From Kraków 2023 to Istanbul 2027: Padel confirmed as medal sport in the European Games programme. Carraro: “We are pleased and proud for everyone who loves our sport”

• After the outstanding success in Poland at the European Games 2023, Padel will also feature in the 2027 edition scheduled in Türkiye from 16 to 27 June
• European Olympic Committees (EOC) President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board Member Spyros Capralos: “A sport that inspires new generations of athletes and fans”
• Veli Ozan Çakır, President of the Organising Committee of the Games: “An extremely rewarding confirmation”

From Kraków to Istanbul, from the outstanding emotions experienced in Poland to those that will follow in Türkiye: Padel has been confirmed as a medal sport in the official programme of the European Games, scheduled from 16 to 27 June 2027. This represents another major event within the Olympic Movement and a fundamental step in the pathway towards the goal of Olympic participation. A highly prestigious milestone that complements the inclusion in the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan and the Mediterranean Games 2026 in Taranto, Italy.

 

 

The Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the Organising Committee of the European Games Istanbul 2027 have officially confirmed the inclusion of Padel in the programme of the major Olympic multi-sport event in Europe, underlining how the sport has become global and aligned with the principles of major continental events not only from a sporting perspective, but also in terms of inclusion, social interaction and the exchange of experiences between different countries. The 2027 edition will feature 26 sport disciplines and athletes from 49 countries.

 

The debut at the European Games in 2023 represented a key strategic milestone for Padel. In Kraków, with the finals played in the city center on a court installed in the historic Market Square, around 20,000 spectators attended the competition, which featured 23 participating countries and more than one hundred players competing for medals in the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed events. In Poland, Padel achieved “great success”, as stated by EOC officials, who described it as “top of the class”. This result led to its confirmation for the Istanbul 2027 edition.

 

CARRARO The President of the International Padel Federation, Luigi Carraro, said: “We are deeply proud of this new milestone. Padel at Istanbul 2027 is the confirmation of a journey that grows day after day and continues to find its place within the Olympic movement. This is an achievement that belongs to all of us. I would like to sincerely thank EOC President and IOC Executive Board Member Spyros Capralos and his entire team. Since Padel’s debut at the European Games 2023, they have believed in our vision and in the potential of our sport, which at that time thrilled athletes and spectators with a vibrant atmosphere in the square of Krakow. A heartfelt thank you to the Turkish Organising Committee, the city of Istanbul, our Turkish Federation, and the National Federations around the world, whose constant work makes this unstoppable growth possible.”

 

CAPRALOS “Following the successful debut of Padel at the European Games Kraków–Małopolska 2023, where the sport showcased its growing popularity across the continent, we are pleased to see it continue its journey within the European Olympic Movement”, said EOC President Spyros Capralos. “The inclusion of Padel in the official programme reflects our commitment to innovation and to embracing sports that inspire new generations of athletes and fans. We look forward to seeing Europe’s best players compete once again in this prestigious event”.

 

ÇAKIR “I’m thrilled that Padel has been included in the sports programme of the  European Games 2027”, said Veli Ozan Çakır, President of the Organising Committee of the European Games Istanbul 2027. “As one of the people who took the first steps to introduce and develop Padel in Türkiye, it is extremely rewarding to see this fast-growing sport take its place in one of the most prestigious competitions in the Olympic world, the European Games. With its easy-to-learn nature, social atmosphere and dynamic rallies played off the walls, Padel has rapidly gained popularity across Europe. I’m confident it will bring great energy to the Games, and I look forward to welcoming Europe’s top Padel players to Istanbul in 2027”.