Premier Padel will arrive in South Africa for the first time in 2026, with Pretoria set to stage a P2 tournament under a new multiyear partnership between Premier Padel and Primedia Sport. The Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour event will run from 26 July to 2 August 2026, bringing the world’s elite men’s and women’s players to one of Africa’s most iconic sporting cities.
A milestone for padel’s global growth
Padel continues to be the fastest growing sport worldwide, with South Africa already boasting more than 410,000 amateur players and over 1,400 courts. The Pretoria P2 tournament is expected to be a defining moment in the sport’s expansion across the continent.
David Serrahima Artiga, General Manager of Premier Padel, highlighted the importance of the event. “Pretoria provides an ideal stage for Premier Padel to take its next step into Africa. South Africa’s rapidly growing padel ecosystem, combined with a deep-rooted sporting culture, makes it a compelling destination for the tour’s expansion,” he said.
Luigi Carraro praises South Africa’s progress
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), expressed his satisfaction with the decision to bring Premier Padel to Pretoria.
“Hosting a Premier Padel tournament in Pretoria reflects the steady progress padel is making within the international sporting framework. South Africa has developed a solid base in terms of participation, infrastructure and governance, and this event helps connect that local growth with the global competitive pathway,” Carraro said. He added that the tournament underlines FIP’s commitment to supporting the structured, long-term development of padel across all regions.
South Africa’s biggest padel event
Tobie Badenhorst, Vice-President of Primedia Sport, emphasized the significance of the Pretoria P2.
“This is a defining moment for South African sport. Hosting our first-ever Premier Padel tournament brings the world’s leading professional players to our shores and firmly places South Africa on the global padel calendar. With a prize money pool of €260,000 (approximately R5.3 million), the Pretoria P2 will be the biggest padel tournament ever staged in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Badenhorst also noted that the event will showcase South Africa’s venues, sporting expertise, and culture to a global audience, while creating professional pathways for local players. “We’re proud to partner with Premier Padel, FIP and SAPA to help unlock the next chapter of padel’s growth in South Africa,” he commented.
A new chapter for padel in Africa
The Pretoria P2 tournament marks a significant step in padel’s journey to becoming a truly global sport. With strong backing from international and local organizations, the event is set to accelerate the sport’s development in South Africa and inspire a new generation of players and fans.
