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From forthcoming padel clubs in Coconut Grove and Midtown to major tournaments and spaces open to members and nonmembers, Miami is in the midst of a veritable racquet sports renaissance. South Florida has become a hub for padel as the sport’s popularity has grown, and one keystone tournament, the Reserve Cup, has made Miami its home base.
This week, the series returns to Reserve Miami Seaplane with familiar famous faces who have thrown their support behind Reserve Padel. Today, the venture announced former Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler and Derek Jeter — both previously involved with the series — will serve as team captains at this year’s tournament featuring the Top 12 padel athletes in the world.
“Both of them represent excellence, competitiveness, and leadership at the highest level,” Reserve founder Wayne Boich tells New Times. “As team captains, they take it seriously. There’s real pride involved, and when it’s Team Jeter vs. Team Butler, it adds a whole new layer of intensity. The competition is fun, but it’s definitely real. That dynamic elevates the experience for the players and the fans, and it’s a big part of what makes the Reserve Cup feel different from a traditional tournament.”
The Cup has also booked a high-profile performer — 50 Cent — whose opening night party is presented by Hard Rock Bet.
“His presence really underscores how the Reserve Cup has evolved into more than a tournament,” Boich adds. “Padel naturally lives at the intersection of sport, lifestyle, and entertainment, and this is a perfect example of that crossover coming to life. The fact that people can watch elite competition during the day and then transition seamlessly into a major performance at night is very much in the spirit of Miami. It reflects how padel is being embraced not just by athletes, but by the broader entertainment and cultural world.”
The founder says its latest tournament — its third in Miami — is also stepping up its hospitality and amenities. The VIP lounge offers prime views of the action on the courts and serves up everything from caviar to popular dishes from The Joyce on Miami Beach and Big Face Coffee.
“You don’t need to know anything about padel to have an amazing time at the Reserve Cup,” he says. “In fact, a lot of our guests come for the energy, the setting, the food, or the entertainment, and end up leaving as fans of the sport.”
Reserve Cup Miami 2026. Thursday, January 22, through Saturday, January 24, at Reserve Miami Seaplane, 1000 MacArthur Cswy., Miami. reservecup.com.
