Padel Invitational in Hamptons Draws Celebrities, Debuts Fantasy Sports Element

In mid-August, the Hamptons region north of New York City played host to a three-day padel invitational tournament that showcased the sport's growing popularity. The event, which ran from August 14-16, brought together celebrities, competition, and fans to several Hamptons estates, with a property owned by Wayne Boich serving as the main venue.

The tournament featured an exhibition match with former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, who also participated in the player draft that saw 48 players from 24 teams compete for a cash prize. Among the high-profile attendees were New York City mayor Eric Adams, hospitality figures Dave and Isabella Grutman, nightlife leaders Noah and Melissa Tepperberg, and Zero Bond founder Scott Sartiano. Music executive Steve Stoute, Equinox chairman Harvey Spevak, and SiriusXM president Scott Greenstein were also spotted courtside.

The event's big entertainment moment came when singer Robin Thicke of "Blurred Lines" fame performed a surprise concert during the final day. Additionally, the Hamptons showcase debuted a new sports gaming element, with the event organizer, Reserve, partnering with DraftKings to launch a Pro-Am Pick'Em. This allowed fans and guests to make predictions about the matches and track the results in real-time, marking the first time fantasy-style play has been tied directly to padel.