Padel at Asian Games 2026: Asia’s Fastest-Growing Racket Sport
Padel at the 2026 Asian Games
Padel joins the Asian Games programme for 2026 as one of the world’s fastest-growing racket sports. Invented in Mexico in 1969, padel is now played by over 25 million people globally. Its growth in Asia has been driven mainly by investment in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and among expatriate communities across Southeast Asia. The International Padel Federation counts 90 member nations, including most of Asia’s NOCs.
How Padel Differs from Tennis
Padel is played exclusively in doubles on an enclosed glass-and-metal court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. Players serve underhand. The ball can be played off the glass walls — making them a tactical part of the game, similar to squash. Scoring is identical to tennis (15–30–40, deuce, sets, matches) but the enclosed court, wall play, and shorter distances create longer, more physical rallies than tennis at similar skill levels.
Only doubles events are contested at major international competitions including the Asian Games. Singles padel exists informally but is not part of the FIP competitive structure.
Asia’s Leading Nations
The Arabian Peninsula is the strongest padel region in Asia for now. Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have invested in professional courts, coaching systems, and international-standard facilities. Japan has grown its padel scene rapidly since 2018, benefiting from its strong tennis infrastructure. South Korea has an emerging padel community centred on Seoul’s wealthier districts, where international-standard courts have opened since 2020.
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Asian Games debut | 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya) |
| Events | Men’s doubles, Women’s doubles, Mixed doubles |
| Court size | 20m × 10m (enclosed) |
| Governing body | International Padel Federation (FIP) |
| Scoring | Same as tennis |
| Strongest Asian regions | Arabian Peninsula, Japan |
Why Padel’s Inclusion Matters
Padel’s inclusion in the Asian Games 2026 reflects both its global growth and OCA’s push to include sports with wider commercial and participation appeal beyond traditional Asian game staples. For nations that lack significant tennis talent, padel offers a more accessible entry point — the smaller court, wall play, and doubles-only format require different skills that can be developed in a shorter training timeline.
Official source: Olympic Council of Asia
