The Premier Padel League of Pakistan (PPLP), which will debut on January 5, 2026, would usher in a new era in Pakistani sports. With a prize pool of PKR 30 million (about $106,000), the competition aims to transform padel in the nation and give up-and-coming players a structured career path.
The league’s structure and format
The PPLP, which draws inspiration from the North American Pro Padel League, will have competitions in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi, three important cities. The first leg will start in the Twin Cities from January to March, then move on to Lahore from April to June and Karachi from July to September. The initial event will include competition from six franchise teams: the Lions, Hawks, Sharks, Stallions, Bulls, and Markhor. A previous auction sold each franchise for more than PKR 2.5 million, while player auctions are set for December 22. Teams in the elite, competitive, and emerging categories will include eight to twelve players.
Leadership and vision
PPLP’s chairman and CEO, Basim Ahmed, emphasized the league’s goal of promoting padel’s expansion and sustainability. “Padel offers us a unique opportunity to build strong foundations from the outset because it is a sport free from many traditional constraints,” Ahmed stated. He presented a five-year strategy to grow the league both domestically and regionally, with the goal of using international competitions to link the Gulf states and Asia. In order to increase Pakistani players’ visibility and prospects, partnerships with groups like the Asia Pacific Padel Tour, Pro Padel League, and International Padel Federation are also being considered. Myco, the league’s official partner, will provide live match streaming.
Padel’s growing appeal in Pakistan
With over 350 courts and an estimated 50,000 amateur players, padel has grown quickly in Pakistan. A major step toward professionalizing the sport, the Premier Padel League’s launch presents new prospects for players, sponsors, and supporters. The PPLP seeks to make Pakistan a competitive padel hub in the region by fusing international cooperation with local fervor.
