The next generation of padel players
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF PADEL
Since 2019, CUPRA has been a driving force in the padel revolution, backing over 1,220 tournaments across 78 countries. Together with the International Padel Federation (FIP), we pushed boundaries even further with GAMECHANGERS, a platform built to find, support and accelerate the next generation of padel talent.
“FIP is fully aligned with the IOC’s vision of supporting athletes, especially the next generation of talent. Following the successful edition in 2025, we are proud to continue our partnership with CUPRA on this ambitious project, which is designed to nurture the rising stars of our sport and support their development both on and off the court.”
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation.
GAMECHANGERS: BEYOND A CONTEST
Launched in 2025 in collaboration with the FIP and the CUPRA Padel Tribe, GAMECHANGERS travelled across eight cities in six countries in search of one thing: the talent that padel doesn't know it has yet.
Built on the belief that the next great player could come from anywhere, it gave the next generation the visibility, professional support and edge they needed to disrupt the game.
“At CUPRA, we are on a mission to support young talent, and GAMECHANGERS is how we do that in the world of padel. We are giving young players a genuine opportunity to show their potential and take the next step in their careers. Throughout the contest, we discovered a generation defined not only by talent, but also by ambition, resilience and a determination to challenge what comes next. These stories deserved to be told, and this documentary allows us to share them with a much wider audience.”
Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA.
SHATTERING EXPECTATIONS: A RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT
The first edition drew 404 registrations and 183 competitors from 13 nationalities. The level of play was so extraordinarily high that the jury rewrote the rules, awarding five scholarships instead of the planned four. Each winner received a full scholarship: year-round professional coaching, training stages at the Manu Martín Academy, access to FIP Platinum tournaments, sessions with the CUPRA Padel Tribe and €10,000 to fuel their journey.
"GAMECHANGERS represented an opportunity that many participants would not normally have had. They stood out, not only for the standard of play, but also for their attitude and competitive mindset. The programme gives them access to the guidance, training and experience they need to continue developing.”
Manu Martín, founder of the Manu Martín Academy.
THE DOCUMENTARY: FROM THE COURT TO THE SCREEN
The story didn’t end on the court. Premiering on 1 September in collaboration with Movistar Plus, GAMECHANGERS: The Next Generation of Padel Players is a 75-minute documentary that follows the participants of CUPRA's international contest, from the opening tournament in Madrid to the Grand Final in Barcelona, capturing the ambition, sacrifice and defining moments that separate a dream from a career.
Produced by TBS (Telefónica Group's creative production company), the film goes behind the scenes with the five scholarship winners, their families, and the jury members who shaped the competition. Members of the CUPRA Padel Tribe, including Ari Sánchez, Ale Galán, Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Javi Garrido, Jon Sanz, Andrea Ustero, Delfi Brea, Agustín Tapia and Momo González, feature throughout as mentors, jury members and ambassadors, alongside local figures Alix Collombon and Victoria Kurz.
This shared perspective bridges the gap between grassroots passion and elite competition, transforming the film into an authentic masterclass on ambition, grit, and what it truly takes to reach the top. Their story is now on screen: watch the documentary and see where it all began.
