Padel World Championship

The FIP World Padel Championships, commonly referred to as the Padel World Championship, is the premier biennial international team competition in the sport of padel, organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP), the global governing body for the game.^[1] Held every two years since its inception, the event features 16 national teams in both the men's and women's categories, with teams qualifying through continental tournaments and competing in a format that includes group stages—typically four groups of four teams each—followed by knockout rounds leading to the finals. Each team consists of eight players, and team ties are played in a best-of-three format consisting of doubles matches on enclosed padel courts measuring 20 meters by 10 meters.^[1] The championship traces its origins to the founding of the FIP on July 12, 1991, in Madrid, Spain, by the national padel associations of Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, with the organization deciding shortly thereafter to establish the World Championships as a flagship event to promote the sport globally.^[2] The inaugural edition took place in 1992 across Madrid and Seville, Spain, marking the first major international showcase for padel, a racket sport blending elements of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico in the 1960s and gained widespread popularity in Spain and Argentina.^[2] Since then, the tournament has grown in scale and prestige, attracting participants from 87 member nations of the FIP as of 2025 and serving as a key driver for the sport's expansion, including its recent inclusion in multi-sport events like the 2023 European Games.^[3] Throughout its history, the championships have been dominated by Spain and Argentina, the two powerhouses of padel, who together account for the vast majority of titles in both categories.^[4] In the men's competition, Argentina has secured gold 12 times, including the most recent victory in 2024, while Spain has claimed four titles; on the women's side, Spain holds a commanding lead with nine wins, including six consecutive from 2014 to 2024.^[4] The 2024 edition, hosted in Doha, Qatar, from October 28 to November 2 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, distributed a record €500,000 prize pool equally between genders and drew teams from 19 countries, underscoring the event's role in elevating padel's status as one of the world's fastest-growing racket sports.^[5] The most recent pairs event, the 2025 FIP World Cup Pairs held in Kuwait, was won by the Spanish women's pair Ariana Sánchez and Paula Josemaría and the Argentine men's pair Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto.^[6]

Overview and History

Inception and Early Development

The International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded on July 12, 1991, in Madrid, Spain, by the national padel associations of Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, with the aim of governing and promoting the sport globally.^[2] Upon its establishment, the FIP decided to organize biennial World Padel Championships to foster international competition and standardize the game.^[2] The inaugural edition of the Padel World Championship took place in 1992, hosted across Madrid and Seville, Spain, marking the first official international tournament for national teams.^[2] Participation was limited to eight countries—Argentina, Spain, France, England, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay—reflecting the sport's early concentration in Europe and Latin America.^[7] From the outset, the event featured separate competitions for men's and women's national teams, with Argentina securing gold in the men's category by defeating Spain in the final, while Argentina also claimed the women's title.^[4] The pairs championships were introduced in 1992 as part of the inaugural event, with Argentina winning the first men's pairs title (Alejandro Lasaigues and Roberto Gattiker) and the women's pairs title (Cecilia Baccigalupo and Virginia Mazzuchi).^[4] Argentina continued to dominate the men's national teams category throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, winning gold in 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2002, though Spain interrupted with a victory in 1998.^[4] In the women's category, Argentina held strong initially with titles in 1992, 1994, and 1996, before Spain claimed its first gold in 1998.^[4] In the late 1990s, the championships evolved from predominantly amateur events to incorporating semi-professional structures, driven by growing participation and the need for consistency. The FIP played a key role in this transition by unifying and standardizing rules in 1997, including fixed court dimensions of 20 meters by 10 meters and specifications for equipment like rackets and balls, which helped elevate the sport's competitive integrity.^[8]

Growth and Organizational Changes

The Padel World Championship has experienced substantial growth in global participation since the early 2000s, expanding from 10 countries in the 2000 edition hosted in France to 32 national teams (16 per category) from 19 countries in the 2024 edition.^[7][9] This surge aligns with padel's broader international expansion, fueled by the International Padel Federation's (FIP) advocacy for Olympic inclusion, which has boosted affiliations to nearly 100 national federations as of 2025 and the sport's presence in over 140 countries.^[10] In November 2025, the FIP was officially recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia, paving the way for padel's debut at the 2026 Asian Games. Early successes, such as Argentina's dominant streak in the inaugural editions, established foundational rivalries that have intensified with the influx of new competitors from Asia, Africa, and Oceania.^[4] Organizational evolution included the introduction of professional elements, with prize money for national teams debuting in later editions and reaching €500,000 total in 2024, alongside qualification pathways linked to the Premier Padel circuit's rankings for player selection.^[11][12] A notable disruption occurred in 2018, when the Paraguay-hosted event faced severe logistical failures—including inadequate facilities, technical issues, and health concerns—resulting in unplayed finals and subsequent FIP sanctions on participating federations, which prompted stricter reforms to hosting bid evaluations and event oversight.^[13][14][15] In 2025, the FIP launched the World Cup Pairs as a distinct professional event in Kuwait, separate from the biennial national teams championship, featuring direct entries for top-ranked pairs via Premier Padel results and a prize purse exceeding 1 million euros. The inaugural edition was won by Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto in the men's category and Ari Sánchez and Paula Josemaría in the women's category.^[16][17] Recent developments emphasize inclusivity, with each national team limited to 8 players per squad in both men's and women's categories to ensure gender parity, while the 2024 Doha edition drew record-breaking crowds, highlighting the championship's rising appeal.^[18][19]

