Carraro: “Best wishes to the entire Padel world. We bid farewell to an extraordinary, exciting and historic year, confident that 2026 will be incredibly exhilarating!”

Dear athletes, referees, coaches, presidents, officials, organizers, sponsors, amateur players and Padel fans all over the world,

As we come to the end of another intense and extraordinary year for worldwide Padel, I wish to address all of you, on behalf of myself and the entire International Padel Federation, to express my sincere gratitude and to extend my very best wishes for the end of the year and for a 2026 filled with new challenges, growth and shared success.

Padel is today a global sport because, first and foremost, it is a team sport. This founding principle is not limited to what happens on the court, but is reflected in daily work, cooperation and the shared vision of an entire worldwide community. A community made up of more than one hundred National Federations, athletes, sponsors, promoters, referees, and millions of amateur players who represent the most authentic and inclusive soul of our sport.

The year 2025 will mark FIP history as a year of new and decisive “firsts.” I must begin with the FIP World Cup Pairs, the World Championship for pairs, which introduced a revolutionary and truly global dimension, capable of combining innovation, spectacle and team spirit in a competitive vision projected into the future, with the world title awarded alongside valuable points for the world ranking. A historic step, embraced by athletes with excitement and great enthusiasm.

I must also highlight the FIP Euro Padel Cup and the FIP Asia Padel Cup, with their new and modern formats, born from extraordinary demand for participation. Highly successful events that confirm how Padel grows when all its components grow together.

Along this path of development, the professional system has continued to represent a point of reference and inspiration. Premier Padel is the “stellar system” that embodies the highest expression of our sport, offering a global stage to the world’s best athletes and confirming itself as the home of dreams for tens of millions of fans. Sold-out stadiums in iconic international locations, combined with memorable sporting achievements, reflect an efficient, modern and meticulously organized structure that proved its excellence in 2025 and will continue to do so in 2026.

Alongside it, the CUPRA FIP Tour is a spectacular professional circuit capable of bringing Padel to all five continents and acting as a true ambassador of our sport, creating a concrete bridge between the grassroots, the NextGen, experienced players and the world elite, in a virtuous symbiosis of talent that enhances established athletes while pushing young players toward their dreams.

A particularly attentive focus is reserved for young players: they represent the future of Padel and our greatest responsibility. Investing in new generations means investing in values, sustainability and continuity. This is why FIP has created the new FIP Promises format, a circuit that is increasingly central to the Federation’s global development strategy.

The year 2026 will open with historic milestones and exciting new challenges. Two extraordinary pages in our sporting history: for the first time, Padel will be included in the program of the Asian Games and the Mediterranean Games, major continental multi-sport events recognized by the Olympic movement, confirming the growing attention of the world’s leading geopolitical sporting areas toward Padel. Participation in these events further strengthens the solidity of our path toward Olympic ambition.

Among the many responsibilities that FIP holds toward Padel is undoubtedly that of safeguarding tradition while projecting it into the future. In keeping with this principle, rooted in solid foundations and innovative vision, the Star Point has been introduced into the global competitive structure, a scoring system designed to provide greater spectacle and suspense for audiences and a more exciting playing experience for athletes.

In the new year, the Hexagon World Series will also make its debut, a new global format that will place the concept of team competition at the center of the international stage, strengthening Padel’s collective identity and confirming its innovative and revolutionary nature.

But 2026 will not be only the year of elite competitions. FIP wants every player, in every corner of the world, to experience the excitement and opportunities of an unprecedented global connection. This is the vision behind FIP Beyond, a circuit dedicated to amateurs that will offer the chance to live the same emotions and sensations as professional players.

I would now like to personally thank those who make all of this possible.

To the athletes, my deepest thanks for your ability to ignite talent and radiate it across the world, becoming a source of inspiration for millions of people. The dedication and passion you show in every rally and every match are the emotional and technical engine of world Padel.

To the National Federations, thank you for your daily commitment to developing Padel in your respective countries. The numbers speak for themselves: the growth we are experiencing remains extraordinary and unprecedented in speed and scale, the result of teamwork, sharing, friendship, enthusiasm and a vision genuinely oriented toward the future.

To the referees, my recognition for often silent yet crucial work, ensuring fairness, respect for the rules and credibility in competitions.

To coaches, selectors and technical staff worldwide, thank you for your tireless behind-the-scenes work, carried out with discretion and expertise, training athletes and transmitting values that go beyond technique. Your voices reach all of us through the achievements of your champions.

To tournament organizers, promoters and all industry professionals, thank you for the vision and passion with which you transform Padel into an unforgettable sporting spectacle for athletes and spectators alike.

To the companies and sponsors who invest in Padel, I extend my most sincere thanks. Your trust and support, experienced as active participation in this great sporting journey, represent one of the pillars of our global growth.

And finally, to all Padel lovers, tens of millions around the world, you are the beating heart of this extraordinary community. Your energy, enthusiasm and love make Padel a truly unique discipline. Beyond institutional roles, I remain first and foremost one of you: happy to step onto the court, listen to the sound of the ball against the glass, and share the joy of being together. Keep playing with enthusiasm and friendship, and with that smile that only those who leave a Padel court truly know.

With pride in what we have built together and great excitement for what lies ahead, I wish you and your families a peaceful end of the year and a 2026 filled with health, happiness and success, on and off the court.

With affection and gratitude,

Luigi Carraro
President