About Femme Open
One name has come up consistently in our Community Spotlights, and that’s Femme Open. Founded by Johanna Livijn and Johanna Aybar, Femme Open began as a simple idea that turned into a significant movement.
Their story started in Båstad in 2018, during the World Padel Tour. Johanna Aybar was part of the organising team, while Johanna Livijn was there because her partner worked on the Discovery TV broadcasting. Legends like Fernando “Bela” Belasteguín, Paquito Navarro, and Juan Lebrón were on court – but at that time, padel was still in its early days in Sweden.
Johanna Aybar had already been playing since 2016, and in Båstad, Johanna Livijn took her very first padel shots – with Bela himself. Back in Stockholm, they kept playing separately, but soon realised there was space for something new: a way to bring women together through sport.
In November 2018, they hosted the first small Femme Open tournament. What began as a hobby project soon grew into a modern women’s sports network helping women compete, connect, and feel great – on and off the court.
Today, Femme Open spans padel, tennis, golf, running, wellness, and community experiences across Europe, all designed to empower women through sport and connection.
Community Origins
Femme Open was founded to make sport more accessible, inclusive, and energising for women, combining competition with community in a premium, social environment.
Their mission is to empower women through the joy of sport and networking. Their values – Sporty, Inclusive, Empowering, Connecting, Fun – guide every decision and experience.
From their first local tournaments to a calendar of events across Europe, the founders have built a brand rooted in authenticity. Together with local partners, they’ve proven that high-quality, values-led experiences can scale while staying warm and personal.
Today, Femme Open is far more than a tournament; it’s a movement. The team curates experiences that go beyond the court: informative talks, skill workshops, intimate lunches, and press events that amplify women’s voices and brands. Every gathering is designed to be welcoming, premium, and genuinely useful, helping women build confidence, knowledge, and community.
Getting Involved
- Play & Compete
You can join Femme Open events across Europe. There are welcoming vibes, level-based formats, upbeat music, goodie bags, prizes, and more. It’s the thoughtful touches that make each day special! - Join the Femme Club
Members receive a welcome pack, partner perks, discounts, and early access to experiences throughout the year. - Partner with Femme Open
Brands can collaborate with Femme Open to reach a modern, engaged audience in a premium sports setting. Together, they co-create activations, clinics, and content that bring genuine value to their participants.
How to Start
Anyone interested is advised to check upcoming events on Femme Open’s official channels, join the newsletter, or email info@femmeopen.com to find out more.
Community Reflections
Favourite part of the journey so far?
“The moments between points – friendships forming, first-timers trying tournaments, and experienced players mentoring newcomers. Watching women leave feeling stronger, prouder, and more connected is everything. We often hear from women who’ve recently gone through a separation and reach out to reconnect and rebuild. Those messages remind us why we do this.”
Biggest challenge so far?
“Scaling while protecting quality and inclusivity.” As Femme Open expanded to more cities and sports, the founders remained intentional about maintaining standards, keeping every event personal and premium.
Looking Ahead
The team has ambitious plans for the next phase of Femme Open:
- Broader Sports & Geographies – Growing the calendar for tennis, golf, and running across Europe (and beyond), while continuing to strengthen padel (we’re glad to hear this!).
- Member Experience – Enhancing Femme Club with new partner perks, workshops, and exclusive members-only activations.
- Best-in-Class Partnerships – Expanding collaborations with leading brands to deliver meaningful, memorable experiences for women in sport.
We wish the founders all the best, and thank them for sharing their story with us.
