Padel will be included in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 schedule, according to the Olympic Council of Asia. The International Padel Federation (FIP) and the continental organization met in Kuwait during the first-ever FIP World Cup Pairs event to formalize the decision. The announcement was made at the OCA headquarters by Luigi Carraro, president of the FIP.
Justifications for the choice
Husain Al Musallam, Director General of OCA, gave an explanation of why padel was included in the Games. “Padel has inspired a new generation of athletes and spectators with its remarkable growth and energy throughout the continent. Our dedication to supporting new sports that unite people and exemplify the Olympic ideals of friendliness, respect, and excellence is demonstrated by its inclusion in the Asian Games,” he said.
The road to Olympic recognition
A major step toward international recognition and a possible candidacy for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane is the acceptance of padel as an official sport at the Asian Games. Since 2020, the sport, which has its roots in Mexico and acquired popularity in Spain, has rapidly expanded.
Development in Asia and elsewhere
The Middle East has seen significant investment in padel infrastructure, with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates setting the standard for court construction and tournament hosting. Interest has also increased in the US since 2022, helped along by private funding and the ownership of clubs by well-known individuals like Daddy Yankee and LeBron James.
Assistance from leaders
Carraro underlined the federation’s dedication to international advancement. “With the goal of advancing this sport globally, the FIP will keep up its tireless efforts on behalf of the nearly 100 national federations we represent,” he stated. The significance of the ruling was also emphasized by Tariq Zainal, head of Padel Asia. “Our athletes will have an amazing opportunity to display their skills at one of the most significant athletic events in the world thanks to the inclusion of padel in the Asian Games,” he said.
Increasing worldwide visibility
With its inclusion in the 2023 European Games in Krakow and its acceptance into the International University Sports Federation program, padel has already taken a step toward Olympic recognition. Now that almost 100 national federations have joined the FIP, the sport is gaining traction in preparation for a potential Olympic bid.
A worldwide occurrence
Padel courts have increased from about 20,000 to over 50,000 in the last five years, according to FIP data, and there are currently over 30 million players globally. Technology, sophisticated analytics, real-time tracking systems, and the 2022 opening of the Premier Padel circuit—which was funded by Qatar Sports Investments—have all contributed to the growth.
In the direction of a single professional circuit
Additionally, the sport has moved toward a single professional organization after overcoming confusion brought on by the cohabitation of the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel. Padel is now on the verge of becoming an Olympic sport, following in the footsteps of squash, which will make its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, thanks to improved television production, worldwide distribution agreements, and coverage in more than 180 countries.
