On the eve of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open’s venture fund announces its partnership with Padel Haus to further support the growth of the world’s fastest growing sport
New York, NY and Melbourne, AU / Jan 20, 2026 / Padel Haus
AO Ventures, the investment arm of the Australian Open and Tennis Australia, is investing in padel, one of the fastest growing sports in the world. AO Ventures is making a significant investment in Padel Haus, the leading premium padel platform in the United States.
Padel Haus started in New York, and quickly established itself as the gold standard for padel in the US, combining premium facilities, community-driven programming, and one of the country’s leading padel academies. The company currently operates six clubs across the US, with plans for continued growth as the number of US Padel players is expected to double by 2030.
This is the fourth investment from AO Ventures’ $US40m fund.
AO Ventures General Partner Dr Machar Reid said they are bullish on the growth of padel globally and actively investing in the sport’s growth through a range of partnerships, domestically and abroad.
“As a business, we have observed the explosion of the sport internationally and there are now strong foundations for growth in Australia, with courts, clubs and competitions continuing to be established.”
“We have closely followed Padel Haus for the past few years and been impressed with Santiago’s ability to repeatedly execute on building premium venues and experiences for Padel players with attractive returns” he explained.
Padel Haus is excited about the partnership. Padel Haus Founder and CEO Santiago Gomez said the partnership represents a major milestone for the company.
“This opportunity represents more than an investment. Tennis Australia is one of the most respected sports institutions in the world, and AO Ventures’ decision to invest in Padel Haus is a powerful validation of our long-term approach to building padel the right way.”
“Padel is still early in its global journey, and partnering with AO Ventures and Tennis Australia, which bring more than 120 years of experience building global sports platforms, creates a credible pathway for continued expansion,” he added.
About Padel Haus :
Padel Haus is the leading padel club operator in the United States, with three locations in New York City, one in Nashville, one in Atlanta, and one in Denver, with an additional location in Dallas opening later this year. Further locations are planned to be announced nationwide over the coming months. Designed as vibrant social and cultural destinations, Padel Haus clubs seamlessly blend premium padel-only facilities with wellness, design, and community. Every location is thoughtfully crafted to deliver an elevated padel experience unlike anything else worldwide.
About AO Ventures :
AO Ventures is a venture capital fund built to turbocharge startups shaping the future. As the official VC arm of the Australian Open Grand Slam and Tennis Australia, AO Ventures provides capital, a global platform and networks to build reputations and accelerate the commercialization of startups changing the shape of the sports, entertainment, media and health industries