Padel took one step closer to Olympic status with this week’s news that it has been included on the programme of next year’s European Games in Türkiye.
Following its successful European Games debut in Krakow in 2023, padel will once again feature as a medal sport in Istanbul, scheduled from 16-27 June 2027.
Coming on the back of recent news of padel’s inclusion in the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, this October, these are clear signs of padel’s drive to become an Olympic sport gaining momentum.
To explain the significance of the European and Asian Games within the Olympic movement, we need only look at fellow racket sport squash, which is making its own Olympic debut at LA 2028.
The five Continental Games (Asian, European, African, Pacific and Pan-American) are part of squash’s Olympic qualification system. Winners of the men’s and women’s gold medals at the respective Continental Games over the next couple of years will guarantee their places in the draw at the 2028 Olympics.
Padel’s inclusion in two of the five Continental Games can therefore be viewed as particularly significant in its quest for Olympic status. Its next opportunity is at Brisbane 2032 and the sporting programme for those Games is due to be announced this year, possibly as early as June.
The 2027 European Games will feature 26 sport disciplines and athletes from 49 countries.
Padel’s debut at the European Games in 2023 represented a key strategic milestone for padel. In Kraków, the finals were played on a court installed in the historic Market Square. Around 20,000 spectators attended and 23 countries took part, with over 100 players competing for medals in the men’s, women’s and mixed events.
European Olympic Committee (EOC) officials described padel’s debut as a “great success”, and “top of the class.” This undoubtedly led to its confirmation for the Istanbul 2027 edition.
President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), Luigi Carraro, said: “We are deeply proud of this new milestone. Padel at Istanbul 2027 is the confirmation of a journey that grows day after day and continues to find its place within the Olympic movement.
“This is an achievement that belongs to all of us. I would like to sincerely thank EOC President and IOC Executive Board Member Spyros Capralos and his entire team. Since padel’s debut at the European Games 2023, they have believed in our vision and in the potential of our sport, which at that time thrilled athletes and spectators with a vibrant atmosphere in the square of Krakow.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Turkish Organising Committee, the city of Istanbul, our Turkish Federation, and the National Federations around the world, whose constant work makes this unstoppable growth possible.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board Member Spyros Capralos added: “Following the successful debut of padel at the European Games Kraków–Małopolska 2023, where the sport showcased its growing popularity across the continent, we are pleased to see it continue its journey within the European Olympic Movement.
“The inclusion of padel in the official programme reflects our commitment to innovation and to embracing sports that inspire new generations of athletes and fans. We look forward to seeing Europe’s best players compete once again in this prestigious event”.
Veli Ozan Çakır, President of the Organising Committee of the European Games, said: “As one of the people who took the first steps to introduce and develop padel in Türkiye, it is extremely rewarding to see this fast-growing sport take its place in one of the most prestigious competitions in the Olympic world, the European Games.
“With its easy-to-learn nature, social atmosphere and dynamic rallies played off the walls, padel has rapidly gained popularity across Europe. I’m confident it will bring great energy to the Games, and I look forward to welcoming Europe’s top Padel players to Istanbul in 2027.”
