Posted in

RacquetX Comes to Fort Lauderdale Featuring Former NFL Stars – Florida Tennis

RacquetX Comes to Fort Lauderdale Featuring Former NFL Stars
– Florida Tennis

The countdown is on. With just eight days to go, RacquetX presented by Playtomic — North America’s premier festival and celebration of racquet sports — is set to take over Fort Lauderdale for its third edition from March 13–15, 2026 at the Broward County Convention Center.

Bigger, bolder, and more action-packed than ever before, RacquetX 2026 promises three unforgettable days uniting the racquet sports community, industry leaders, and fans from across the globe.

NFL Star Power Hits the Court

RacquetX 2026 is bringing serious firepower from the gridiron to the court. NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens will step onto the court to play TYPTI, the new racquet sport founded by Tennis Channel founder Steve Bellamy.

Also appearing is five-time NFL Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry, the former Miami Dolphins receiver and avid pickleball player. Landry recently showcased his racquet sports skills at the 22nd annual Desert Smash Tennis and Pickleball Celebrity Event in La Quinta, California.

Adding to the NFL presence is former Carolina Panthers safety Tre Boston, one of the most prominent athlete ambassadors in the padel industry. Boston — who has invested in several leading padel operators in the United States — will take to the padel court at RacquetX, bringing both his passion for the sport and his credentials as a serious industry stakeholder.

National Padel League Finals – Season 1

Following a record-breaking inaugural season, the National Padel League (NPL) will host its Season 1 National Finals during RacquetX weekend at the prestigious Reserve Sole Mia in North Miami, with the ultimate championship match taking place at RacquetX itself.

The NPL has quickly established itself as the premier amateur padel team competition in the United States. In a landmark partnership, RacquetX is serving as the league’s Official Experiential Partner. All NPL finalists will receive a three-day pass to RacquetX, connecting elite amateur competition with the leading racquet sports festival in North America.

X-Clubs Showcase: The Ultimate Club Rivalry

Eight of the top padel clubs in the country will compete in the X-Clubs Showcase, including a highly anticipated local rivalry between Ultra Padel and Reserve. Expect intense competition, club pride, and padel played at the highest level.

A Conference Agenda Like No Other

The RacquetX conference program is stacked with thought-provoking sessions and must-see moments.

Fixing the Game: Corruption in Sport — In one of the most compelling sessions of the weekend, internationally recognized match-fixing expert Declan Hill, Ph.D. (Oxford, Associate Professor at the University of New Haven) will interview former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who served prison time following a betting scandal that shook professional basketball. The session will explore how corruption and gambling interests infiltrate sport — and what racquet sports leaders can do to protect integrity before problems arise.

Intennse Draft — Fast-paced, team-based and built for both players and fans, Intennse is a bold modern reinvention of tennis. Expect a no-shush zone, high energy, and a format designed to captivate a new generation of tennis enthusiasts. The player draft will take place on March 13.

Play the Sports Yourself

Fans attending RacquetX will also have the chance to step on court themselves. The event will feature five padel courts, three pickleball courts, and one full-sized tennis court set up inside the Broward County Convention Center for visitors to experience the sports firsthand.

For the full conference agenda and event details, visit theracquetx.com.

===

Source: RacquetX. Photo credits (top, from left to right): Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *