Kuwait Strengthens Its Position as Regional Padel Capital with 'Premier Padel' Upgrade and World Cup Qualifiers Launch - Sarmad
Kuwait strengthens its position as a regional padel capital by upgrading a major tournament and hosting the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Translated by Qiyas from سرمد — Original source
Sports participation is no longer just a social passion, especially after Kuwait has solidified its position on the international professional map, rapidly transforming into one of the sport’s main strongholds and emerging regional capitals in the Middle East.
Kuwait currently stands out as one of the most important regional capitals for the sport, supported by world-class infrastructure, unprecedented public enthusiasm, and official recognition from the highest international sports bodies.
Kuwait has cemented its status on the international professional scene, particularly after the International Padel Federation announced the promotion of the “Kuwait Padel Premier” tournament from the (P1) category to a “Major” category, the highest classification in the world. This marks an acknowledgment of Kuwait’s standing and its capacity to host high-level international competitions, while giving fans the opportunity to closely follow the game’s top stars.
The current edition of the tournament, which has gained exceptional importance following its promotion, is being held at the “Arena Mall 360” and the “Rafa Nadal Academy” from October 26 to 31, featuring 240 male and female players from the world’s elite, as part of the “Kuwait Youth and Sports Season” project.
Additionally, Kuwait hosted the Asian and African qualifying competitions for the 2026 Padel World Cup from October 26 to 30, with 27 national teams participating (14 men’s and 13 women’s teams), to determine the qualifiers for the finals scheduled in the Qatari capital, Doha, from November 2 to 7, 2026.
On the technical and competitive level, the Kuwaiti national teams (men’s and women’s) are witnessing notable qualitative leaps. The “Padel Blues” continue to compete strongly at regional and continental levels, driven by increased interaction with global schools and the establishment of specialized training academies to develop youth and local talent.
The international ranking of padel players is based on the results they achieve in approved tournaments. The points awarded to a player vary according to the tournament category and the stage reached, allowing for the comparison of player levels and the tracking of their performance development throughout the season.
Padel, which combines several technical characteristics of tennis and squash, is one of the fastest-growing and most widely played sports in recent years. It has succeeded in attracting participants and fans due to its competitive nature, which blends technical skill, speed, physical fitness, and teamwork.
Professional padel matches are primarily played in doubles format; each team consists of two players who cooperate to cover the court and alternate between offensive and defensive roles. Victory depends on scoring points by making the ball land within the opponent’s court in a manner that prevents them from returning it legally.
The game is played using special paddles and a ball similar to a tennis ball, inside a court surrounded by glass walls and metal nets that allow the ball to rebound and continue the rally after hitting the walls, in accordance with approved rules. This adds a tactical dimension, making the game reliant on quick decision-making and coordination among players.
Padel matches are played on a rectangular court divided by a net, surrounded by glass walls and sections of metal nets. The court includes service lines and specific areas for executing shots, while the walls allow the rally to continue after the ball rebounds off them in legal situations. This grants players additional defensive and offensive opportunities, making the ability to read the ball’s trajectory and anticipate its rebounds fundamental elements of technical performance.
The sport is overseen by the International Padel Federation, which is responsible for establishing the official rules, organizing international competitions, managing global rankings, and coordinating professional, continental, and world championships.
Padel in Kuwait is advancing steadily as the dream of including the sport in the Summer Olympic Games draws closer, particularly since the state’s early investments will position it among the leading countries prepared to compete for dominance in the sport.
