Stiga Arena - Let the hype begin

[kevin qmto]

Stiga has grown bored with dominating the top of the professional table tennis world, so when they heard that succeeding in the tennis racket manufacturer game was more of a challenge, those Swedish engineers eyes lit up. And apparently they swear up, down, left and right that this was not an outsourced, your-brand-here job, all literature available and press releases say this was all Stiga from the word go. Oddly, the packaging calls this the "Arena Series" referring to multiple frames, despite the fact that there's only one racket in said series.

So how's the aesthetics? Pretty good looker in my opinion. A mix of smooth-ish matte sections with high gloss piano black in others. A sleek, hard edge box beam shape but the beam is wider than most traditional box frames. They also make some other tweener type sticks like the Supreme, but this Arena is supposed to be their tour level players-spec frame, and all indications say it is! At $280 one should expect top of the line quality, and besides a bit of grip movement from the stock plush main grip (solved by re-wrapping a bit tighter) I have no complaints about quality. Frame comes in at 330g strung, Swingweight of 328, 98sq in.

comes in its own box, always neat:

strung it with LXN Element Black @52lbs

They're definitely not shy about all the tech they've implemented, even created little logos for each, how cute!

stamped/textured aluminum trap door

So here's the first play test. My opponent here was some random person who reached out to me on facebook the other day. Figured why not since no one else was available. My serve had a bit more kick than usual here, I might actually string it a bit tighter next time. control is high, frame feels quite stable and it's great for hitting powerful groundies. Dampening was excellent without feeling vague or disconnected. Anyone who says this frame is harsh or hollow feeling, I will be VERY skeptical of. Volleys were ok, tried a few drop volleys and that shot wasn't there yet. Slices felt natural and the 18x20 pattern is more open than most others I have. Overall I think this thing is excellent and was money well spent, Give the footage a watch.
I'm in the black shirt

 

[esm]

Cool review. Look forward to your league play experience/review.

Reminds me of a Blade 98, though.

 

[Trip]

Nice find @kevin qmto.

Looks like an H22 with an ever-so-slight hint of isometric shape to the upper hoop. The whole thing considered, a bit of yawn for the modern game, but the implication of "series" means that hopefully they'll have other models coming, perhaps with a higher balance of power-vs-control. And whatever "VibraTech" is, hopefully it doesn't mute the feel too much? Their site lists it as being in the grip, so maybe it's removeable? But if by "grip" they mean handle, then maybe not. Regardless, big props for also reminding the Head's and Yonex's of the world that timeless colorways are perfectly fine, often preferable (versus the Playmobil messes that I guess have become the norm nowadays, much to my disappointment...).

One question: if you have the ability, can you measure the unstrung stock swing weight of your sample(s) and report here? Thank you in advance.

Will be following with interest.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Looks rather like a Prestige Pro in the throat area, sans CAPS.

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Damn that looks bloody interesting to say the least. Likely no chance we will see these in Australia

 

[dje31]

OptiSpot lives! Not only that, it's the Elite version!

 

[Guttersnipe]

Looks promising but what does it really offer that’s different that’s on the market?(other than being developed in Sweden)

 

[Power Player]

Stiga is so good at making TT paddles, definitley top tier there.

I think what they may bring to the table here are raquets that have actual feel like pro stocks and older frames did. So maybe this Stiga is for a Blade user who doesn't like the modern, muted direction Wilson went in with the Blades. This is just my guess, I have never used one but it defintley looks cool.

 

[Trip]

I think what they may bring to the table here are raquets that have actual feel like pro stocks and older frames did. So maybe this Stiga is for a Blade user who doesn't like the modern, muted direction Wilson went in with the Blades. This is just my guess, I have never used one but it defintley looks cool.

That would be a nice differentiator, and hopefully yet another brand along with Nordicdots, Furi, Heysil, etc, who can hopefully make enough of a collective splash to cause the big lumbering giants to at least partially scale back the muting in many of these silos, or more so.

