Pro Climbing League lands £3.2M seed to build standalone circuit
What's the deal? Pro Climbing League (PCL) has raised a £3.2 million seed round led by Redrice VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to build what it calls one of the sport's first professional circuits outside the gym environment. Active PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Accelerate VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and the International Bouldering Alliance also joined.
Why now? PCL says it sold 4,000 tickets on the first day of sales for its 2027 season, after its 2026 London debut sold out its 2,500-seat venue in under a day. "We sold 4,000 tickets in the first day and are steadily climbing," chief executive officer Danaan Markey said, adding that demand pushed PCL to accelerate expansion by a year and move to larger venues.
What's the endgame? The funding underpins a three-event 2027 season across Berlin, Paris, and London, with £50,000 in prize money at each — more than 40% up on 2026. PCL plans five events in 2028, including at least one in the US, with Asia also under consideration.
The money angle: PCL's model rests on ticket sales and sponsorship, with Red BullDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which broadcast the London event, a "major partner." Markey argues the sport needs it: first place at major international events currently pays £6,000, forcing many top climbers to take second jobs.
Who's behind it? PCL was founded by Markey, a German national team coach and former PatagoniaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → marketer, alongside commentator Charlie Boscoe, former BBC Radio live events head Neil Wyatt, and operator Eelco Bulten. Redrice counts Andy Murray and Alistair Brownlee as associate partners.
What could go wrong? The commercial model is unproven. Strong ticket demand and media interest will have to translate into repeatable, profitable events for the circuit to last.
The signal: Climbing is drawing bigger crowds — USA ClimbingDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → reported 8,500 spectators across a 2026 World Climbing Series event, while World Climbing's 2026 prize pool passed €1 million. PCL's raise is a bet that institutional capital can build a standalone league to capture that growing audience.
Read more: Tech Funding News
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
