Padel Set for Medal Debut at 2026 South American Games

Padel made its first appearance as an exhibition sport at the 2022 Asunción Games. Since then, the International Padel Federation has pushed for inclusion in major continental multi‑sport events. The 2026 edition in Santa Fe will feature 43 sports and 60 disciplines across five venues, expecting about 5,000 athletes.

- The Games run from 12 to 26 September 2026 in Santa Fe province. - Padel competition will take place in Rafaela at the new Microestadio from 22 to 25 September. - Each of the 15 ODESUR member nations will enter one men’s pair and one women’s pair, totaling 30 pairs. - International Padel Federation President Luigi Carraro called the inclusion “a very important milestone for our entire movement.” - The sport joins the existing programme that already includes athletics, swimming, and basketball, among others.

Elevating padel to medal status signals its growing legitimacy on the continental stage. It aligns with the federation’s strategy to appear in the Asian Games 2026, European Games 2027, and other multi‑sport festivals. For athletes, the change offers a clear pathway to earn continental medals and gain ranking points that could influence future Olympic considerations. For spectators, it adds a fast‑paced, doubles‑focused racket sport to the medal tally.