Brands investing in emerging sports like Padel is a long-term game – Navdeep Arneja
by Mugdha Gaonkar Entertainment | February 12, 2025 | Interview
World padel league Navdeep Arneja
Following a successful edition in the UAE, the decision to bring the World Padel League to Mumbai was driven by the sport’s surging popularity in India. With backing from the Indian Padel Federation (IPF), the Meteora Developers World Padel League—owned by ID Info Business Services Ltd. and powered by Maisour—made a spectacular debut in the country. The tournament not only captivated sports enthusiasts but also set the stage for a new era in Indian padel, blending world-class competition with an electrifying fan experience.
In an exclusive conversation with EVENTFAQS Media, Navdeep Arneja, COO of the World Padel League, shared insights into the league’s vision for establishing padel as a mainstream sport in India. He discussed the league’s strategic approach to expansion, emphasizing global standards, strategic partnerships, and media outreach. Arneja also highlighted the immense sponsorship potential for brands looking to engage with a passionate and rapidly growing community. Additionally, the league’s focus on integrating Indian talent aims to strengthen local participation, ensuring long-term sustainability and wider appeal in the Indian sporting landscape.
What unique opportunities did you identify in the World Padel League that inspired you to take it to the next level?
After a successful edition in UAE and considering the current growth of padel in India, we felt it was an opportune time to bring the World Padel League to Mumbai. The sport has tremendous potential and in India, we are just starting to scratch that surface with the league, bringing top padel players from across the world. We’ve seen an encouraging uptake across the board and that’s an indication of the impending interest for padel.
What strategies are you implementing to transform the World Padel League into a large-scale sporting spectacle?
From the players to the venue and partnerships to execution, we’ve ensured that everything is at par with global standards. Our intention is to build something that people look forward to year-on-year, as the growth of padel grows simultaneously. We’ve been looking at it phase-wise - building awareness, followed by affinity and eventually on-ground engagement. On the media front, a comprehensive strategy has been implemented, emphasizing media expansion through strategic broadcast agreements and the creation of engaging digital content.
How are you positioning the World Padel League to appeal to brands looking for fresh, impactful sponsorship opportunities?
We have moved with a dynamic approach and have offered flexibility to our partners in helping them shape narratives, with a more targeted approach. Since padel has a concentrated community in India, the league is a great opportunity for brands to connect with their ideal customer in a more personalised and impactful fashion. This creates a unique chance for them to stand out and engage on a more intimate level. By associating with leagues like ours, brands often cultivate a sense of exclusivity and relevance, as they are part of a sport's early growth phase, potentially shaping their narrative alongside the sport's evolution.
In addition to this, we are also looking at inducting Indian talent, encouraging more participation from them and building a local appeal for the talent too. This will further help us in expanding our brand outreach, with partners looking at reaching out to a specific set of consumers.
What is the allocated marketing budget for promoting the League, and how is it being utilized?
While specific budget details remain confidential, our marketing strategy for the World Padel League follows a thoughtful, growth-oriented approach. We maintain a dynamic resource allocation focused on digital-first engagement, community building initiatives, and strategic media partnerships that align with the league's development stage. Our investments are carefully distributed between cultivating long-term brand value and driving event attendance.
What are your revenue expectations for the World Padel League over the next few years?
We see an opportunity for our tournament to grow pretty well especially within Indian community, so we are confident that the league will see a steady revenue engagement in the following years.
How are you ensuring the sport’s growth is sustainable, both financially and operationally?
Our strategic partnerships have successfully attracted celebrity associations and investors, recognising the event as a significant and trending opportunity. This solid foundation of support ensures we are well-positioned and moving forward, we are fully committed to enhancing community engagement, ensuring that local participation is not only strong but also at its peak. By fostering a sense of connection and involvement, we aim to create a truly memorable and impactful event that resonates with all stakeholders involved.
What advice would you give to brands looking to invest in emerging sports like padel?
For brands considering investment in emerging sports like padel, it's important to understand both the challenges and opportunities in this space. While these sports may initially have a perceived lower return on investment compared to established leagues, they offer unique advantages for early investors. Sports like padel present significant on-ground opportunities during their crucial development phase, typically years one through three, which yield results in the longer run.
In an exclusive conversation with EVENTFAQS Media, Navdeep Arneja, COO of the World Padel League, shared insights into the league’s vision for establishing padel as a mainstream sport in India.