The CUPRA FIP Tour has officially arrived in Poland for the first time, with the FIP Bronze Lotto tournament kicking off this weekend in Bydgoszcz. This debut marks a major step in the sport’s push into new territories and underscores CUPRA’s long-standing commitment to growing padel globally.
Padel continues its explosive rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Poland, with an estimated 50,000 amateur players, is now joining the professional conversation. For CUPRA, the event isn’t just another stop on the calendar. Instead, it’s proof of the brand’s vision to take the sport beyond its traditional heartlands in Spain and Latin America.
Why This CUPRA FIP Tour Event Matters for Padel’s Future
Bringing a professional-level tournament to Bydgoszcz signals real momentum for padel in Eastern Europe. Poland joins 17 other new nations hosting CUPRA FIP Tour events in 2026, part of a broader strategy to make the sport truly international. The tournament offers local talent wildcard entries and gives international players ranking points and prize money in a growing market.
CUPRA’s involvement adds prestige and resources. As the naming sponsor and official automotive partner of the FIP, the brand has helped transform a small circuit into a powerhouse, exceeding 200 tournaments planned for 2026 across five continents.
CUPRA’s Deep Roots in Padel: From Sponsor to Driving Force
According to the official Padel FIP site and CUPRA’s own partnership page, the collaboration dates back to 2020. CUPRA quickly became the title sponsor of events such as the CUPRA European Padel Championship and has supported the FIP Tour ever since.
The brand didn’t stop at sponsorship. It built the CUPRA Padel Tribe. It is a select group of top players, including legends like Fernando Belasteguín and rising stars. CUPRA has also partnered with Wilson on custom rackets and provided official cars to athletes, blending performance on the court with the brand’s bold, unconventional identity off it.
This Polish event fits into a much bigger picture. The CUPRA FIP Tour has grown dramatically, from just a handful of events early on to 115 tournaments in 2024 and even more ambitious plans for 2026. Over 5,000 athletes competed in 2025, a 78% jump from the previous year.
Key Players and Storylines to Watch in Bydgoszcz
The women’s draw looks particularly competitive. Germany’s Victoria Kurz, fresh off a win in Prishtina with Nati López Díaz, teams up with Dutch player Janine Hemmes. They’ll face strong Spanish pairs like María Portillo and Carmen Castillón, who reached the London final recently.
On the men’s side, top seeds Tonet Sans and Gustavo Nunes aim to bounce back from a recent final loss. Youp De Kroon and Julian Prins arrive riding high after their Prishtina victory. Local wildcards Kamil Czerwonka-Kamil Grzybowski, and the Pawlicki brothers will give Polish fans someone to cheer for in what’s a historic home event.
These matchups aren’t just about this weekend. They feed into the larger FIP ranking system that sits alongside Premier Padel. Strong performances here can launch careers and bring more attention to emerging scenes.
The Broader Boom: Padel’s Numbers Tell an Exciting Story
Padel has exploded globally. The FIP’s World Padel Report 2025 puts the player count well over 35 million, with Europe leading at around 61% of participants. Spain still dominates with millions of players and thousands of courts, but growth in places like Italy, France, the UK, and now Eastern Europe shows no signs of slowing.
Poland’s 50,000 players might seem modest compared to Spain’s numbers, but that base creates fertile ground. New courts are popping up, clubs are investing, and national federations are organizing more events. The Bydgoszcz tournament, followed by another in Warsaw in June, should accelerate that.
CUPRA understands this perfectly. Their partnership goes beyond logos on courts. It’s about shared values, challenging the status quo, and building community. Padel’s accessibility aligns with CUPRA’s modern approach.
The most important thing is that the fans coincide with it. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or following the pros, there’s something electric about watching the sport expand into new countries. You can sense the excitement in local clubs where players are suddenly dreaming bigger.
What CUPRA’s Commitment Means Long-Term
Beyond individual tournaments, CUPRA is helping push padel toward Olympic recognition. The FIP has made no secret of its ambitions, and sponsors like CUPRA provide the infrastructure, visibility, and funding to make that dream realistic. Supporting junior development, increasing the number of combined men’s and women’s events, and expanding into new markets all feed into that goal.
The 2026 calendar is packed with hundreds of draws, new countries from Asia to Africa, and a focus on quality venues. CUPRA’s role as official partner for apparel, rackets, balls, turf, and more ensures consistency and professionalism at every level.
What Comes Next for the CUPRA FIP Tour and Polish Padel
Action in Bydgoszcz runs through mid-May, with qualifiers already underway and main draws delivering high-level matches. Expect live streams, local media coverage, and a boost for Polish padel infrastructure. Then eyes turn to Warsaw in early June for another FIP Bronze event. These back-to-back stops should create real buzz, attract sponsors, and inspire more clubs to invest.
For CUPRA, this is another chapter in a successful playbook, growing the sport while strengthening brand presence in new markets. For players and fans in Poland, it’s the start of something special: professional padel on home soil, with the potential to turn thousands of amateurs into dedicated followers and competitors.
The sport keeps evolving, one country and one powerful partnership at a time. CUPRA and the FIP are making sure padel doesn’t just grow. Instead, it thrives in places that once seemed far from the action. Whether you’re courtside in Bydgoszcz or watching from afar, this weekend feels like a genuine milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the FIP Bronze LOTTO tournament in Bydgoszcz a huge milestone?
It was the first time in Polish history that the official CUPRA FIP Tour hosted a professional event in the country.
2. How is the progression of Padel in Poland?
The scope of padel in Poland has increased drastically, with a talent pool of 50,000 active amateur players. With an increased progression in padel, Poland is set to schedule a back-to-back FIP Tour stop in Warsaw.
3. What is the history between CUPRA and the International Padel Federation (FIP)?
CUPRA’s history with the International Padel Federation (FIP) dates back to 2020. Their partnership has generated 200 planned tournaments by the end of 2026.
