The 2026 Cathay HSBC Hong Kong Sevens marked a defining moment not only for rugby, but for the rapid rise of padel across Asia. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the Asia Pacific Padel Tour introduced a Grand Slam Platinum event within the iconic Kai Tak Sports Park bringing together global sport, entertainment, and innovation on one stage.
At the centre of this milestone was Olympia Courts, delivering a premium AirPadel court system engineered for high-impact, high-traffic environments. Designed for flexibility without compromising performance, the AirPadel innovation enabled a full professional-grade court to be installed within a live event setting, transforming the HK7’s Fan Village into a dynamic padel arena.
This installation was more than a court it was a statement. A statement that padel is no longer emerging. It is arriving at scale.
A Global Stage for a Fast-Growing Sport
The APPT Grand Slam Platinum Hong Kong event ran from 17 to 19 April 2026, featuring professional and amateur divisions, international players, and a prize pool of USD 20,000.
Set against a backdrop of over 100,000 spectators attending the Hong Kong Sevens, the exposure was unmatched positioning padel in front of one of the most engaged sporting audiences in Asia.
The tournament blended elite competition with fan experience, allowing spectators to move seamlessly between world-class rugby and high-performance padel. This crossover created a new kind of sporting atmosphere one where accessibility, entertainment, and competition meet.
Engineering Performance in a Live Event Environment
Olympia Courts’ AirPadel system was specifically selected for this environment. Built for rapid deployment and structural reliability, the system allowed for:
• Fast installation within a major event timeline
• Stability under continuous play and large crowds
• Professional-grade playing conditions in a temporary venue
• A visually striking panoramic court design suited for broadcast and live engagement
This is where innovation meets practicality bringing elite sport into spaces where traditional construction is not viable.
Driving Padel Growth Across Hong Kong and Asia
The Hong Kong Sevens activation represents a strategic milestone in Olympia Courts’ regional expansion. By placing padel in front of a global audience, the goal is clear:
• Introduce padel to new markets at scale
• Support investors and operators entering the sport
• Demonstrate flexible court solutions for urban and event-based environments
• Strengthen partnerships with APPT and regional stakeholders
As padel continues to grow as one of the fastest-rising sports globally, events like HK7’s act as catalysts accelerating adoption across Asia and positioning cities like Hong Kong as key hubs in the sport’s future.