As I've said before, especially with modern-day, next-gen co-poly finally becoming supple enough, and people learning to string the older school stuff lower and lower, we don't need, much less want, a frame that feels more like a rubber children's baseball bat than it does a tennis racquet.

 

[Remioli]

Other than being 18x20, those are like the most standard specs ever.

 

[kevin qmto]

Other than being 18x20, those are like the most standard specs ever.

For their only high end offering, probably good to go that route. Take specs they know people are familiar with and show what they can do with them.

 

[Rysty]

Meike Babel, former top 30 WTA player, uses this.

 

[kevin qmto]

Meike Babel, former top 30 WTA player, uses this.

She’s the reason I heard about this. Another guy at the tennis shop said some other tennis influencer I’d never heard of is also sponsored by Stiga. But I don’t really care about pro paid endorsements, I really only trust full paying customer opinions (provided they’re competent tennis players.)

 

[McGradey]

Looks an excellent thing. Keen to hit with one.

 

[OnyxZ28]

Very striking resemblance to ye'olde G-Starr rackets

 

[kevin qmto]

Looks rather like a Prestige Pro in the throat area, sans CAPS.

Throat is reminiscent, but the edges of the current prestige’s are more rounded than this Stiga. I’ll have to check my 2021 Prestige Pro but I think the beam is thicker on the Arena as well.

 

[kevin qmto]

Here's todays tournament matches using the Stiga. Sadly the first match where I played locked in tennis went undocumented.

 

[Move]

.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Here's todays tournament matches using the Stiga. Sadly the first match where I played locked in tennis went undocumented.

Nice hitting. Are you trying to get a sponsorship with Stiga?

 

[Crocodile]

I do like to see new and small brands entering the tennis market. It makes the tennis and racquet world more interesting.
The challenging thought from my perspective in this era of the racquet industry is asking myself whether a new tennis racquet from a company like Stiga could offer something different or unique from the mainstream companies be it better quality or feel, nicer cosmetics or say better value, something that can perhaps create a cult following and put a dent in the market. The challenge in this mind set is there because apart from say Yonex or maybe one other brand that I am not aware of ( eg Dahcor) everything comes from China so you wonder how different or better a product could be. See this was say different and possible in the 80’s and 90’s when individual companies made racquets from all over the world and you could see and feel the difference. In the late 80’s a brand like Fischer would produce something like a Vacuum Pro which would captivate the market and Michael Stich would use it to win Wimbledon. Equally interesting was Mats Wilanders Rossignol, Boris Beckers Puma and Ivan Lendl ‘s Kniessl’s inspired Adidas GTX.
Currently we don’t have that diversity and individuality with dominance of the big 4 but perhaps now there could be an opportunity to do it again. I am watching how Nordicdots is going with their ideas and brands like Furi, Crane, Heysill, Kuokma, Diadem and Solinco to name a few.
I think there is definitely room for companies to create a value for money scenario just by structuring the company to distribute product in various countries at a competitive price, in some countries like Australia for example, there is some price gouging going on and some companies are being caught out.

 

[JGads]

If anyone in Europe is interested in one of these I have one for sale at a good price, just PM. It’s a quality built racquet. Very Blade Pro-ish. For good players who don’t mind the demand of it in exchange for the control/precision.

 

[kevin qmto]

Nice hitting. Are you trying to get a sponsorship with Stiga?

Little late for sponsorship since I already paid full retail. But anyways, I’m not trying to get a sponsorship, because then I could only use one racket!

 

[Guttersnipe]

Little late for sponsorship since I already paid full retail. But anyways, I’m not trying to get a sponsorship, because then I could only use one racket!

You could only use that on camera or playing in league. I had a mate who got a TenX (Australian brand) and he had a low UTR 4.0 but since he played in multiple Pennant teams they gave him 50% everything. Stiga have gone after Simon & Meike on YT. Might as well send them and email and hope the best, lol.

 

[Crocodile]

No grip 4’s !

