The Olympic Council of Asia has confirmed that padel will be part of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 programme. The decision was finalized during a meeting in Kuwait between leaders of the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the continental body, coinciding with the inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs championship. Luigi Carraro, president of the FIP, announced the news at the OCA headquarters.
Reasons behind the decision
OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam explained the motivation for adding padel to the Games. “Padel has shown extraordinary growth and energy across the continent, inspiring a new generation of athletes and fans. Its inclusion in the Asian Games reflects our commitment to promoting emerging sports that bring people together and embody the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence,” he said.
Path toward Olympic recognition
The adoption of padel as an official sport at the Asian Games is seen as a crucial step toward global recognition and a potential bid for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. The sport, which originated in Mexico and gained popularity in Spain, has experienced rapid expansion since 2020.
Growth in Asia and beyond
Significant investment has been made in padel infrastructure across the Middle East, with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia leading the way in building courts and hosting tournaments. Since 2022, the United States has also seen a surge in interest, supported by private investment and the involvement of high-profile figures such as LeBron James and Daddy Yankee in club ownership.
Support from leaders
Carraro emphasized the federation’s commitment to global development. “The FIP will continue to work tirelessly for the nearly 100 national federations we represent, with the aim of developing this sport around the world,” he said. Tariq Zainal, president of Padel Asia, also highlighted the importance of the decision. “The inclusion of padel in the Asian Games will provide an incredible stage for our athletes to showcase their talent at one of the world’s most important sporting events,” he noted.
Expanding global presence
Padel has already taken steps toward Olympic recognition, having been included in the 2023 European Games in Kraków and accepted into the International University Sports Federation programme. With nearly 100 national federations now affiliated with the FIP, the sport is building momentum for a future Olympic bid.
A global phenomenon
According to FIP data, the number of padel courts worldwide has grown from around 20,000 to over 50,000 in the past five years, while player numbers now exceed 30 million. The rise has been fueled by technology, advanced statistics, and real-time tracking systems, as well as the launch of the Premier Padel circuit in 2022, supported by Qatar Sports Investments.
Toward a unified professional circuit
The sport has also overcome confusion caused by the coexistence of the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel, moving toward a unified professional structure. Improved television production, international broadcasting agreements, and coverage in more than 180 countries have helped elevate padel to the brink of joining the Olympic movement, following in the footsteps of squash, which will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
