Broadsword Acquires Powerleague to Drive UK Multi-Sport Expansion with Focus on Padel and Football
Powerleague, the UK’s leading small-sided football operator, has been acquired by Broadsword Investment Management Ltd, a private equity firm specializing in real estate-backed growth opportunities. This strategic acquisition aims to accelerate Powerleague’s growth, expand its multi-sport offering with a major focus on padel, and invest in football infrastructure across the UK. The deal marks a significant step in Powerleague’s evolution from a football-centric business to a diversified multi-sport operator.
Broadsword Acquisition: A New Chapter for Powerleague
On June 2, 2025, Broadsword Investment Management completed its acquisition of Powerleague for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2024, Broadsword targets companies with strong management teams and significant growth potential, making Powerleague a prime candidate given its established market presence and ambitious expansion plans.
Powerleague currently operates 43 clubs nationwide, attracting over 9 million customers annually. Beyond its core football offering, the company manages more than 250 third-party venues that provide football and netball, highlighting its existing multi-sport footprint.
Under the new ownership, Powerleague’s management team, led by CEO Christian Rose, remains intact and is supported by Broadsword to deliver an aggressive growth strategy focused on both football and padel expansion.
Padel Expansion: Capitalizing on the Fastest-Growing Sport
A central pillar of Powerleague’s growth strategy is the introduction and rapid expansion of padel, the world’s fastest-growing participation sport. The acquisition will enable the creation of 18 new padel clubs within existing Powerleague sites, delivering 76 new courts by 2026. This expansion is expected to make padel accessible to over 200,000 players annually across the UK.
Initial padel club developments are planned in key urban centers such as Birmingham and London, leveraging Powerleague’s national footprint and extensive customer base. This move aligns with broader trends in the UK sports market, where padel is gaining popularity for its social and accessible nature.
Continued Investment in Football Infrastructure
While padel is a major growth area, football remains at the heart of Powerleague’s business. The company plans to invest heavily in football pitch regeneration and the development of new sites as part of its 2025 strategy. This investment will enhance playing surfaces, improve facilities, and expand access to small-sided football across communities.
Additionally, Powerleague is expanding its network of third-party venues in schools and leisure facilities, aiming to promote the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport participation throughout the UK.
Leadership Perspectives on the Acquisition
Christian Rose, CEO of Powerleague
“This is a hugely exciting moment for Powerleague. Partnering with Broadsword gives us the platform to accelerate our growth, invest in our clubs, and bring new sports like padel to communities across the UK. While football remains at the heart of everything we do, we’re proud to be evolving into a true multi-sport operator. Our mission remains clear: to make sport more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone,” Rose stated.
Daniel Sennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Broadsword
“We look forward to supporting the excellent management team in their efforts to build on the success of this world-class small-sided football business, as well as assisting them as they capitalise on the significant opportunity to grow into padel. With a national footprint and 9 million annual players, the opportunity for Powerleague to become a multi-sports operator is exciting. We are looking forward to going on that journey with Christian and his team,” said Sennett.
Strategic Impact on UK Sports Landscape
This acquisition and subsequent investment strategy position Powerleague as a leader in making sport more accessible and inclusive across the UK. By combining traditional football with emerging sports like padel, Powerleague is diversifying its offerings to attract a broader demographic and encourage greater community participation.
The development of padel courts and clubs within existing football venues maximizes real estate efficiency and introduces a complementary sport that appeals to both casual and competitive players. This multi-sport approach is expected to drive increased footfall, revenue diversification, and long-term sustainability for Powerleague’s venues.
About Powerleague and Broadsword
Powerleague, founded in Paisley, Scotland, is the UK’s original provider of commercial small-sided football and offers flexible booking options, social leagues, and community engagement initiatives. Its focus on the physical, mental, and social benefits of football has made it a household name among grassroots players.
Broadsword Investment Management, established in 2024, specializes in investing in companies with strong growth potential, particularly those with real estate-backed assets. Its acquisition of Powerleague reflects its commitment to supporting scalable businesses in the sports and leisure sectors.
The Broadsword acquisition of Powerleague is set to transform the UK’s multi-sport landscape by combining the popularity of football with the rapid growth of padel. With significant investments planned through 2026, Powerleague aims to broaden sports participation, enhance community engagement, and solidify its position as a leading multi-sport operator in the UK.