 

[thenewbig3]

No grip 4’s !

Smart business strategy since apparently less than 1% of new racket sales are 4-1/2 or Grip 4.

Source?

In the future I will buy Grip 3 and build up to basically Grip 4 using Translucent Hockey Shin Tape (not cloth, 5-8g penalty for 2 layers depending on 1H, 2H and handle length, retains bevels quite well) - thanks @wedge for the tip. Atleast I will be able to sell used rackets easier.

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Does anyone know if these are a molded or pallet handle? To me if these days you are going to make a new racquet, go with a pallet based grip. this way you can make pallet rather than having to make the molds and work out hot support the different racquets for each mold/frame design. It just seem more cost effective, and you can then offer the variety of grip sizes without having dead stock you can sell as the grip size isnt right or available. This is why IMO Head and Volkl have better re-sale options as you can easily change the grip size if needed.

 

[kevin qmto]

Does anyone know if these are a molded or pallet handle? To me if these days you are going to make a new racquet, go with a pallet based grip. this way you can make pallet rather than having to make the molds and work out hot support the different racquets for each mold/frame design. It just seem more cost effective, and you can then offer the variety of grip sizes without having dead stock you can sell as the grip size isnt right or available. This is why IMO Head and Volkl have better re-sale options as you can easily change the grip size if needed.

looks like a regular foam core pallet to me.

Here's the highlights from the Final. I used the Arena for the first set. But I'm pretty exhausted after 3 matches in very hot sunny conditions and my arm was feeling sluggish, so I swapped to the Adidas Barricade for the 2nd set on.

I’m in the orange shirt.

 

[kevin qmto]

You could only use that on camera or playing in league. I had a mate who got a TenX (Australian brand) and he had a low UTR 4.0 but since he played in multiple Pennant teams they gave him 50% everything. Stiga have gone after Simon & Meike on YT. Might as well send them and email and hope the best, lol.

On your suggestion I emailed them. I just asked if they’d send me a string stencil. They actually replied back within 15 minutes. Here’s what they said:

“Hi Kevin, thank you for your email!

Congratulations on the win! That’s a fantastic achievement, and we’re thrilled to hear you did it with your STIGA racket.

We’d love to help you represent with a STIGA string stencil. Unfortunately, we currently only sell them within Europe, which means we can’t ship directly to the USA at this time. If you have any contacts or friends in Europe, they could purchase one on your behalf and forward it to you.

Thank you for showcasing STIGA on court!“

So umm. Little help @Grafil Injection lol

 

[Guttersnipe]

On your suggestion I emailed them. I just asked if they’d send me a string stencil. They actually replied back within 15 minutes. Here’s what they said:

“Hi Kevin, thank you for your email!

Congratulations on the win! That’s a fantastic achievement, and we’re thrilled to hear you did it with your STIGA racket.

We’d love to help you represent with a STIGA string stencil. Unfortunately, we currently only sell them within Europe, which means we can’t ship directly to the USA at this time. If you have any contacts or friends in Europe, they could purchase one on your behalf and forward it to you.

Thank you for showcasing STIGA on court!“

So umm. Little help @Grafil Injection lol

Can’t believe they didn’t just send you one. Or offer one for free (on the basis that you pay shipping). Ngl that’d leave a sour taste in my mouth, lol. Sorry for setting you up for disappointment there brother (

 

[kevin qmto]

Can’t believe they didn’t just send you one. Or offer one for free (on the basis that you pay shipping). Ngl that’d leave a sour taste in my mouth, lol. Sorry for setting you up for disappointment there brother (

Yeah, I was like, what kind of international brand doesn’t ship to the USA, like at all. What in the world?

 

[pbb]

Stiga racquets are made in old Blade and Ultra molds, perhaps Wilson doesn't allow them to sell to NA or something

Edit: they just looked like that to me on the 1st glance, I don't really know or have any other info

 

[kevin qmto]

Stiga racquets are made in old Blade and Ultra molds, perhaps Wilson doesn't allow them to sell to NA or something

That’s the first I’ve heard that. Where did you hear that intel?

