Padel to feature at 2026 Asian Games and 2027 European Games

Padel appears to have taken further significant steps towards Olympic recognition with confirmation it will make its debut as a medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, and feature once again at the European Games in 2027.

The 20th Asian Games will be held from 19th September to 4th October 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while next year’s European Games will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from 16th-27th June.

The announcement of padel’s position as a medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games builds on the decision confirmed in November to include padel in the sports programme of Aichi-Nagoya 2026 following the recognition of the International Padel Federation (FIP) by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

FIP has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) and the OCA, establishing the framework for the organisation and delivery of the padel competition at the event.

Padel has experienced rapid growth across Asia in recent years, with expanding participation, new infrastructure and the creation of national federations across the continent.

“This is a significant moment for our sport,” said FIP president Luigi Carraro. “The Asian Games represent one of the most important multi-sport events in the world, and the confirmation of padel as a medal sport reflects both the rapid development of the sport across Asia and its growing global impact.”

The news that padel will appear as a medal sport at the 2027 European Games follows its debut at the previous edition of the event at Kraków, Poland in 2023.

The padel finals in Kraków were played on a court installed in the city’s historic Market Square, attracting around 20,000 spectators. The competition featured 23 participating countries and more than 100 players vying for medals in the men’s, women’s and mixed events.

Padel’s inclusion in the programme of the 2027 European Games was confirmed by the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the Organising Committee of the European Games Istanbul 2027.

Carraro said: “We are deeply proud of this new milestone. Padel at Istanbul 2027 is the confirmation of a journey that grows day after day and continues to find its place within the Olympic movement. This is an achievement that belongs to all of us.

“I would like to sincerely thank EOC president and IOC executive board member Spyros Capralos and his entire team. Since padel’s debut at the European Games 2023, they have believed in our vision and in the potential of our sport, which at that time thrilled athletes and spectators with a vibrant atmosphere in the square of Krakow. 

“A heartfelt thank you to the Turkish Organising Committee, the city of Istanbul, our Turkish Federation, and the national federations around the world, whose constant work makes this unstoppable growth possible.”

In 2026, padel will also feature in the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, as well as two other IOC-recognised and sanctioned events: the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, and the FISU World University Padel Championships in Málaga, Spain.

Not yet a PBM subscriber? Sign up here for exclusive weekly insights into the padel industry, delivered directly to your inbox

For more insight and discussion, follow us on LinkedIn and join the conversation