South Africa is gearing up to host one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, with the Premier Padel Pretoria P1 tournament set to debut from 26 July to 2 August 2026 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
The event marks the first time the global Premier Padel Tour will be hosted on South African soil, bringing the world’s top men’s and women’s players to the country.
Ahead of the tournament, organisers gathered media at Primedia Place in Sandton to unveil what fans can expect from the inaugural event. While elite competition remains the main attraction, the tournament also highlights the growing commercial value of padel and the collaborative ecosystem driving its expansion.
More Than a Tournament
Premier Padel Pretoria P1 is more than just another event on the global sports calendar. It shines a spotlight on South Africa as a top destination for world-class competitions and brings local fans the thrill of experiencing one of the fastest-growing sports firsthand.
Primedia Sport Vice President Tobie Badenhorst says the idea of bringing the Premier Padel event to South Africa first came about on LinkedIn.
“As Primedia Sport, we have signed a 3-year Promoter licensing agreement to stage the event on South African soil from 2026 to 2028. It really started on LinkedIn by inviting them over to South Africa to come and meet us here, and to see all the great sporting facilities on offer. They were pleasantly surprised by everything we’ve got over here, and given the growth of the sport in the country, it was kind of a no-brainer for them to add South Africa as the only stopover in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa to now stage this event.
The event also showcases Primedia Sport’s drive to introduce more international sporting events to South Africa.
Speaking at the launch, he described the tournament as the culmination of an 18-month journey and emphasised its role in showcasing both the world’s best players and South African talent. He also encouraged fans to support the country’s athletes competing on home soil.
“This tournament will be the biggest padel tournament on the African continent that forms part of a global series of events consisting of 28 stopovers across the world.”
Meet Moya: Premier Padel’s New Mascot
The Pretoria P1 launch also introduced Moya, the official mascot for the tournament, adding a distinctive South African identity to the event.
Named after the isiZulu and isiXhosa word for “spirit,” “soul,” or “wind,” Moya represents the energy, passion, and unity that Premier Padel hopes to inspire throughout the tournament.
More than just a mascot, Moya has been designed to engage fans of all ages, creating memorable experiences both on and off the court. From interacting with spectators to appearing across digital content and event activations, the character will play a key role in bringing the Premier Padel brand to life throughout the competition.
Premier Padel Pretoria P1 provides sponsors with the opportunity to connect with an affluent, active and digitally engaged audience.
As padel continues to grow worldwide, brands are increasingly using the sport to position themselves around innovation, wellness and premium lifestyle experiences.
For partners such as Qatar Airways, Primedia Sport, and the International Padel Federation (FIP), the tournament showcases how strategic collaborations can accelerate the growth of emerging sports while creating meaningful fan experiences.
A Branding Opportunity for South Africa
Premier Padel Pretoria P1 is about far more than introducing another sporting event to South Africa.
It demonstrates how international sport can drive tourism, elevate destination branding, create new commercial partnerships and expose local audiences to emerging global trends.
Pretoria has the chance to showcase itself as more than just the host city, becoming an integral part of the tournament’s story.
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