Game, set, Sydney: Laykold padel at the Opera House
August 31, 2026
World-class padel, a striking red court and one of the most spectacular backdrops in sport: The Padel Invitational brought the action to the heart of Sydney.
For two unforgettable days, the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House became a waterfront padel arena. Held on 15 and 16 August 2026, The Padel Invitational presented by UBS welcomed international padel stars, Australian sporting icons, celebrities and fans to a truly unique setting between the Opera House, Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.
Centre stage belonged to a custom Laykold Padel Flex court. Synthetic Padel Group was commissioned by Tennis Australia and Padel Australia to deliver the temporary installation, working with Polytan’s sister company APT Asia Pacific to create a court worthy of this iconic location.
Its vibrant red Laykold Padel Turf Pro surface was manufactured at APT’s Melbourne facility and enhanced with custom turf logos, a branded net and bespoke entrance padding. The result was an event court designed to stand out – from the surrounding Broadwalk, on camera and, of course, in play.
And there was no shortage of talent to put it to the test. Former world number ones and world champions Juan Martín Díaz and Alejandra Salazar joined leading international players including Martín Di Nenno, Maxi Sánchez, Pablo García, Marina Lobo, Aimee Gibson and Mar Munuera. Australian tennis stars Pat Rafter and Ash Barty added even more excitement to a packed programme of exhibition matches, club competitions, community sessions and Padel Under the Lights.
The spectacular installation also showed what the modular Laykold Padel Flex system can do. Developed for events, tournaments and temporary activations, the court can be installed securely on suitable hard surfaces and removed again with minimal impact. Its predominantly aluminium frame facilitates installation and offers excellent resistance to corrosion – an important advantage for outdoor and coastal locations.
Together, Synthetic Padel Group and APT Asia Pacific brought a professional padel experience to one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. The installation proved that, with the right court, padel can take centre stage almost anywhere.
Photo Credit: The Padel Invitational presented by UBS
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