Thibaut Courtois enters padel world with first sports investment

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has expanded his involvement in sport by entering the padel industry with his first investment in the game.

The Belgium international travelled to Dubai to launch the venture during the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1, which brings together many of the leading players in the sport.

Courtois’ move reflects his growing interest in padel, a sport attracting increasing numbers of players and fans around the world. It also comes as Dubai strengthens its position as a leading destination for major international tournaments, sporting investment and high-profile athletes.

His entry into padel investment is being made through NXTPLAY, a platform he co-founded with Gonzalo Vila. NXTPLAY has announced its first investment in the sport through a strategic partnership with Gallop Global.

Founded in Dubai, Gallop Global organises the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 and has built a growing portfolio of international sporting events.

The partnership is intended to create a long-term collaboration, combining the international sporting and media experience and connections of Courtois and his partners with Gallop Global’s expertise in developing and organising major sporting events.

The companies said the arrangement would support the wider growth of padel and create opportunities for tournaments and events in markets around the world.

“I am a big fan of padel and have followed its tournaments for years,” Courtois said.

“Events such as the Dubai tournament demonstrate how quickly the sport is growing and the exciting atmosphere it creates for players and fans. Sport is not just about competition; it is also a way of connecting people from different parts of the world.”

Courtois said NXTPLAY would focus on investing in companies with a clear vision and the ambition to build projects with genuine value.

“With NXTPLAY, we are looking to invest in companies that have a clear vision and the ambition to build projects with real value,” he added.

“We believe padel is an area in which we can make a significant contribution by using our experience and extensive relationships in the sporting sector, alongside our presence in the media.”

He also praised Gallop Global’s work in staging sporting events and said he believed the company had significant opportunities to build on that experience in new markets.

“Gallop Global has demonstrated its ability to organise exceptional events, and we believe there are major opportunities for it to use that expertise and expand into new markets,” said Courtois.

“I am excited about what we can achieve together.”