Padel Earns Medal Status at 2026 South American Games in Argentina

Padel originated in Mexico in 1969 and has spread to over 50 countries worldwide. The sport first appeared as an exhibition at the 2022 Asunción South American Games, where it drew positive feedback from players and organizers. Since then, the International Padel Federation has pursued inclusion in other continental multi‑sport events, securing spots in the upcoming Asian Games and European Games. The 2026 South American Games will take place in Santa Fe province, with venues spread across five cities.

Luigi Carraro, president of the International Padel Federation, said the inclusion represents “a very important milestone for our entire movement.” The padel tournament will feature one men’s pair and one women’s pair from each of the 15 participating National Olympic Committees. Across all sports, the Games expect roughly 5,000 athletes, making padel a modest but notable portion of the total athlete count. Padel will be contested alongside 43 other sports and 60 disciplines, with medals awarded in both men’s and women’s doubles.

Medal status gives padel official recognition within the Olympic‑style framework of the South American Games. Athletes now have a clear qualification path that can attract sponsorship and funding from national Olympic committees. The event will serve as a test bed for organizing padel at large multi‑sport venues, informing future bids for the Asian Games 2026 and European Games 2027. Observers will be able to compare performance levels across regions, helping the International Padel Federation refine its development programs.

How padel’s medal results influence its candidacy for future Olympic programs will be a key indicator. Whether the 15‑nation field grows in the next continental edition will signal the sport’s expanding reach.