Competition Format

National Teams Events

The national teams events of the Padel World Championship constitute the team-based competition segment, held biennially by the International Padel Federation (FIP) for men's and women's divisions separately.^[9] These events feature 16 national teams per gender, structured in an initial group stage where teams are divided into pools of four, followed by knockout rounds for the top finishers to determine final placements.^[9] Each tie between teams consists of a best-of-three doubles matches, with all matches played to completion in the group stage regardless of the outcome, emphasizing endurance and depth in team lineups.^[9] Teams are composed of a maximum of eight players per gender, typically including six selected starters forming three doubles pairs and up to two reserves, in line with FIP regulations for open category competitions.^[20] All play is restricted to doubles format, with no singles matches permitted, allowing teams to rotate pairs strategically across ties to manage player fatigue.^[21] Qualification for the events is determined by a combination of FIP national teams rankings, where the top-ranked nations receive automatic berths, and performance in continental qualifiers such as the Pan-American Padel Cup, European Padel Cup, and similar regional tournaments.^[22] For instance, in the 2024 edition, ten men's teams including Argentina, Spain, and host Qatar qualified directly via rankings, while others advanced through Americas and other continental events.^[22] The national teams portion typically spans 7 to 10 days within the broader championship schedule, culminating in finals that often provide the host nation with advantages such as heightened crowd support and home-court familiarity.^[9] Match rules follow FIP standards: each doubles match is best of three sets, with sets played to six games and a tiebreak at 6-6 to decide the set.^[21] Courts are enclosed glass-walled enclosures measuring 20 meters in length by 10 meters in width, a dimension standardized by the FIP to ensure uniform play conditions.^[21] This team format complements the individual pairs events by fostering national pride and collective strategy in the sport.^[9]

Pairs Events

The pairs events of the Padel World Championship, known as the World Padel Couples Championships, were introduced in 1992 as a dedicated doubles competition open to international pairs, distinct from the national teams flagship event that emphasizes country pride.^[4] Held biennially, these events feature men's and women's categories, with pairs competing as professional or club duos rather than national squads, allowing for mixed-nationality partnerships in some cases.^[4] The format consists of an open draw typically accommodating 32 to 64 pairs per gender, structured as single-elimination knockout matches following optional round-robin qualifying stages to determine seeding and advancement.^[23] All contests are doubles matches played best-of-three sets, with tie-breaks at 6-6, adhering to standard padel scoring that rewards strategic wall play and lobs.^[23] Qualification for the pairs events grants direct entry to the top-ranked duos based on the International Padel Federation (FIP) individual rankings, supplemented by wildcards for host nation representatives and pre-qualifying rounds for additional spots, ensuring a maximum draw of up to 128 pairs if needed while prioritizing regional quotas.^[23] Unlike the national teams events, which involve squad selection and multi-match ties, pairs qualification focuses solely on duo performance and licensing from FIP member federations, without requiring team allegiance or coaching structures.^[23] This separation, established since the pairs' inception in 1992, allows for a more concise tournament duration of 5 to 7 days, centered on individual excellence rather than collective national representation.^[4] Rule adaptations in pairs events mirror those of the teams competitions, utilizing identical equipment—standard padel courts with glass walls, approved balls like the Bullpadel Next Pro, and rackets—while emphasizing the sport's core tactics of volleying near the net and defensive lobs off the walls.^[24] Later editions have occasionally included mixed doubles exhibitions to showcase versatility, though these remain non-competitive.^[23] In a significant evolution, the 2025 edition rebranded as the standalone FIP World Cup Pairs, featuring a draw of 48 men's and 40 women's pairs with dedicated qualifiers, and introducing a substantial prize pool exceeding €1 million to elevate its professional status.^[24]

