Mediterranean Games: Taranto 2026 will also feature padel

The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games and the International Padel Federation are delighted to announce the official inclusion of Padel in the program of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games, which will be held in Taranto from August 21 to September 3, 2026. Padel has established itself as one of the most popular sports in the Mediterranean countries, attracting players of all ages and genders. In the 26 participating countries, there are over 32 thousand padel courts and more than 9.5 million active players. It is significant to note that almost 50% of the world's padel clubs and courts are located in these countries and that 51% of the athletes in the FIP world ranking come from Mediterranean nations.

Each nation will be able to register a maximum of two male pairs, two female pairs and one mixed pair. The tournament will last between 5 and 7 days, with the final schedule to be announced soon. The event will feature the best athletes from the Mediterranean. Davide Tizzano, ICMG President, expressed his enthusiasm for the inclusion of Padel, stating: "Padel reflects the fundamental principles and emotions of the Mediterranean: it is a sport that embodies passion, dedication, fair play and innovation. We are thrilled to welcome this extraordinary sport into our Mediterranean family and to celebrate together the 20th edition of our Games, with the participation of the best Padel athletes from our region".

Luigi Carraro, Fip President, said: "We are honored and excited by the recognition by ICMG, which I warmly thank on behalf of the entire Padel community. After our participation in the 2023 European Games, this inclusion represents another important milestone for our sport in a major event. We share fundamental values: inclusion, socialization, fair play, cultural exchange and a strong commitment to future generations".