It takes two to Pango!
Pulco, the padel-specific apparel brand
by Minter Dial, co-founder, Pango
Padel has been quietly booming in recent years, igniting courts from Spain to the UK and establishing itself as one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. Yet, until now, the player experience has felt fragmented, split between club apps, WhatsApp groups and spreadsheets, with little sense of community beyond local circles. Pango promises a new chapter: a global padel community inviting players everywhere to re-imagine how they connect, compete and level up.
Pango is the brainchild of Camille Huyghues Despointes and myself, a duo blending entrepreneurial flair with deep padel passion. Camille is a serial entrepreneur and strategy consultant; I’m a roving reporter for The Bandeja as well as an author, filmmaker and professional speaker (in my spare time!). Our mission is clear: solve the pain points that we consider have held the sport’s digital experience back.
Pango delivers a bold answer with a platform that fuses social features, gamification and seamless league management. In the words of co-founder Camille: “We’re community-based and, in our quest to resolve the pain points of padel, will be relying on our members for their involvement and feedback to help us develop correctly.”
Players can expect a single app to join leagues, discover and rate nearby clubs and track their growth – all designed around the simple joy of playing the sport.
Ratings and matchmaking
Central to Pango is a robust universal rating system. It uses an Elo and AI-hybrid rating, ensuring that every match, whether friendly or fiercely competitive, counts towards a real, unified progress tracker. With 11 skill levels, from the true beginner to seasoned pro, there’s meaningful advancement on offer for everyone. You’ll have a nuanced rating that fits you on a scale from beginner up to the top ranked players in the world.
Players create their account with a few clicks, take a quick test with Pango’s virtual coach and enter the Selection League. After ten matches, a personalised level card unlocks, setting the stage for joining official competitions and climbing through the ranks. It’s matchmaking done right: the app helps find events and partners at your level with the right style or mindset, making each game more fun, more social and more competitive.
AI player cards
Inspired by iconic games like FIFA, SoRare, and Pokémon, Pango introduces AI-generated player cards, a collectible badge of identity and achievement. Each player, whether attacking ace or defensive machine, receives a customised card highlighting strengths, stats and unique playing style. These cards aren’t just for show; they’re designed to be shared, spark friendly banter and build recognition within the global community.
Pango’s playful side doesn’t stop there. Gamification is woven throughout, from badges and leagues to learning paths reminiscent of Duolingo. Whether chasing the next milestone or celebrating a winning streak, players interact with the system in ways that drive engagement and motivation well beyond the match.
Data, community, Connection
Today’s padel players crave meaningful stats and instant feedback; Pango gives them the tools. Every point, opponent and match type is tracked, fuelling a data-rich ecosystem. Think Strava for padel: your matchmaking history, progress and friendships live digitally, supporting individual journeys but also powering the worldwide padel movement.
The app’s community features deliver social sharing, player assessments, club ratings, challenges and direct messaging, bringing energy and fun to the off-court experience. As Pango Head of Community Nathalie Nahmias explained, the platform is ‘designed to animate communities of enthusiasts’. Whether you’re a rookie or a veteran, you’ll find your tribe.
Growth plans
Pango’s roadmap is ambitious. Launching first in Paris and London, the platform aims for rapid global expansion. Players enjoy free access, with a premium plan to come in the new year, unlocking advanced stats, exclusive leagues, special events, customised education and more.
By connecting the dots – players, clubs, brands – Pango aspires to create a unified padel marketplace. From in-app promotions to amateur tournament sponsorships and education tailored to skill level, the ecosystem is set for dynamic, sustainable growth.
Players, clubs and brands now have an open invitation to join together, share their stories and help grow the padel community worldwide. For padel enthusiasts Pango marks the beginning of a new era. Stay tuned, your padel journey is about to get a lot more exciting. Remember, it takes two to Pango!
For more on Pango and how to join, visit www.pangosports.com or find them on IG @pangosports.