 

[pbb]

But which one, first part or the second?

 

[kevin qmto]

But which one, first part or the second?

Mostly the first part. Stiga has posted this was an in house design and not outsourced or a ‘your brand here’ contract with a factory.

 

[pbb]

OK then. I'm not an expert nor any kind of insider, but does it not look like Blade and some old Ultra?

Molds are expensive to make, most smaller brands started with someone elses old mold, Stiga wouldn't be the first. Why invest 100k into molds if you're only going to have 20k revenue from your racquets is my logic

It's the layup and bonding where the magic lies, that's the "design" part in my opinion

And hello from Sweden

 

[RoarTT]

@kevin qmto How is the gripshape on the Arena? I found the shape on the Stiga Supreme to be very round. Too much so. I assume they use the same shape on the Arena.

 

[Grafil Injection]

On your suggestion I emailed them. I just asked if they’d send me a string stencil. They actually replied back within 15 minutes. Here’s what they said:

“Hi Kevin, thank you for your email!

Congratulations on the win! That’s a fantastic achievement, and we’re thrilled to hear you did it with your STIGA racket.

We’d love to help you represent with a STIGA string stencil. Unfortunately, we currently only sell them within Europe, which means we can’t ship directly to the USA at this time. If you have any contacts or friends in Europe, they could purchase one on your behalf and forward it to you.

Thank you for showcasing STIGA on court!“

So umm. Little help @Grafil Injection lol

I would definitely help out; but the stencil is a $5 item, and it would probably cost you about $100 with shipping to me and then forwarding.

Surely this is an opportunity to dust-off your high-school crafting gear, get some acrylic sheet and corner the US Stiga-stenciling market? With a bit of trial and error, you could probably print each element in actual size, then trace them onto a cuttable sheet.

 

[kevin qmto]

@kevin qmto How is the gripshape on the Arena? I found the shape on the Stiga Supreme to be very round. Too much so. I assume they use the same shape on the Arena.

Feels quite beveled to me. I’ll have to take a picture the next time I take the grip off.

 

[gbgTennis]

OK then. I'm not an expert nor any kind of insider, but does it not look like Blade and some old Ultra?

Molds are expensive to make, most smaller brands started with someone elses old mold, Stiga wouldn't be the first. Why invest 100k into molds if you're only going to have 20k revenue from your racquets is my logic

It's the layup and bonding where the magic lies, that's the "design" part in my opinion

And hello from Sweden

You vastly overestimate the cost of a racket mold. Also, the molds are obviously the IP of the brand that sells the rackets, even if the production and parts of the design are outsourced.
Quite ridiculous to just claim that Stiga makes rackets in old Wilson molds, when you clearly have no insight into the industry or any proof for your statement.
"Kinda looks like a blade, doesn't it?"...
There's only so much you can do with a constant box beam racket design in 98 sq in...

 

[TennisD]

You vastly overestimate the cost of a racket mold. Also, the molds are obviously the IP of the brand that sells the rackets, even if the production and parts of the design are outsourced.
Quite ridiculous to just claim that Stiga makes rackets in old Wilson molds, when you clearly have no insight into the industry or any proof for your statement.
"Kinda looks like a blade, doesn't it?"...
There's only so much you can do with a constant box beam racket design in 98 sq in...

...Are you saying this doesn't look like an older Blade mold? Because it does...

 

[pbb]

You vastly overestimate the cost of a racket mold. Also, the molds are obviously the IP of the brand that sells the rackets, even if the production and parts of the design are outsourced.
Quite ridiculous to just claim that Stiga makes rackets in old Wilson molds, when you clearly have no insight into the industry or any proof for your statement.
"Kinda looks like a blade, doesn't it?"...
There's only so much you can do with a constant box beam racket design in 98 sq in...