Editions and Hosting

Biennial Schedule and Locations

The Padel World Championship, organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP), has been held biennially since its inception in 1992, serving as the premier international competition for national teams in both men's and women's categories.^[2] The event typically spans one week, featuring group stages and knockout rounds, with recent editions accommodating 16 teams per gender for a total of 32 competing squads. Originally planned for 2020 in Doha, Qatar, the championship was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the only interruption in its schedule to date.^[4][25] Host selection occurs through a bidding process managed by the FIP every two years, with decisions based on criteria such as venue quality, infrastructure, and potential to promote padel in emerging markets.^[26] This approach has led to selections in growing regions, including the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and Qatar in both 2021 and 2024, to expand the sport's global footprint.^[27] Participation has grown significantly, from 8 nations in the inaugural 1992 edition to 32 teams from 16 countries by 2024, reflecting padel's increasing international adoption.^[7][28] The following table outlines the complete timeline of editions, including host locations: *Postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19.^[25] The next edition is scheduled for 2026, continuing the biennial tradition, though the host has not yet been announced.^[29]

Notable Hosting Venues and Attendance

The inaugural Padel World Championship in 1992 took place in Seville, Spain, with the finals held at La Cartuja, an outdoor venue that marked the debut of purpose-built courts for the international event and symbolized the sport's early expansion beyond local clubs.^[7][2] The 1994 edition shifted to Mendoza, Argentina, the first time the championship was hosted in South America, where it benefited from the region's strong padel culture and drew enthusiastic local support.^[30] More recently, Doha, Qatar, has become a prominent host, with the 2024 FIP World Padel Championships at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, a state-of-the-art facility that accommodated national teams from 16 countries and highlighted Qatar's growing role in global sports infrastructure.^[11][27] A key evolution in hosting has been the transition to indoor arenas starting around 2010, aimed at controlling environmental factors like weather and ensuring consistent playability; this is exemplified by the 2025 FIP World Cup Pairs in Kuwait, scheduled at The Arena Kuwait—a modern indoor venue with a 4,700-seat capacity—alongside courts at the Rafa Nadal Academy.^[31][32] Attendance for the championships has mirrored padel's overall surge in popularity, evolving from crowds of a few thousand in the 1990s to significantly larger turnouts in contemporary editions, driven by improved broadcasting and venue accessibility.^[33] The 2018 edition in Asunción, Paraguay, underscored hosting challenges when infrastructure shortcomings— including faulty lighting, substandard court surfaces, and organizational lapses—disrupted proceedings, prompting the FIP to enforce rigorous venue evaluation criteria for subsequent events to prioritize player welfare and event quality.^[34]

Results by Edition

National Teams Results

The National Teams events in the Padel World Championship have been contested biennially since 1992, with 17 editions held through 2024 for both men's and women's competitions.^[4] Argentina and Spain have dominated the men's category, with Argentina securing 12 gold medals compared to Spain's 4, highlighting a fierce rivalry that has defined the tournament's history.^[4] In the women's events, Spain leads with 9 titles to Argentina's 8, underscoring their recurring finals matchups.^[4]

Men's National Teams Results

The men's competition has seen Argentina's consistent excellence, often prevailing in finals against Spain, though occasional upsets and organizational challenges have marked certain editions. Below is a summary of winners and runners-up by year.

Women's National Teams Results

Spain's women's team has achieved remarkable dominance in recent years, winning six consecutive titles from 2014 to 2024, while Argentina's early successes set the stage for intense transatlantic rivalries. The results by edition are as follows.

Pairs Results

The pairs events of the Padel World Championship were introduced in 1996 as part of the biennial tournament structure organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP), featuring men's and women's doubles competitions open to international players.^[4] These events ran alongside national teams competitions until 2018, with 12 editions held from 1996 to 2018, emphasizing individual pair achievements over team-based formats.^[4] The 2025 edition in Kuwait City, Kuwait, served as the inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs, adopting a standalone format with 48 main draw pairs per gender and qualification rounds to broaden participation.^[37] Spanish pairs have exhibited notable dominance in the women's category.^[4]

Men's Pairs Results

The men's pairs competition has seen strong representation from Argentine and Spanish players, with Argentina claiming seven titles from 1996 to 2018.^[4] Below is a year-by-year summary of gold and silver medalists where documented.

Women's Pairs Results

In the women's category, Spain has won ten of the 12 editions from 1996 to 2018, including mixed pairs, highlighting the country's technical prowess in doubles play.^[4] The table below summarizes key results.

