The first ever Padel Best Expo took the Grimaldi Forum by storm earlier this month, as famous faces and competitive athletes alike gathered over three days to celebrate the international event dedicated to the rapidly growing sport. This resounding first time success has led the organisers to announce next year’s edition.
Several ephemeral padel courts were built for the occasion, fully equipped to host the exhibition and the various tournaments on the programme, including the Principality’s own stop on the 2024 Cupra FIP Tour.
The ‘FIP Rise Monaco’ competition was organised by the Italian company, BSG in close collaboration with the Monegasque Padel Federation and its president, Cécilia D’Ambrosio. The Spanish duo of Daniel Santigosa and Guillermo Collado won the tournament in the Grimaldi Forum.
For those not on the elite padel circuit, the Five Padel Cup took place alongside the FIP Tour competition. Five competitions were held simultaneously to celebrate the universality of the sport, with tournaments reserved for Clubs, Female players, those at youth level, Padel Wheelchair and a competition for sports VIPs, including Andriy Shevchenko and Fabio Cannavaro.
(Left to right) Jean-Marc Goiran, vice president of Barbagiuans, Jordan Klein and Manuel Vallaurio, representatives of the Barbagiuans and winners of the Sports VIPs tournament of the Five Padel Cup, Barbagiuans president Louis Ducruet and Loris Saytour, Padel Best Expo organisation team member
The event ended with a gala evening at Twiga, which provided another opportunity to celebrate the success of the first Padel Best Expo and its participants with an awards ceremony. This was also an opportunity to highlight the work of Fight AIDS Monaco and Football for Ukraine, of which Andriy Shevchenko is an ambassador. The two associations will benefit from part of the funds raised by this inaugural edition of the expo.
“With the first edition of Padel Best Expo, which took place at the Grimaldi Forum, we consolidated our relationship with the Principality of Monaco by working with a long-term perspective. We have involved football champions who play Padel on an ongoing basis, such as the two Ballon d’Or winners Andriy Shevchenko and Fabio Cannavaro, and we have organised the second edition of the Five Padel Cup with VIPs and also personalities from the discipline, Monegasque and Italian institutions,” said BSG and Padel Best Expo CEO Roberta Ceccarelli.
“We will seize the opportunities that have been created and consolidate over the years this “Big Show” format that sees evening events with Flavio Briatore Majestas group, just like this first Padel Best Expo. We are delighted.” Ceccarelli concluded.
It seems that the 2025 Padel Best Expo is already written in the stars. Stay tuned for dates and details.
All images courtesy of Frédéric Nebinger – Prince’s Palace – featured image: Jordan Klein and Manuel Vallaurio