True, I really don't know much about the industry. I was just guessing, and I should've added a disclaimer that it only looked like that to me

100k is a number an insider here on the forum wrote once, so I just pasted that from memory

 

[esm]

Can’t believe they didn’t just send you one. Or offer one for free (on the basis that you pay shipping). Ngl that’d leave a sour taste in my mouth, lol. Sorry for setting you up for disappointment there brother (

Wow. Just wow.
Talking about making friends and influence people….
Can’t believe they are doing this in this day and age, while “trying” to break into a well established industry.
I stopped watching Meike YT videos due to her new format and advertising recently.
Was going to investigate this racquet abit more, but no thanks now. lol.
Edit - can you imaging in an unfortunate situation where you need to contact them for anything warranty related… lol

 

[ozbikebuddy]

You vastly overestimate the cost of a racket mold. Also, the molds are obviously the IP of the brand that sells the rackets, even if the production and parts of the design are outsourced.
Quite ridiculous to just claim that Stiga makes rackets in old Wilson molds, when you clearly have no insight into the industry or any proof for your statement.
"Kinda looks like a blade, doesn't it?"...
There's only so much you can do with a constant box beam racket design in 98 sq in...

Using the same mold is not that uncommon. the factories actually off "open source" molds that you can select, use your specified layup, and paint job. Yes the are molds that are IP, but if there is an open source mold then companies will uses then to reduce costs. Each individual mold I was told, by a friend in the business, (who was actually a working as a development partner for a manufacturer & not one of the BIG ones), costs about $25k per mold, and this was about 15 years ago.

Also look at the number of Pure Aero clones out there, again all these are using an open source mold most likely with some small variation.

So for a start -up or a brand bringing out a new model, there is a bit more cost that what many people realize when you add in layout prototyping as well. The factories in China can now actually offer pretty much full R&D in terms of CFD, Molds, layup/carbon expertise, the whole lot as a package deal. This is not just for Tennis, but many other racquets sports as well.

 

[proracketeer]

The 16x19 is very open, isn't it?

 

[SFrazeur]

Does Tennis need another 98" 305g, 27" blade style racquet?

So tired of boring rectangular beam somewhat teardrop shape racquets. Get some personality.

 

[Spielgame]

Yeah, I was like, what kind of international brand doesn’t ship to the USA, like at all. What in the world?

Australia Post sent a notification to customers that they won't ship parcels from Australia to USA.

Australia Post will not send parcels to the US
because the service was temporarily suspended on August 26, 2025, due to new US tariffs that require all low-value imports to be taxed and have customs declarations, affecting most commercial and personal packages. Only letters and gifts valued under US$100 are accepted, and Australia Post is working to implement a solution for commercial goods before services resume.

 

[kevin qmto]

Here's my most recent match with the Stiga Arena. Hits so nice and plush despite the Poly Tour Rev strings being considered a 'firm' poly.

 

[thenewbig3]

Here's my most recent match with the Stiga Arena. Hits so nice and plush despite the Poly Tour Rev strings being considered a 'firm' poly.

You should start you own MATCH thread and put in all the matches you have put on TTW and add all future recorded matches there. Always good.

 

[kevin qmto]

You should start you own MATCH thread and put in all the matches you have put on TTW and add all future recorded matches there. Always good.

I’ve thought about it, but it kinda felt a bit self-important to me? Since there’s already a Share Your Match thread. Maybe if I was like a solid 5.0 player I could. But I’m no where near there yet.

It does make me happy it wouldn’t bother you, though.

 

[thenewbig3]

I’ve thought about it, but it kinda felt a bit self-important to me? Since there’s already a Share Your Match thread. Maybe if I was like a solid 5.0 player I could. But I’m no where near there yet.

It does make me happy it wouldn’t bother you, though.

5.0 is a tough level to get to and I would be surprised if any recreational players can get there climbing up.. going down is easier.

You are DEFINITELY better a large majority here especially with the active feet, banger forehand and great serve.

Yeah yeah I know everyones game needs work and is ugly somewhere and probably in many places but I digress.