Cristiano Ronaldo invests in Lisbon sports club
Following his multi-million investment in the Cidade do Padel development in Oeiras, the football star, who is a well-known padel enthusiast, has bought the Lisboa Racket Centre in Alvalade.
What?
Following his investment in the Cidade do Padel development in Oeiras, set to open in Oeiras in 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo has now bought the Lisboa Racket Centre in Alvalade.
The Lisboa Racket Centre includes multiple padel, tennis, and squash courts, a gym, and a bar. It was previously operated by the company Van Veggel – Campos de Ténis de Lisboa, which was established around 40 years ago.
Thanks to the growing popularity of padel, the club—located near Parque José Gomes Ferreira—reported profits of 287,400 euros last year, marking a 34% increase from the previous year.
Its business volume grew from around 800,000 euros in 2019 to 1.3 million euros in 2023, according to the InformaDB company database. At the end of last year, it had a positive net position, with equity exceeding one million euros.
Cidade do Padel
Cristiano Ronaldo’s acquisition of the Lisboa Racket Centre comes about a year after the announcement of his six-million-euro investment in Cidade do Padel, in partnership with businessman Filipe de Botton.
Construction works on the project, on a plot of land of around 15,000 square meters, were delayed due to land licensing issues with the Oeiras City Council. Work is now set to begin in December, with completion planned for the first quarter of 2026. The plan includes the construction and operation of a major project near Jamor, with a 20-year lease, extendable twice for five-year periods.
It will feature 17 padel courts, 11 of which will be covered, a central court with seating for up to 2,000 people, gyms, a support building for padel activities, and dedicated parking.
The facilities will be capable of hosting international championships.
CR’s investment portfolio
The Portuguese football legend has strategically expanded his financial footprint well beyond football. His ventures include hospitality, fitness, real estate, and sports, showcasing a business acumen that rivals his athletic prowess.
Ronaldo’s most prominent investments are in the hospitality industry through his partnership with the Pestana Hotel Group, one of Portugal’s largest hotel chains.
Together, they launched the “Pestana CR7” hotel chain, which currently has properties in prime global locations including Lisbon, Funchal (Ronaldo’s hometown in Madeira), Madrid, Marrakech, and New York City.
These hotels target millennial travelers with a luxury experience that incorporates high-tech amenities and a fitness-oriented lifestyle, aligning with Ronaldo’s personal brand. The success of this venture has positioned Ronaldo as a key figure in Portugal’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Ronaldo has also made significant moves in the fitness industry. In partnership with Crunch Fitness, he opened “CR7 Fitness” gyms in several cities, offering state-of-the-art facilities and fitness experiences.
These gyms not only capitalize on Ronaldo’s image as a health and fitness icon but also appeal to a global audience keen on replicating his training regimen. Expanding into personal health and wellness, Ronaldo’s fitness empire allows him to inspire and influence fans who aspire to his disciplined lifestyle.
Ronaldo’s “CR7” brand, which includes clothing, footwear, and fragrances, reflects his status as a global icon. The CR7 brand is highly visible in men’s fashion, particularly in underwear and denim, and it consistently incorporates Ronaldo’s style and personality.
This brand has found success worldwide, appealing to a young, fashion-forward demographic that admires Ronaldo’s charisma and distinctive style. His fragrances, launched in partnership with Eden Parfums, are equally popular, adding a personal touch to his brand’s image.
Ronaldo has also ventured into the digital space with stakes in various tech-focused companies.
He co-founded the mobile app 7egend, a digital marketing firm that leverages his brand in innovative ways to engage fans. Ronaldo has also partnered with numerous global brands like Nike, Herbalife, and Clear Shampoo, securing endorsements that are often long-term and highly profitable.
His lifetime deal with Nike, worth over $1 billion, is one of the most lucrative endorsement deals ever for an athlete.
More recently, he signed a partnership with human performance company WHOOP to be the brand’s official global ambassador and an investor in the company.
The deal represents one of Ronaldo’s most significant investments to date and adds the player to the company’s growing roster of global ambassador investors, including Patrick Mahomes, Michael Phelps, Eli Manning, and Rory McIlroy.
WHOOP – a nearly $4 billion company – offers a wearable health and fitness coach to help people achieve their goals by providing actionable feedback, and recommendations across recovery, sleep, training, and health.