The Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the country’s first-ever franchise-based padel tournament, is officially set to serve up a game-changing season in June 2025. The launch was formally announced at a press conference on April 3, at Playtrix Sports Bar & Pub, Colombo, with media, sponsors and potential franchise owners in attendance.
The SLPL will feature six franchise teams, each inspired by iconic Sri Lankan destinations: Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors.
The action will unfold across three electrifying match days—June 21, 22 and 23—at the Padel House courts at CR & FC, Colombo. The official player auction takes place on May 16 at The Vault, Colombo City Centre, where franchise owners will draft top local padel talent across both pro and intermediate categories.
“We created SLPL because we believe Sri Lanka is ready for a new kind of sport—fast, high-energy and deeply community-driven,” said Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports, the agency behind the league. “Franchise sport brings a sense of pride and belonging and with padel being the fastest-growing sport in the world, this is the perfect moment to build something that blends competition with culture.”
Padel House, the country’s leading promoter of the sport, comes on board as the official venue partner.
“Partnering with SLPL is an exciting leap forward for padel in Sri Lanka. This league creates a national platform for players, builds awareness of the sport and opens doors for fans, brands and communities to come together,” said Rajeev Rajapakse, Co-founder of Padel House.
With over 25 million active players globally, padel is a fast-paced racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court that demands agility, strategy and flair.
In response to growing enthusiasm and multiple inquiries, the SLPL has also opened team ownership and player registrations to international applicants, further extending its reach and elevating the competitive standard. The league has already received strong interest from local and overseas investors looking to be part of this pioneering chapter in Sri Lankan sport.
SLPL aims to elevate padel locally through franchise identity, live broadcast coverage, sponsor activations and fan engagement—ushering in a new era of professional sport in Sri Lanka.