All-Time Achievements

Country Wins and Dominance

In the men's national teams competition of the Padel World Championship, Argentina holds a commanding lead with 12 gold medals, far surpassing Spain's 4 victories, while no other country has secured a title.^[4] This dominance underscores Argentina's historical monopoly, exemplified by seven wins between 1992 and 2006, including three consecutive from 1992 to 1996 and four from 2000 to 2006, during which they captured most championships and established the event's early competitive landscape.^[4] Spain's successes, including triumphs in 1998, 2008, 2010, and 2021, represent periodic interruptions but have not altered the overall Argentine supremacy.^[4] The 2018 edition stands as an anomaly, with no final contested due to organizational issues, leaving the medal count unaffected by that year.^[41] Argentina's latest victory in 2024 further solidified their lead, highlighting a rivalry intensely focused between the two nations, where finals have overwhelmingly featured Argentina against Spain since the tournament's inception.^[4] In contrast, the women's competition exhibits greater parity, with Spain leading at 9 gold medals to Argentina's 8.^[4] Spain has asserted recent dominance through six consecutive titles from 2014 to 2024, including wins in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, shifting the balance after Argentina's early successes in the 1990s and scattered victories through 2012.^[4] This pattern reflects closer overall competition in the women's category compared to the men's, where Argentina's near-monopoly has limited breakthroughs by other nations. Emerging padel powers have occasionally challenged the duopoly, such as Brazil's silver medals in multiple editions starting from 2000.^[4] Similarly, the United Arab Emirates' hosting of the 2022 championship in Dubai spurred significant local growth, elevating the nation's profile in international padel.^[42] These instances illustrate gradual diversification beyond the traditional powerhouses, fostering rivalries and broader participation. ^[4]

Player Records and Milestones

In the men's pairs category of the Padel World Championship, Fernando Belasteguín of Argentina holds notable success with two gold medals in 2002 and 2004 through partnerships that showcased his dominance on the international stage.^[4] His victories contributed to Argentina's early supremacy in the event, highlighting his role as one of the sport's pioneering figures. More recently, Alejandro Galán of Spain has emerged as a leading contender, claiming two gold medals as of 2025, including the 2018 title with Juan Lebrón and a dramatic upset victory alongside Federico Chingotto in the 2025 final against top-seeded Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello.^[37] On the women's side, Alejandra Salazar of Spain leads with seven gold medals in pairs events from 2010 to 2024, establishing her as a consistent force with precise play and strategic prowess.^[43] Gemma Triay, also from Spain, has three golds as of 2024, often partnering to achieve podium finishes that underscore Spain's growing influence in women's padel.^[44] Key milestones in the pairs competition include the 2012 edition, where the Brazilian men's pair achieved the first victory by a non-Spanish or Argentine duo, breaking the traditional dominance of those nations and signaling the sport's expanding global reach.^[4] The 2025 tournament further exemplified competitive depth, as Galán and Chingotto's comeback win over the top seeds highlighted evolving rivalries and tactical innovations in high-stakes matches.^[45] In the women's 2025 event, Paula Josemaría and Ariana Sánchez defeated Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea to claim the title.^[37] These individual achievements not only personalize the championship's legacy but also contextualize the national team successes driven by similar talents.

Medal Tables

Men's Teams Medals

The medals for men's national teams in the Padel World Championship are determined by results in the final stages: gold for the tournament winner, silver for the runner-up, and bronze for the victor of the third-place match between the semifinal losers—a format in place since the event's inception in 1992. In the 2018 edition hosted in Asunción, Paraguay, the final between Argentina and Spain was not contested due to organizational issues and unsafe playing conditions, resulting in no gold or silver awarded, though Brazil received bronze as the semifinalist. The following cumulative medal table reflects all editions from 1992 to 2024, compiled from official records.^[4] This table includes all nations that have won at least one medal; over 50 countries have participated across editions, but only these seven have medaled. The distribution highlights a pronounced South American dominance, with Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay claiming roughly 70% of all medals through superior depth in team play and regional development of the sport. Post-2010, European teams have risen in competitiveness, exemplified by Spain's four silvers in that span and occasional bronzes for nations like France and Portugal, signaling broader global growth.

Women's Teams Medals

The women's teams medals in the Padel World Championship are determined through the national teams tournament format, awarding gold to the champion, silver to the runner-up, and bronze to the third-place team, a structure in place since the event's inception in 1992.^[4] The following table summarizes the all-time medal counts for women's national teams across all 17 editions held from 1992 to 2024: ^[4] In contrast to the men's competition, where Argentina has secured 12 golds compared to Spain's 4, the women's event exhibits greater parity between the two leading nations. Spain's recent surge, capturing 7 of the 8 golds since 2010—including a streak of 6 consecutive titles from 2014 to 2024—has accounted for 87.5% of the medals in that span, underscoring their growing dominance while maintaining competitive balance overall.^[4][36]