We thought the equipment market was locked in by the historical giants (Bullpadel, Head, Babolat, Nox) and the new retail giants (Kuikma). But padel abhors a vacuum and loves an upset. At the start of 2026, a new player bursts onto the scene with all-consuming ambition: Level Padel. Far from timid launches, the brand has opted for an offensive strategy: to immediately give itself sporting credibility by signing not one, but three confirmed players on the professional circuit. A strong start for a brand whose philosophy is already intriguing observers.
Betting on experience: Rubio, J. Ruiz and V. Ruiz
To exist in the Premier Padel jungle, you need to be seen. And to be seen, you need to be present in the main draws (“Cuadro Final”). Level Padel has perfectly understood this equation by recruiting three profiles of “warriors”, players capable of knocking off the seeds and ensuring constant visibility on television.
- Gonzalo Rubio: The Sevillian is undoubtedly the most spectacular headline act of this trio. A talented left-hander, capable of genius strokes and acrobatic run-outs, Rubio is a player who attracts the cameras. His aggressive style will be the ultimate crash-test for the power of Level rackets.
- Javi Ruiz: The former top player, known for his consistency and tactical intelligence. He’s the brand’s guarantee of reliability. A player who needs control and precision, validating the technical aspect of the equipment.
- Víctor Ruiz: The man behind the scenes, solid, rough and incredibly efficient. He embodies resilience and durability.
With this 100% Spanish trio, Level Padel is virtually guaranteed a place in the eighth and quarterfinals of major tournaments.
“From Players to Players”: more than a slogan, a promise?
The brand’s communication is built around an evocative baseline: “From Players to Players”. In a market where marketing sometimes takes precedence over technicality, this approach suggests a return to fundamentals. This suggests that Rubio and the Ruiz duo didn’t simply sign a check to put their name to the product, but were involved in the Research & Development (R&D) process. The goal? To create palas that meet the real demands of the court: maneuverability on defense, responsiveness on the volley and clash resistance at the highest level. If the promise is kept, Level Padel could quickly win over the fringe of “expert” players looking for pure performance before flashy design.
The big mystery: What do weapons look like?
This is the tour de force of this launch: creating buzz without actually showing the product. For the time being, the 2026 range remains a mystery. Speculation is rife on specialist forums:
- Will Rubio, with his aggressive left-handed game, use an 18K carbon Diamond model to maximize his par3s?
- Will Javi Ruiz opt for a Hybrid shape or a Round shape, favoring sweet-spot and comfort?
Another major unknown is the scope of the product range. Will Level Padel confine itself to selling rackets, or is it aiming to become a global equipment manufacturer (textiles, luggage, shoes)? Seeing these three players dressed head-to-toe in the brand’s colors at the next tournament will give us an initial answer.
A place in the sun in 2026
Launching a new brand today is a colossal challenge. Store shelves are full and amateur players are often loyal to their favourite brands. However, recent history (with the build momentum of brands such as Oxdog and Tactical Padel) proves that there is room for high-quality products. With this trio of ambassadors, Level Padel is off to the best possible start. They’re not world No.1s (yet), but they’re respected faces and “hard workers” on the circuit. An image that could well fit in with what the brand wants to convey: seriousness, performance and professionalism. Let’s meet at the first tournament of the season to see if Rubio’s and Ruiz’s sporting results will enable Level Padel to move… to the next level. Are you curious to try out this new brand, or are you waiting to see the first returns from the pros?
