Danish Padel Federation admitted to National Olympic Comittee. Carraro: “A historic moment”

A historic step for Danish padel and beyond. The Danish Padel Federation (DPF) will officially join the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF), with membership starting on January 1, 2026.

The historic admission was approved by a large majority during DIF’s annual budget meeting and marks a major milestone for Danish padel, which until now had been managed as an activity under the Danish Tennis Federation. Padel in Denmark will thus become an independent sport within the national sports system, a recognition that enhances the prestige of the sport on an international level.

“It is absolutely fantastic that we in the Danish Padel Federation will soon be able to call ourselves a DIF member — something we have wished for over many years — and that padel is now recognized as an independent sport”, said Frederik Bentler, Chair of the DPF. “This also gives us the right tools to continue the positive development of Danish padel. With the support of the National Olympic Committee, we will now increase our efforts to get more kids involved in the sport, working hard to educate more padel coaches across Denmark to support our clubs. We look forward to taking the next steps — together with the Danish Tennis Federation and with support from DIF — towards our ambition of making padel a sport for the people”.

FIP President Luigi Carraro, on hearing the news, commented: “The historic admission of the DPF into DIF – the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark – is a clear sign of the commitment and hard work of the Federation over the years. My sincere congratulations go to DPF President Frederik Bentler, and my warmest thanks to DIF President Hans Natorp for bringing padel into the Danish National Olympic Committee”.

Hans Natorp, President of DIF, also expressed his enthusiasm: “A big and warm welcome to the Danish Padel Federation. This admission marks both a milestone in Danish sports history and a recognition of the sport itself. I am truly pleased that the federation will now be part of the DIF community. Padel has, in a very short time, become a sport embraced by thousands of Danes, and I look forward to seeing how DIF can support the continued development of the sport while also being inspired by the innovation that the Danish Padel Federation brings”.