From rookie to pro: CUPRA and Movistar Plus premiere GAMECHANGERS: The next generation of padel players

GAMECHANGERS: The next generation of padel players documentary follows the journey of young talents from around the world as they compete for an opportunity that could transform their careers and help them reach the top of the sport.

• The documentary captures the first edition of GAMECHANGERS, CUPRA's international padel contest created to identify and impulse the next generation of global talent
• Following the contest’s stops across eight cities in six countries, the 75-minute production tells the stories, sacrifices and defining moments behind a group of young players chasing their dream
• GAMECHANGERS: The next generation of padel players will be exclusively available on Movistar Plus from September 1^st

Milton Keynes, 01-09-2026

GAMECHANGERS: The next generation of padel players brings to the screen the stories behind CUPRA's international talent contest, following young padel players from around the world as they compete for a unique opportunity to accelerate their path from rookie to professional player. Created in collaboration with Movistar Plus and premiering on September 1^st, the 75-minute documentary captures the ambition, sacrifice and determination required to pursue a dream in professional sport.

More than a contest, GAMECHANGERS was created to help unlock the potential of young talent and shape the future of padel. Built around the belief that talent can emerge anywhere, the initiative provides visibility, opportunities and professional support to a new generation ready to make its mark on the sport, helping create a more global and diverse future for padel.

The documentary was unveiled at CUPRA City Garage Madrid in the presence of Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA; Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation; professional padel players and members of the CUPRA Padel Tribe Ari Sánchez and Ale Galán; Manu Martín, founder of the Manu Martín Academy; and Julio Morales, Head of Sports at Movistar Plus.

“At CUPRA, we are on a mission to support young talent, and GAMECHANGERS  is how we do that in the world of padel. We are giving young players a genuine opportunity to show their potential and take the next step in their careers. Throughout the contest, we discovered a generation defined not only by talent, but also by ambition, resilience and a determination to challenge what comes next. These stories deserved to be told, and this documentary allows us to share them with a much wider audience.”
Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA

“From the moment CUPRA introduced us to GAMECHANGERS, we saw a story that went far beyond sport: personal growth, pressure and young people fighting to fulfil a dream. This documentary perfectly reflects Movistar Plus’ spirit: telling the best stories in sport. Padel, resilience and athletes overcoming challenges are part of our DNA, making this partnership with CUPRA a natural fit.”
Julio Morales, Head of Sports at Movistar Plus

“FIP is fully aligned with the IOC’s vision of supporting athletes, especially the next generation of talent. Following the successful edition in 2025, we are proud to continue our partnership with CUPRA on this ambitious project, which is designed to nurture the rising stars of our sport and support their development both on and off the court.”
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation

FROM THE COURT TO THE SCREEN
GAMECHANGERS: The next generation of padel players is a 75-minute production that follows participants throughout the first edition of CUPRA's international contest, from the tournament in Madrid to the Grand Final in Barcelona, where five young players earned a scholarship designed to accelerate their progression towards the professional game.

Produced by TBS (Tech Brand Stories), Telefónica Group's creative production company, the documentary offers an inside look at the defining moments experienced by participants and their families throughout the contest. From the pressure of selection to the excitement of being chosen, it captures the reality behind the pursuit of a professional sporting career.

At the heart of the documentary are the stories of five young scholarship winners: David Esteban (19, Spain), Javier Bolumar (18, Spain), Pietro Giovannini (18, Italy), Milla Blaschke (18, Germany) and Aina Valls (17, Spain). Together with standout finalists Zsombor Schmidt-Bohn (Hungary) and Jimena Ortiz (Mexico), among many others, the documentary combines their personal journeys with insights from jury members and leading figures in the sport, providing a unique perspective on the talent, potential and mindset required to reach the professional game.

Throughout the contest, members of the CUPRA Padel Tribe played an active role as jury members, mentors and ambassadors, helping evaluate participants, select finalists and announce the winners. Professional players including Ari Sánchez, Ale Galán, Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Javi Garrido, Jon Sanz, Andrea Ustero, Delfi Brea, Agustín Tapia and Momo González contributed to the programme, alongside local ambassadors such as Alix Collombon and Victoria Kurz.

