation-level initiatives, motivated by a desire for deeper community engagement, tangible social impact, and greater alignment with corporate social responsibility goals.
Research shows that grassroots and participation level sport sponsorship enables businesses to demonstrate authentic community investment, address issues like inclusion and wellbeing, and build stronger emotional connections with audiences . In an era where consumers increasingly expect brands to “stand up and be counted” on social issues, participation sport offers a powerful and credible platform.
It is within this context that Soul Padel has launched its first suite of partnership packages alongside the opening of its new permanent club in Stockport. As the town’s only centrally located padel facility, adjacent to a Decathlon attracting 100,000 monthly visitors, the club has already built a community of more than 3,000 players. Now, it offers an opportunity for brands to step into a growing movement at a pivotal moment.
While padel is particularly popular among the 18–44 age group and attracts a strong AB social grade following , Soul Padel is committed to ensuring that padel is a sport for all. Existing initiatives such as Soul Sisters, supporting women’s participation, and What’s That Racket?, which offers free courts to schools as part of a focus on inspiring the next generation of players, will soon be joined by further programmes designed to extend access across diverse communities.
This inclusive, community-first approach resonates with broader shifts in sponsorship strategy. According to recent analyses, brands increasingly seek partnerships that demonstrate real-world impact, whether by expanding access to sport, promoting diversity, or fostering social cohesion .
Crucially, supporting participation sport offers more than brand visibility. It builds long-term goodwill, loyalty, and a credible association with positive community outcomes; benefits that are becoming more valuable in a climate where consumers are sceptical of traditional advertising.
“We believe that partnerships should be meaningful and community-focused,” said Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel. “Our aim is to work with businesses who share our vision for the future of sport; one that is inclusive, accessible, and rooted in community.”
As padel’s momentum continues, the opening of Soul Padel Stockport offers brands a timely opportunity: to invest not just in a fast-growing sport, but in a wider movement towards participation, connection, and shared purpose.
Contact
Mark Hewlett
Email: mark@soulpadel.co.uk
Phone: 07961310078
Website: soulpadel.co.uk
