If you’ve spent any time around UK padel recently - at clubs, tournaments, or online - you’ll have noticed the same question coming up again and again:
Where will the London Premier Padel P1 actually be held?
There’s been a lot of discourse. Plenty of opinions. And no shortage of speculation.
So instead of guessing, we decided to do some investigating - looking at what Premier Padel events typically require, which London venues realistically meet those needs, and where the balance between ambition and practicality probably sits.
1. What Size Venue Does a Premier Padel P1 Need?
- Looking at Premier Padel P1 events globally, a few things are consistent:
- Peak sessions typically attract 8,000-15,000 spectators
- Weekend matches drive the biggest crowds
Venues need:
- Broadcast-ready lighting and rigging
- Large uninterrupted floor space for courts
- Temporary seating infrastructure
- Strong public transport for evening finishes
This rules out smaller, boutique venues - but it also means London doesn’t need a mega stadium. The sweet spot is a large, flexible indoor space that can scale across the week.
2. London Venues That Actually Fit the Brief
Once you remove venues that are too small, too awkward to adapt, or impractical for a multi-day indoor sport, the shortlist becomes surprisingly focused.
These are the venues that genuinely make sense.
3. The Shortlist: Pros, Cons, and Reality Checks
The O2 - Greenwich, London
Why it works
- Excellent transport links (Tube, rail, river)
- Proven history hosting elite sports events (UFC, Laver Cup tennis)
- Huge choice of food and drink nearby
- Easily handles P1-level crowd numbers
Potential downsides
- Very “big brand” feel
- Expensive and logistically heavy for a first UK Premier Padel event
Verdict
A safe, polished option - but perhaps lacking some character for padel’s first big London moment.
Copper Box Arena - Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Why it works
- Purpose-built for sport
- Strong transport links via Stratford
- Olympic legacy adds credibility
Why it might not
- The Olympic Park feels spread out
- Limited bars, cafes, and buzz directly outside the venue
- Energy between sessions could feel flat
Verdict
Operationally solid, but atmosphere is the question mark.
OVO Arena Wembley - Wembley Park
Why it works
- Modern, indoor arena with the right capacity
- Large uninterrupted floor space - ideal for temporary padel courts
- Close to several padel centres, which opens the door for activations and community tie-ins
Potential downsides
- Busy event calendar may limit flexibility
Verdict
A strong contender that balances size, vibe, and practicality well.
Kensington Olympia - West London
Why it works
- Regularly hosts large-scale sports competitions (e.g. HYROX)
- Huge flexible exhibition halls
- Strong in-house catering and event infrastructure
- Well suited to multi-day event builds
Why it might not
- Transport looks good on paper but can be awkward in practice
- Limited pubs, bars, and cafes immediately outside the venue
Verdict
Quietly one of the strongest options - and very likely near the top of the list.
ExCeL London - Docklands
Why it works
- Massive, flexible indoor space purpose-built for large events
- Excellent transport via DLR and Elizabeth Line
- Regularly hosts global sports, fitness, and exhibition events
- Easy to scale seating, courts, fan zones, and activations
Why it might not
- Can feel more “expo” than “arena”
- Atmosphere depends heavily on how the event is built and dressed
Verdict
Extremely practical - and a very realistic option for organisers prioritising flexibility and scale.
Royal Albert Hall - South Kensington
Why it works
- One of the most iconic venues in the world
- Central London location with excellent transport
- Unmatched exposure and cultural impact
- Would instantly put UK padel on the global stage
(Think of the attention Sumo Wrestling recently received here.)
Why it probably won’t
- Too small for P1 peak crowds
- Limited flexibility for a multi-day, high-capacity tournament
Verdict
The romantic choice - and the one we’d love to see - but unlikely.
So… Where Do We Think It’ll Be?
If we’re honest:
We hope it’s the Royal Albert Hall.
From a visibility and cultural moment perspective, nothing would do more for UK padel.
But realistically?
The venues that make the most sense - logistically, financially, and operationally - are:
-
Kensington Olympia
-
ExCeL London
Both offer the flexibility, scale, and infrastructure needed to deliver a successful first London Premier Padel P1, even if they’re less headline-grabbing than some of the iconic alternatives.
Wherever it lands, one thing is clear:
This event will be a landmark moment for padel in the UK.
And judging by the amount of conversation already happening, the appetite is already there.