Premier Padel has unveiled its most ambitious calendar yet for 2026, with 26 tournaments spanning 18 countries and introducing the sport to two significant new markets: London and Pretoria. The announcement signals padel's continued global expansion and its ambitions to establish itself as a truly worldwide sport.

Historic Expansion Into New Markets

The 2026 season marks padel's arrival in the United Kingdom and South Africa at the elite professional level. London will host a P1 tournament from August 3-9, while Pretoria welcomes a P2 event from July 27-August 2. These additions represent more than just new venues—they're strategic entries into markets with massive growth potential.

The UK has seen explosive grassroots padel growth over the past three years, with court construction accelerating in major cities. A Premier Padel tournament in London provides the sport with mainstream visibility it has lacked in the British market. Meanwhile, South Africa's strong racquet sports culture and sports-mad population make it an ideal proving ground for padel's African expansion.

New Venues for 2026

  • London, UK - P1 Tournament (August 3-9)
  • Pretoria, South Africa - P2 Tournament (July 27-August 2)
  • Valencia, Spain - P1 Tournament (June 8-14)

The Full 2026 Calendar

The season launches February 9 with the Riyadh Season P1, continuing Premier Padel's partnership with Saudi Arabia's sports transformation initiative. From there, the tour traverses the globe in a carefully orchestrated schedule designed to maximize player rest while maintaining competitive momentum.

The four Major tournaments—padel's equivalent to tennis Grand Slams—will be held in Doha (April 6-11), Rome (June 1-7), Paris (September 7-13), and Mexico (November 23-29). These flagship events offer maximum ranking points and prize money, typically attracting all the world's elite players.

Spain continues to dominate the calendar with multiple stops including Gijón (March 2-8), Valencia (June 8-14), and Madrid (August 31-September 6). This reflects both the sport's Spanish origins and the country's unmatched depth of professional talent.

Indoor Focus Continues

Nearly 75% of Premier Padel's 2026 events will be played indoors, a trend that's been accelerating over recent seasons. This shift addresses several strategic concerns: weather unpredictability, consistent playing conditions, and enhanced broadcast quality.

Indoor venues also allow for better fan experiences with climate control and improved amenities. As padel professionalizes, these details matter increasingly to both players and spectators. The indoor emphasis also makes northern European and winter tournaments more feasible, expanding the tour's geographical reach.

Innovation: The Star Point System

2026 introduces the "Star Point"—a scoring innovation designed to enhance viewer experience and player welfare. While full details remain under wraps, the system aims to reduce match length unpredictability while maintaining competitive integrity.

The initiative reflects Premier Padel's willingness to experiment with format to optimize the product for both live audiences and broadcast viewers. Traditional padel's open-ended match lengths can complicate scheduling and broadcasting, issues that become more pressing as the sport's media profile grows.

Prize Money and Player Welfare

While specific prize money figures for 2026 haven't been announced, expect continued upward trajectory. The 2025 season saw top players earning well over €400,000 from prize money alone, and sponsorship deals are becoming increasingly lucrative.

The calendar's structure shows increased attention to player welfare, with strategic breaks built in around major events. This acknowledges the physical toll of professional padel and aims to maintain competitive quality throughout the season.

Barcelona Finals Close the Season

The season culminates December 7-13 with the Premier Padel Finals in Barcelona, where the top eight men's and women's pairs compete for the year-end championship. The Palau Sant Jordi venue has become synonymous with padel's biggest moments, regularly drawing 15,000+ crowds.

Barcelona's embrace of padel as part of its sporting identity provides the tour with a guaranteed spectacular finale. The city's infrastructure, fan enthusiasm, and broadcast capabilities make it the natural choice for padel's signature end-of-season event.

What This Means for Padel's Future

The 2026 calendar represents Premier Padel's confidence in the sport's trajectory. Expanding to 26 tournaments across 18 countries requires significant financial backing, venue partnerships, and broadcast commitments. That this expansion is happening despite general economic uncertainty speaks to padel's growth momentum.

The London and Pretoria additions are particularly significant. If successful, they open doors for further expansion into English-speaking markets (Australia, Canada, USA) and Africa. Premier Padel is playing the long game, planting flags in strategic markets that could fuel the next decade of growth.

As February approaches and players begin their preparations, the 2026 season promises to be the most globally representative in padel's history. For fans, that means more opportunities to see elite padel live. For the sport, it's another step toward the mainstream recognition its advocates have long envisioned.