Premier Padel will make its debut in South Africa in 2026, and as part of a new multiyear agreement with Primedia Sport, a P2 tournament is scheduled to take place in Pretoria. The world’s top men’s and women’s players will travel to one of Africa’s most famous athletic cities for the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour event, which will take place from July 26 to August 2, 2026.
An important turning point in the global expansion of padel
With more than 410,000 amateur players and more than 1,400 courts, padel is still the sport with the fastest rate of growth in the world. It is anticipated that the Pretoria P2 event will mark a turning point in the sport’s growth throughout the continent.
Premier Padel’s general manager, David Serrahima Artiga, emphasized the significance of the occasion. “Pretoria offers Premier Padel the perfect platform to advance into Africa. South Africa is an attractive location for the tour’s development because of its burgeoning padel ecology and rich athletic heritage, he added.
Luigi Carraro commends South Africa’s advancements
The International Padel Federation (FIP) President, Luigi Carraro, said he was happy that Premier Padel will be visiting Pretoria.
Pretoria’s hosting of a Premier Padel event is indicative of the sport’s consistent advancement in the global athletic arena. According to Carraro, “South Africa has established a strong foundation in terms of governance, infrastructure, and participation, and this event helps connect that local growth with the global competitive pathway.” The competition, he continued, demonstrates FIP’s dedication to fostering the organized, sustained growth of padel throughout all regions.
The largest padel event in South Africa
Vice-President of Primedia Sport Tobie Badenhorst highlighted the importance of the Pretoria P2.
“South African sport is at a turning point. The world’s top professional padel players visit our country as we host our inaugural Premier Padel competition, solidifying South Africa’s place on the international padel calendar. The Pretoria P2 will be the largest padel competition ever held in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a prize money pool of €260,000 (about R5.3 million), he claimed.
Badenhorst added that the competition will provide professional opportunities for local athletes while showcasing South Africa’s venues, sporting prowess, and culture to a worldwide audience. He said, “We’re proud to work with Premier Padel, FIP, and SAPA to help unlock the next chapter of padel’s growth in South Africa.”
Padel’s new chapter in Africa
An important milestone in padel’s development into a genuinely international sport is the Pretoria P2 competition. The tournament is expected to spur a new generation of players and spectators and drive the growth of the sport in South Africa with the support of both local and international organizations.