The Pro Am Padel Tour 2026 got underway in style on Wednesday 22nd July, with a star-studded opening event at Pure Padel Stockport in Manchester. Team Goode, captained by former England rugby international Alex Goode, beat Team Simpson in a fiercely contested Celebrity Pro Am to claim the first place at October’s Grand Final, kicking off what promises to be the biggest season yet for UK padel’s most talked-about tour.

Team Goode Beats Team Simpson to Open the Season

Saracens legend Alex Goode led his side to victory over Danny Simpson’s Team Simpson, sealing Team Goode’s spot in the Grand Final at Padium, London, this October. Goode will now go head to head for the Captain’s Fund, with proceeds going to his chosen charity, the Matt Hampson Foundation, a cause he has supported for more than two decades. Team Simpson were playing in support of Manchester Mind.

Speaking after the win, Goode said the day had been “amazing,” adding that it had got “very competitive” as the afternoon wore on and praising his team for being “brilliant” throughout.

Community Padel Sessions Take Centre Stage in Manchester

While the celebrity action grabbed the headlines, the real foundation of the day was the community programme delivered by the Pro Am Padel Tour with support from the LTA. Local schools and community groups took part in morning sessions designed to introduce padel to new audiences, including representatives from the Manchester United Foundation, Sale Sharks Foundation and the Jason Manford Academy.

The sessions were built around showing off padel’s accessibility and social side, giving newcomers a genuine first taste of the sport that has exploded in popularity across the UK.

Adaptive Padel Sessions Deliver a Standout Moment

One of the day’s real highlights was a dedicated adaptive padel programme, ensuring the sport was open to players of all abilities. The sessions were led by Andrew Simister, an international Inclusive Padel Tour player who returned to elite sport after losing his right leg above the knee in a road accident in 2022, alongside Louis Telford, Great Britain’s number one wheelchair padel player.

Their involvement gave attendees both inspiration and a genuine hands-on opportunity, proving that padel’s competitive edge doesn’t have to disappear when the sport is adapted for different abilities.

MVP Honours for Izzy Christiansen and Matty Lee

Former England international footballer Izzy Christiansen and Olympic diving champion Matty Lee were named MVPs of the day, each picking up a Certina DS-7 timepiece for their standout performances on court.

From Grassroots Sessions to Celebrity Showdown

Once the community programme wrapped up, the event shifted gear into corporate hospitality and a media and influencer programme, complete with brand activations including the Certina Precision Challenge and the Skechers Touch Challenge.

The afternoon’s Celebrity Pro Am brought together elite padel professionals and household names from sport and entertainment, building to a pro showcase and the All Celebrity Showdown as the day reached its climax. Pure Padel members then got the chance to play alongside some of the UK’s top players in an exclusive Pro Masterclass, closing the loop between grassroots participation and elite-level padel.

Star Names in the Manchester Line-up

Team Goode featured Alex Goode, Izzy Christiansen, Natasha Dowie, Callum Jones, Scarlett Archer and Kyle Walker.

Team Simpson, captained by Danny Simpson, lined up with Toni Duggan, Monty Panesar, Richard Whitehead MBE, Matty Lee MBE and Emily Scarratt.

Both sides were supported by leading British padel professionals, including Catherine Rose, Louie Harris, Frankie Langan, Cameron Dollimore and Josep Aymerich.

Full Team Line-ups

Team Goode

• Alex Goode (Team Captain), England international with over 300 Saracens appearances and multiple European Cup wins
• Izzy Christiansen, former England international footballer with over 30 caps, now a broadcaster and pundit
• Natasha Dowie, former England Lioness with 14 caps, ex-Blackburn Rovers and Everton forward
• Callum Jones, reality TV personality
• Kyle Walker, television presenter and broadcaster
• Scarlett Archer, Sky Sports F1 presenter and Harry Potter actress

Team Simpson

• Danny Simpson (Team Captain), Premier League champion with Leicester City’s title-winning 2015/16 squad
• Toni Duggan, former England Lioness with 79 caps, ex-Manchester City, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid striker
• Monty Panesar, former England spinner with 167 Test wickets and an Ashes winner
• Richard Whitehead MBE, double Paralympic champion and world record-holding sprinter
• Matty Lee MBE, Olympic gold medallist diver (Tokyo 2020) and podcast host
• Emily Scarratt, England’s all-time leading points scorer in women’s rugby and two-time World Cup finalist

Padel Pros Catherine Rose, Louie Harris and Josep Aymerich, Frankie Langan, Nikhil Mohindara, Cameron Dollimore and Laura Jackson also featured across the day. Cameron, Catherine and Louie will next be in action at Premier Padel, the UK’s first elite professional padel tournament, in London from 4th to 9th August.

The Road to the Grand Final

Manchester was only the first stop on a four-event tour that culminates in the Grand Final at Padium, London, on Wednesday 21st October. Each team captain is competing to raise the most money for their chosen charity through the Captain’s Fund, with contributions generated through VIP experiences and Pro Masterclass ticket sales throughout the season.

Last year’s Grand Final saw Team Lescott raise an impressive £11,500 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, setting a high bar for this year’s captains to chase.

What’s Next for the Pro Am Padel Tour

The next stop on the Pro Am Padel Tour 2026 lands in London on 25th August, with the tour continuing to grow its media partnerships and community reach across the country.

Oliver Morgan, Founder of the Pro Am Padel Tour, summed up the day: “What stood out in Manchester wasn’t just the level of competition, but the depth of engagement across the entire day, from the community sessions through to the final. That’s what makes this tour unique and why it continues to grow year on year.”

The Pro Am Padel Tour 2026 is backed by Skechers (Official Footwear Partner), Certina (Official Watch Partner), Crew Clothing (Official Performance Apparel Partner), NOX (Official Racket Partner) and the Lawn Tennis Association (Strategic Partner).

For more from the tour as it heads to London next, follow @proampadeltour, and keep it locked to Proper Padel for the full breakdown of every stop on the road to the Grand Final.