The Pro Climbing League has received a major boost in its bid to create the sport’s first pro circuit by raising £3.2m ahead of its debut season next year.
Redrice Ventures, which counts Andy Murray and Alistair Brownlee as associate partners and was an early backer of British sportswear brand Castore, is among the investors.
Others include Active Partners, which has investments in Rapha and Finisterre, and Accelerate Ventures, which has backed Seat Unique and Padel Social Club.
It follows a successful proof-of-concept event in Greenwich earlier this year, attracted some of the world’s best competitive climbers – including British reigning Olympic champion Toby Roberts – and sold out in 24 hours.
“Climbing deserves a league worthy of the athletes, the audience and the culture. There are few sports with such committed and passionate fans,” said PCL co-founder Danaan Markey.
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SUBSCRIBE HERE“Climbing has been crying out for an easy-to-follow format with entertainment value, held in the cities where climbers actually live.
“London proved the appetite is there, and with our investors’ backing we’re excited to take PCL global and bring a new level of connection and competition to the sport.”
Pro Climbing League returning to London in 2027 season
The Pro Climbing League plans to hold a three-date inaugural season running from January to March next year and stopping in Berlin, Paris and London.
PCL organisers plan to expand to five events in 2028, including at least one in the US, and will also use their latest funding to build out the business.
Climbing is enjoying a boom. It joined the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020 and has a burgeoning amateur scene with a market estimated to be worth £36bn and growing 15 to 20 per cent annually.
“Indoor climbing has gone from a subculture to a global phenomenon, with mass participation, Olympic status and growing media recognition,” said former Olympic champion triathlete Brownlee.
“I was at PCL’s first London event, which sold out and brought world-class athletes together with global media distribution. Today’s climbers don’t just want to take part in their sport. They want to compete in it and watch it, and that’s an audience with real commercial value.
“A league built for both the climbing community and its athletes is a hugely exciting prospect, and we’re delighted to back Danaan and the team as they take it to the world stage.”