The inaugural Padel Rally 2025 successfully merged high-performance motoring with the world's fastest growing sport, creating a unique experience that brought together luxury cars and competitive padel tennis across the picturesque Cotswolds countryside.
From Pub Idea to Reality
The concept for The Padel Rally was born during a casual pub conversation between business partners James Male and Jack. Their discussion about favourite cars and V12 engines was interrupted by the realisation that early morning padel matches were replacing late-night drinks throughout London. This sparked the innovative idea to combine their two passions: premium automotive experiences and the rapidly expanding sport of padel tennis.
The event launched on Monday 10 November 2025 from Joe Macari's prestigious showroom in Wandsworth, south London. Amidst millions of pounds worth of Porsches, Ferraris and Jaguars, participants gathered beneath a giant screen displaying the specially designed Padel Rally logo.
The Alpine A290 Leads the Charge
The rally featured an Alpine A290 GTS as the lead vehicle, the French marque's new electric hot hatch priced at £36,000. This choice felt particularly appropriate given Alpine's existing involvement in padel, having recently sponsored the Paris Major tournament won by world number one Arturo Coello.
The electric hot hatch faced significant challenges throughout the day, including range anxiety through the Cotswolds lanes, keeping pace with supercar-driving guests, and serving as a camera car for social media content. With its 52kWh battery and 220hp motor, the A290 proved capable of maintaining position in a convoy that included an Audi R8 and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4.
Cotswolds Adventure and Padel Action
The carefully planned route took ten guests from London suburbs to lunch at The Classic Motor Hub in Stow-on-the-Wold, followed by afternoon padel sessions and a green Michelin-starred dinner at Daylesford Farm. The journey tested both the vehicles and the concept, with the Alpine demonstrating its capabilities as a refined city car and enthusiastic country lane companion.
At The Classic Motor Hub, the Alpine attracted significant attention parked among exotic cars, with visitors curious about the brand's retro styling and Renault 5 heritage. Following lunch and a private tour of the collection, the convoy embarked on more spirited driving through stone-built villages before arriving at Daylesford with minimal range remaining.
The padel component saw two hours of intense on-court action while vehicles charged using the farm's organic electricity supply. Participants then freshened up at the Bamford Spa before enjoying dinner at The Trough restaurant, celebrating the successful conclusion of the first Padel Rally.
The event proved so successful that organisers immediately began planning the next edition, having demonstrated that the combination of driving pleasure and padel competition creates a compelling experience for automotive and sports enthusiasts alike.
