Sri Lanka launches first-ever franchise-based padel league in Colombo
Eventistry Sports has made all arrangements to inaugurate the country’s first-ever padel competition, the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), which will take place this June in Colombo. The franchise-based tournament will feature six teams, uniquely named after iconic Sri Lankan cities known for their tourism appeal and global recognition.
“We believe Sri Lanka is ready for a new kind of sport—fast-paced, energetic, and most importantly, community-driven. These were the core motivations behind the creation of the SLPL,” said Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports, the organisers of the league.
The launch of the inaugural SLPL 2025 was held in Colombo last week
Padel, a rapidly growing racquet sport in Sri Lanka, is a hybrid of tennis, squash, and even table tennis. Many prominent international padel players, including former WTA Tour professionals Roberta Vinci and Lara Arruabarrena, began their careers in tennis. Though the sport originated in Mexico in 1969 and grew gradually over decades, it surged in global popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its compatibility with health protocols such as limited physical contact.
Padel arrived in Sri Lanka a few years ago, and on 27 February 2024, the country’s first official court—Padel House—was launched in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo. The venue hosted Sri Lanka’s inaugural padel tournament on 19 June 2024. Since then, Padel House has expanded its operations to CR&FC in Longdon Place, offering a total of four fully-fledged courts in Colombo.
“Padel is easy to pick up, yet complex enough to offer a compelling challenge. We have already completed several tournaments that have drawn increasing interest in the sport. There are now players of a professional level in Sri Lanka, and this gives us the confidence to move forward with a franchise league like the SLPL,” explained Rajeev Rajapakse, a former Sri Lanka Davis Cup tennis player and the country’s only accredited padel coach, at the SLPL launch on Thursday.
Eventistry Sports has scheduled the inaugural SLPL to be held at the Padel House courts at CR&FC, Malalasekara Mawatha, on 21, 22, and 23 June. The official player auction will take place on 16 May at The Vault, Colombo City Centre, where franchise owners will draft top local talent across both professional and intermediate categories.The SLPL will feature six franchise teams, each inspired by iconic local tourist Lankan destinations, namely Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers and Trinco Warriors.
“I took up padel myself and instantly fell in love with the sport. Over time, I’ve improved significantly, and many others have raised their game through greater exposure. Franchise-based sport creates a sense of pride and belonging. With padel being the fastest-growing sport in the world, this is the ideal time to create something that blends competition with culture,” added Karin Wijeratne.
The launch of the SLPL was formally announced at a press conference held at Playtrix, Colombo City Centre, in the presence of sponsors and potential franchise owners. Each of the six teams will consist of a mix of professional, intermediate, and amateur players.
In response to rising enthusiasm and numerous inquiries, the SLPL has also opened up team ownership and player registrations to international applicants, further expanding its reach and raising the competitive standard. The league has already attracted significant interest from both local and overseas investors, eager to be part of this pioneering new chapter in Sri Lankan sport.