Six Sports, One Business Opportunity: Why RacquetsUp Expo Belongs in Your Diary

Running a racket sports business leaves little time to look beyond the next booking, coaching session or customer order. Yet some of the most useful ideas can come from people working in a different sport who have already tackled the problem you are trying to solve.

That is the appeal of RacquetsUp Expo 2027, taking place at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, from 19–21 February. Bringing together tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, badminton and table tennis, the event aims to connect the people who play, supply, develop and run these sports.

Racket Business readers can save 5% on their booking using code ‘RACKETBUSINESSFIVE’ at checkout. Book your place at RacquetsUp Expo.

For Racket Business readers, it offers a reason to step away from day-to-day operations and spend time with potential suppliers, partners and customers.

A programme with business in mind

The published agenda includes discussions on investment and sponsorship, digital marketing, careers in racket sports and the future of the sector. Alongside the main stage, an innovation showcase is scheduled to cover coaching tools, athletic performance, technology and community initiatives, while the B2B/VIP lounge provides a dedicated setting for industry conversations. Access to the B2B sessions requires an industry pass.

The practical value will depend on what visitors bring to those conversations. A club considering another sport can arrive with questions about programming and commercial viability. A coach can investigate tools that might improve their service. A manufacturer can explore how its products fit the needs of a different market.

At Racket Business, we believe these exchanges deserve more attention. Sports have distinct identities, but the businesses behind them face familiar questions: how to attract newcomers, retain regular players, recruit good staff and make facilities financially sustainable. There is little benefit in each sport working through every challenge alone.

Putting facilities in the conversation

For readers involved in court development, the planned Court Builder’s Symposium is a particular draw. Designed for builders, architects, developers and operators, it will focus on exchanging knowledge and building relationships around racket sports facilities. Further programme and registration details are due to be announced as planning progresses.

This is an area where good conversations can have lasting commercial value. Decisions about layout, construction and the player experience shape a facility long after its opening weekend. Bringing the people who build courts into contact with those who operate them should help both sides ask better questions.

Connecting the industry with players

The expo also plans to put participation alongside business. Its Junior Racquets Discovery programme is designed for children aged 5–17 to try all six sports, with equipment and professional instruction included.

Table Tennis Canada and Ontario Table Tennis have already announced their partnership with the event. Explaining the appeal, Ontario Table Tennis president Betty Zareba described it as an opportunity to “showcase table tennis, celebrate our sport, and bring some of Canada’s top young athletes to inspire the next generation.”

That connection between the industry and its future customers matters. A successful racket sports business needs people to discover the game, enjoy their first experience and find a reason to return.

A date for the diary

Our view is that RacquetsUp Expo deserves consideration from businesses looking to broaden their contacts, explore the Canadian market or learn from neighbouring sports. Go with a few specific questions and a clear idea of whom you would like to meet, and the visit could be considerably more useful than another weekend spent exchanging business cards.

RacquetsUp Expo takes place on 19–21 February 2027 at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto.

Racket Business readers can save 5% on their booking using code ‘RACKETBUSINESSFIVE’ at checkout. Book your place at RacquetsUp Expo.