GAMECHANGHERS: The next generation of padel players brings to the screen the stories behind CUPRA‘s international talent contest, following young padel players from around the world as they compete for a unique opportunity to accelerate their path from rookie to professional player. Created in collaboration with Movistar Plus and premiering on September 1st, the 75-minute documentary captures the ambition, sacrifice and determination required to pursue a dream in professional sport.
More than a contest, GAMECHANGERS was created to help unlock the potential of young talent and shape the future of padel. Built around the belief that talent can emerge anywhere, the initiative provides visibility, opportunities and professional support to a new generation ready to make its mark on the sport, helping create a more global and diverse future for padel.
The documentary was unveiled at CUPRA City Garage Madrid in the presence of Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA; Luigi Carraro, FIP president; the professional padel players and members of the CUPRA Padel Tribe Ari Sánchez and Ale Galán; Manu Martín, founder of the Manu Martín Academy; and Julio Morales, Head of Sports at Movistar Plus.
Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA: “At CUPRA, we are on a mission to support young talent, and GAMECHANGERS is how we do that in the world of padel. We are giving young players a genuine opportunity to show their potential and take the next step in their careers. Throughout the contest, we discovered a generation defined not only by talent, but also by ambition, resilience and a determination to challenge what comes next. These stories deserved to be told, and this documentary allows us to share them with a much wider audience.”
Julio Morales, Head of Sports at Movistar Plus: “From the moment CUPRA introduced us to GAMECHANGERS, we saw a story that went far beyond sport: personal growth, pressure and young people fighting to fulfil a dream. This documentary perfectly reflects Movistar Plus’ spirit: telling the best stories in sport. Padel, resilience and athletes overcoming challenges are part of our DNA, making this partnership with CUPRA a natural fit.”
Luigi Carraro, FIP President: “FIP is fully aligned with the IOC’s vision of supporting athletes, especially the next generation of talent. Following the successful edition in 2025, we are proud to continue our partnership with CUPRA on this ambitious project, which is designed to nurture the rising stars of our sport and support their development both on and off the court.”
FROM THE COURT TO THE SCREEN
The next generation of padel players is a 75-minute production that follows participants throughout the first edition of CUPRA’s international contest, from the tournament in Madrid to the Grand Final in Barcelona, where five young players earned a scholarship designed to accelerate their progression towards the professional game.
Produced by TBS (Tech Brand Stories), Telefónica Group’s creative production company, the documentary offers an inside look at the defining moments experienced by participants and their families throughout the contest. From the pressure of selection to the excitement of being chosen, it captures the reality behind the pursuit of a professional sporting career.
At the heart of the documentary are the stories of five young scholarship winners: David Esteban (19, Spain), Javier Bolumar (18, Spain), Pietro Giovannini (18, Italy), Milla Blaschke (18, Germany) and Aina Valls (17, Spain). Together with standout finalists Zsombor Schmidt-Bohn (Hungary) and Jimena Ortiz (Mexico), among many others, the documentary combines their personal journeys with insights from jury members and leading figures in the sport, providing a unique perspective on the talent, potential and mindset required to reach the professional game.
Throughout the contest, members of the CUPRA Padel Tribe played an active role as jury members, mentors and ambassadors, helping evaluate participants, select finalists and announce the winners. Professional players including Ari Sánchez, Ale Galán, Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Javi Garrido, Jon Sanz, Andrea Ustero, Delfi Brea, Agustín Tapia and Momo González contributed to the programme, alongside local ambassadors such as Alix Collombon and Victoria Kurz.
Ari Sánchez, professional padel player and CUPRA Padel Tribe member: “Looking back at the beginning of my own career, I know how important it is to have someone believe in you and give you the right opportunity at the right time. GAMECHANGERS can make a real difference for these young players, not only by giving them visibility, but by helping them take meaningful steps towards the professional game, and being part of this has truly been a honour.”
Ale Galán, professional padel player and CUPRA Padel Tribe member: “The documentary shows everything people do not usually see. It captures the demanding journey GAMECHANGERS participants go through, the competition they face and the sacrifices they make for a chance to take the next step from rookie to pro. Watching it now on screen makes the experience feel even more real and helps viewers understand what it truly takes to pursue that opportunity.”
GAMECHANGERS: MORE THAN A CONTEST
Launched by CUPRA in 2025 in collaboration with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and with the support of the CUPRA Padel Tribe, GAMECHANGERS travelled across eight cities in six countries, bringing together young players from around the world in a quest to identify the sport’s next generation of talent.
Its first edition attracted 404 registrations and 183 participants from 13 different nationalities, culminating in the selection of five winners who received a scholarship programme including year-round professional support, training stages at the Manu Martín Academy, experiences at FIP Platinum tournaments, sessions with the CUPRA Padel Tribe and €10,000 in financial support.
While the programme initially planned to select four winners, the exceptionally high standard demonstrated throughout the contest led the jury to award a fifth scholarship, underlining the strength of the talent discovered during the first edition of GAMECHANGERS.
Manu Martín, founder of the Manu Martín Academy: “GAMECHANGERS represented an opportunity that many participants would not normally have had. They stood out, not only for the standard of play, but also for their attitude and competitive mindset. The programme gives them access to the guidance, training and experience they need to continue developing.”
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF PADEL
CUPRA has been a driving force in padel since 2019, a commitment that has seen it support official competitions, collaborate with the FIP and sponsor over 1.220 tournaments in more than 78 countries. With GAMECHANGERS, the brand continues to strengthen a connection with padel by supporting emerging talent, creating real opportunities and helping shape the future of the sport.