The 2022 edition of ISPO Munich will once again include the sport of pádel after an absence of seven years, reviving the Padel Village. According to Messe München’s director in Spain, Martina Claus, the village’s initial run, from 2014 to 2015, was premature. With few courts and few retailers then taking an interest, the sport had not yet spread much abroad. That has changed now, as this friendlier version of tennis has been growing strongly in many European countries. ISPO is hoping the village can draw up to ten brands and, in this period of supply-chain disruptions, serve as a nexus for brands, retailers and pro shops. The Padel Village will have a center court for product tests, as before. This time, however, it will be built by the Spanish brand Padel Nuestro (which, as we have reported, was purchased in August by Backspin Capital Investments and is now led by Iñigo Colomina Fajardo, founder of GTAK Capital). It remains an open question whether the village will be connected to the new Experience Hall, for the creation of digital content for the virtual parts of the trade show. In October, Messe München will be opening up online reservations for full-service booths in the village.

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