Padel Power: Tennis-Squash Hybrid Added As Medal Sport At 2026 Asian Games

Last Updated:March 10, 2026, 20:10 IST

Padel will debut as a medal event at the Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

Padel has reached a major milestone in its global rise, with the sport officially added as a medal event at the Asian Games later this year in Japan.

The Games, scheduled for Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture from September 19 to October 4, will now feature the fast-growing racquet sport as part of the competition programme.

A Rapidly Growing Sport

Often described as a hybrid between tennis and squash, padel is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court where players can use surrounding walls as part of play.

The sport has exploded in popularity across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in recent years, drawing high-profile fans from the sporting world, including Carlos Alcaraz, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Max Verstappen.

“A Significant Moment" for the Sport

Luigi Carraro, president of the International Padel Federation, described the decision as a landmark step for the sport.

“This is a significant moment for our sport," Carraro said.

“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."

One of the World’s Biggest Sporting Events

Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, the Asian Games take place every four years and rank among the largest sporting events globally.

The delayed 2023 edition in China featured around 12,000 athletes, even surpassing the number of competitors at the Olympic Games.

Another New Sport on the Programme

Padel will not be the only new addition.

The Olympic Council of Asia also confirmed that Teqball — a sport combining elements of football and table tennis — will also feature as a medal event at the Games.

With new sports joining the programme and participation numbers continuing to rise, the Asian Games are set to offer one of the most diverse sporting line-ups in the event’s history.

(with AFP inputs)

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