Triton announces creation of LeDap - Europe´s leading Padel Group

Stockholm (Sweden), 25 October 2021 – Triton announces the establishment of LeDap Group (“LeDap” or the “Group”), a leading platform driving the growth, innovation, digitalization and professionalization of Padel, a racquet sport combining elements of tennis and squash, in Europe and across the globe.

LeDap has been made possible through a pan-European market consolidation that included more than 30 acquisitions which Triton has supported in partnership with management teams, co-owners and passionate Padel entrepreneurs. LeDap is established in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Estonia and Austria. The companies at the core of the Group are focused on operating Padel centres in their respective countries. Today, the Group manages more than 90 centres with over 600 Padel courts.

As of October 2021, the main Group companies include We Are Padel (Sweden), Just Padel (Norway), Padel Club Finland, Padel Tampere, ProPadel (Finland), and Padel Zone (Austria).  Several additional locations have been contracted and will be opening in the coming months. By the end of 2022, LeDap expects to be present in more than 200 locations and operate more than 1,700 courts.

“LeDap offers many of the key aspects that we look for in an investment – strong and accelerating structural growth, a clear ESG agenda where we can contribute to increased physical activity, and the opportunity to build a digital ecosystem around the sport. Our ambitions are high, we strive to make Padel available to all, and in partnership with the global padel community, we want LeDap to contribute to making Padel an Olympic sport.” says Per Agebäck, Co-Head of Triton’s Consumer Sector.

LeDap will support the expansion of Padel by providing infrastructure and inspiration for all types of Padel players. The Group is also investing significantly to ensure that children and the younger generation have the opportunity to play the sport and increase their level of physical activity through a fun and inclusive experience. LeDap Group’s companies therefore seek to establish close cooperation with local Padel sport associations in the communities where they are active.

Pontus Gustafsson, Chairman of We Are Padel and appointed group CEO of LeDap: “We love the sport of Padel and are excited about the partnership with Triton. We have worked side by side to form LeDap and see tremendous opportunity to develop the sport going forward, as well as to expand and promote the Padel associations for children and younger players. Padel is characterized by passion and entrepreneurship. With LeDap, we add ambition and a holistic strategic approach that will help the sport grow and professionalize globally.”    

In the establishment of the company, Triton has been advised by Urban Johansson, (owner of Swedish Padel Open) and Hernan Auguste (former #1 Padel player in the world and former International Manager at the World Padel Tour), both who have accepted to assume active roles in the company going forward.

LeDap has been established with backing of Triton’s EUR 5.2 billion Fund V and additional capital has been ear-marked to support further investments in the sport and continued growth globally through organic rollouts and further acquisitions.  

“We look forward to actively supporting the management and employees of LeDap to continue consolidating the global Padel market, invest in organic expansion, and enrich the Padel community via increased awareness and understanding of the sport. Our long experience in decentralized businesses and our strong sector knowledge within leisure combined with our international network of experts will further strengthen LeDap’s position as a leading Padel group“ says Peder Prahl, CEO and Managing Partner.