LAYKOLD PADEL TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT
THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
An iconic setting for a spectacular showcase of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
On 15–16 August 2026, the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House was transformed into a spectacular waterfront padel arena for The Padel Invitational presented by UBS.
Set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge, the event brought together international padel stars, Australian sporting legends, celebrities, leading club players and fans for two days of elite competition, entertainment and community participation.
At the centre of it all was a custom Laykold Padel Flex court, created specifically for this unique event and its iconic location.
A COURT CREATED FOR AN ICONIC STAGE
Delivering a temporary padel court at the Sydney Opera House presented a very different brief to a conventional padel installation.
Synthetic Padel Group was engaged by Tennis Australia and Padel Australia to deliver a temporary padel court, turning to APT Asia Pacific to help customise the Laykold Padel Flex court for the event with bespoke elements designed to complement the iconic location and event identity.
The result was designed to make an impact.
The court featured striking red Laykold Padel Turf Pro, manufactured at APT’s Melbourne facility. The playing surface incorporated custom turf logos, complemented by a branded net and custom-branded entrance padding to create a cohesive event court that looked as impressive from the surrounding Broadwalk as it did on camera.
Framed by the sails of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge, the finished court created a spectacular temporary sporting arena in the heart of the city.
A WORLD-CLASS LINE-UP
Delivered by Padel Australia in collaboration with Premier Padel and the International Padel Federation (FIP), The Padel Invitational brought an impressive international field of former world No.1s, world champions and emerging stars to Sydney.
Australian tennis icons and former world No.1s Pat Rafter and Ash Barty were among the headline names taking to the Laykold court, with Rafter continuing his competitive career in padel as a member of Australia’s national team, the Aussie Crocs.
The international field included padel great Juan Martín Díaz, who spent 13 consecutive years as world No.1, alongside seven-time FIP World Champion Alejandra Salazar and leading players including Martín Di Nenno, Maxi Sánchez, Pablo García, Marina Lobo, Aimee Gibson and Mar Munuera.
The action extended well beyond the professional exhibition matches, with a program incorporating the Celebrity 1 Point Padel competition, Padel Under the Lights, Australian club competition, exhibition matches and community padel experiences.
The celebrity competition brought another dimension to the event, with names including Olympic swimming champion Kaylee McKeown, The Inspired Unemployed, model Bambi Northwood-Blyth and actor Josh Heuston joining Rafter and other personalities on court.
Interest in the event was strong, with reserved seating across the weekend selling out before play began.
A COURT DESIGNED TO GO WHERE THE ACTION IS
The Sydney Opera House installation demonstrated exactly what the Laykold Padel Flex court was designed for – bringing a premium padel experience to locations where a permanent court isn’t an option.
Purpose-designed for events, activations, tournaments and temporary installations, its modular design and steel perimeter ring allow the court to be securely installed on suitable hard surfaces with minimal impact when removed. Its predominantly aluminium frame is lighter and easier to install than steel, while aluminium’s rust-free properties make it particularly well suited to outdoor environments and coastal locations.
While the installation may be temporary, the playing experience is anything but. The Flex combines 12mm tempered safety glass with Australian-made Laykold Padel Turf Pro, designed to deliver consistent ball response, traction and player comfort.
Delivering a court in a location as unique as the Sydney Opera House required specialist expertise. Synthetic Padel Group’s experience in padel court construction and installation was critical to the planning, assembly, turf installation, custom branding and final fit-out.
Together, Synthetic Padel Group and APT Asia Pacific delivered a professional-quality padel experience in one of Australia’s most iconic locations – showcasing the possibilities of taking padel beyond traditional venues.
