Kuwait has established itself as a prominent hub for the sport of padel by simultaneously hosting two major international tournaments this week: the Premier Padel Kuwait Major 2026 and the Asia-Africa qualifiers for the FIP World Cup. This marks an unprecedented achievement in the sport’s history, highlighting the country’s rising status in the global padel community.
Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), praised Kuwait’s exceptional organizational capabilities, describing the country as the world capital of padel during this period. He noted that no other nation has managed to stage two tournaments of such scale at the same time. Carraro commended the efforts of the tournament organizer BNK Group and emphasized the high standards of accommodation, venues, and hospitality, which have contributed to Kuwait’s favorable reputation among players and spectators alike. The Premier Padel Major, in particular, was highlighted as one of the best tournaments from the players’ perspective and ranks among the most-watched padel events globally.
The successful hosting of these events reflects Kuwait’s growing infrastructure and expertise in organizing high-profile international sporting competitions. Carraro noted that the progression from previously hosting smaller events, such as P1 tournaments and the inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs, to now managing a Premier Padel Major alongside World Cup qualifiers, underlines Kuwait’s sustained development in the sport. He also identified Kuwait, along with Qatar, as regional leaders in advancing padel, while acknowledging contributions from other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
From Kuwait’s side, Bader Al-Kharafi, Chairman of BNK Holding, expressed pride in the nation’s sporting achievements and the tournament’s evolution over four years—from amateur levels to hosting a Grand Slam-level event. Al-Kharafi highlighted the strong attendance at the finals and emphasized the importance of international sporting events in fostering positive engagement amid regional tensions. The tournament drew enthusiastic crowds, and the increased participation of Kuwaiti players was noted as a positive development for nurturing local talent.
The tournament concluded with notable victories in both the women’s and men’s finals. In the women’s final, Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea overturned an initial set deficit to defeat Ariana Sánchez and Andrea Ustero in three sets. Triay, celebrating the 59th title of her career, described the win as a pivotal moment for her partnership’s pursuit of the world No. 1 ranking. Brea also highlighted the pair’s technical and mental improvements over the week.
The men’s final saw Agustin Tapia and Arturo Coello deliver a commanding win over Juan Tello and Miguel Arce Simo. This victory secured Tapia and Coello’s position as world No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year. Both players credited their success to teamwork, resilience, and disciplined preparation, and praised the Kuwait tournament as a memorable highlight of their careers.
The events emphasize Kuwait’s ambition to be a leading international destination for padel and its commitment to expanding the sport domestically. FIP officials underscored the importance of continuing to host tournaments under the CUPRA FIP Tour and FIP Promises circuits to foster sustainable growth and develop emerging talents. The progress in Kuwait also supports broader objectives, including padel’s aspiration to join the Olympic Games, following its inclusion in the Asian Games program, an initiative partly facilitated through cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia headquartered in Kuwait.
With a strong foundation in infrastructure, organizational expertise, and growing local talent, Kuwait is expected to maintain and expand its influence in the international padel arena in the years ahead.