“Looking back at the beginning of my own career, I know how important it is to have someone believe in you and give you the right opportunity at the right time. GAMECHANGERS can make a real difference for these young players, not only by giving them visibility, but by helping them take meaningful steps towards the professional game, and being part of this has truly been a honour.”
Ari Sánchez, professional padel player and CUPRA Padel Tribe member

“The documentary shows everything people do not usually see. It captures the demanding journey GAMECHANGERS participants go through, the competition they face and the sacrifices they make for a chance to take the next step from rookie to pro. Watching it now on screen makes the experience feel even more real and helps viewers understand what it truly takes to pursue that opportunity.” 
Ale Galán, professional padel player and CUPRA Padel Tribe member 

GAMECHANGERS: MORE THAN A CONTEST
Launched by CUPRA in 2025 in collaboration with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and with the support of the CUPRA Padel Tribe, GAMECHANGERS travelled across eight cities in six countries, bringing together young players from around the world in a quest to identify the sport's next generation of talent.

Its first edition attracted 404 registrations and 183 participants from 13 different nationalities, culminating in the selection of five winners who received a scholarship programme including year-round professional support, training stages at the Manu Martín Academy, experiences at FIP Platinum tournaments, sessions with the CUPRA Padel Tribe and €10,000 in financial support.

While the programme initially planned to select four winners, the exceptionally high standard demonstrated throughout the contest led the jury to award a fifth scholarship, underlining the strength of the talent discovered during the first edition of GAMECHANGERS.

“GAMECHANGERS represented an opportunity that many participants would not normally have had. They stood out, not only for the standard of play, but also for their attitude and competitive mindset. The programme gives them access to the guidance, training and experience they need to continue developing.”
Manu Martín, founder of the Manu Martín Academy

DRIVING THE FUTURE OF PADEL
CUPRA has been a driving force in padel since 2019, a commitment that has seen it support official competitions, collaborate with the FIP and sponsor over 1.220 tournaments in more than 78 countries. With GAMECHANGERS, the brand continues to strengthen a connection with padel by supporting emerging talent, creating real opportunities and helping shape the future of the sport.

Change needs drivers — and CUPRA believes real progress comes through radical disruption, by defying expectations and challenging conventions. Since its launch in 2018, the brand has transformed the automotive industry as an instigator of creativity and an agitator for change. 

In just seven years, CUPRA has launched seven models and sold over 1 million vehicles globally. Every CUPRA model is restlessly expressive, design led, and performance driven. Its fully-fledged portfolio includes the CUPRA Ateca, the first car to ever feature the CUPRA badge; the CUPRA Leon, redesigned and enhanced as a standalone CUPRA model; the CUPRA Formentor, the first car to be developed exclusively by the brand and the company’s best-selling vehicle to date; the CUPRA Born, the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle; the CUPRA Tavascan, an all-electric SUV coupe; and the CUPRA Terramar, the brand’s sporty SUV. In 2026, the CUPRA Raval, the brand’s radical interpretation of the electric urban car, will join its lineup.  

CUPRA is more than a car. It’s a conviction. The CUPRA Tribe is made up of a team of ambassadors who push back against convention and past the boundaries that hold others back, with members including Spain’s most decorated Olympian, Saúl Craviotto; film director J.A. Bayona; German goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen; and two-time Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Award-winning footballer Alexia Putellas. Obsessive about elevating emotion on and off the road, CUPRA is also FC Barcelona's official automotive and mobility partner, the Premier Padel Tour's premium sponsor and is also proud to participate in the Formula E racing competition with Kiro Race Co. 

For more information, please contact:

Chris Mease, Head of PR and Communications
07586 058302; chris.mease@seatcars.co.uk

Laura Reeder, PR Manager
07881 227608; laura.reeder1@seatcars.co.uk

Holly Williams, Events, Partnerships and Internal Engagement Manager
07738 897319; holly.williams@seatcars.co.uk

Katie Duguid, Press Fleet Manager
07983 537247; katie.duguid@seatcars.co.uk

This news release and illustration are issued in accordance with Clause 1.2J of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion and therefore cannot be the subject of a transaction of any kind.