FIP General Assembly strengthens global unity as membership reaches 115 federations

• FIP member federations reaffirm their unity and shared commitment to shaping padel’s future.
• FIP marks its 35th anniversary with a symbolic constitution signed by representatives from its founding federations.
• Alejandro Blanco: “I cannot imagine the Olympic movement’s future without padel.”
• 15 new national federations join FIP, bringing its membership to 115.
• Preview the World Padel Report 2026 ahead of Wednesday’s publication.
• New strategic initiatives launched: FIP World League and Para Padel.

MADRID – The International Padel Federation (FIP) brought its member federations together at the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) in Madrid for its 36th General Assembly on 12 October 2026. Held 35 years after the Federation was founded in the Spanish capital, the Assembly reaffirmed the members’ shared commitment to the global development of Padel and welcomed 15 new national federations, bringing FIP’s membership to 115.

 

The Assembly provided an opportunity to review progress, strengthen cooperation and discuss priorities for expanding participation and competition. Delegates reaffirmed their support for FIP’s leadership and the collective work to advance Padel’s Olympic ambitions.

 

The gathering also marked FIP’s 35th anniversary with the signing of a symbolic constitution by its founding federations—Spain, Argentina and Uruguay—alongside Mexico, the birthplace of padel, and FIP President Luigi Carraro. The ceremony honoured the federation’s origins while expressing the unity and shared responsibility guiding its future.

 

From three founding federations to a community of 115 members, FIP’s development reflects Padel’s expansion across all five continents and the contribution of successive generations to the sport’s growth.

 

Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation, said:

 

“This Assembly reflects a global padel community united by a shared vision and a spirit of cooperation. Our 15 new member federations will bring fresh perspectives to that collective effort, while the FIP World League will open more opportunities for national teams to compete and our work on adaptive padel will make the sport more accessible. Each federation has a part to play in this progress, and by supporting one another we can ensure that padel’s growth benefits the whole community as we pursue our shared Olympic ambitions.”

 

The 15 new member federations represent Afghanistan, Angola, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Colombia, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uzbekistan and Zambia. Their affiliation further broadens FIP’s global representation and strengthens cooperation between established and emerging Padel nations.

 

Delegates reviewed the continued expansion of FIP’s competition structure, from junior and amateur participation to elite professional padel. The CUPRA FIP Tour now spans 60 host countries, while FIP Promises reaches 36 countries and has introduced four continental tours to support young talent. At the top of the professional structure, the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour continues to attract growing audiences, with 81,000 spectators attending the 2026 Paris Major at Roland-Garros. Together with the FIP Beyond amateur tour, these circuits are broadening access to international competition at different stages of a player’s development.

 

The gathering also highlighted Padel’s growing contribution to the Olympic movement through its participation in the major Olympic continental events, including the 2023 European Games and the 2026 South American, Mediterranean and Asian Games. These competitions have created opportunities for athletes to represent their countries and introduced the sport to new audiences.

 

Alejandro Blanco, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, said:

 

“As the Olympic movement looks to the future, participation, international reach and a sport’s impact on society will be essential. Padel has a compelling case on all three fronts, and under the leadership of my great friend Luigi Carraro and his team, I believe the best is still to come. I have said this for a long time: padel has an important role to play in the future of sport, and I cannot imagine the Olympic movement’s future without it.”

 

The Assembly’s agenda included the Board of Directors’ annual and financial reports and proposed amendments to FIP statutes and sporting regulations, supporting the continued development of the federation’s governance and sporting structures.

 

Expanding opportunities to play and compete was another focus. FIP identified the development of adaptive Padel as a priority, reaffirming its commitment to making the sport more accessible and inclusive.

 

At national-team level, FIP outlined the FIP World League, a new initiative offering teams not participating in the FIP World Cup further opportunities to compete internationally. Further details will be announced in due course.

 

Delegates also received a preview of the World Padel Report 2026, which examines the sport’s global development and, for the first time, includes an economic impact analysis conducted with OpenEconomics. The full report will be published on the FIP website on Wednesday, 14 October, revealing new insights into the scale of Padel’s contribution to economies and communities worldwide.