The International Padel Federation has confirmed that Alexandria, Egypt, will host the inaugural FIP Junior Africa Padel Cup from 17 to 20 June 2026, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 16 June. This marks the first continental youth event dedicated to Africa’s NextGen, adding a new milestone to the global padel calendar.
Egypt’s growing role
The choice of Egypt reflects its rapid rise as a hub for padel in Africa. According to the FIP World Padel Report 2025, the country boasts 1,500 courts and more than 380,000 amateur players. Egypt has already staged elite events such as the NewGiza P2, and in 2027 it will host the FIP Africa Padel Cup, further consolidating its leadership on the continent.
Competition and categories
The Junior Africa Cup will feature boys’ and girls’ competitions across Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 categories. The tournament is designed to showcase emerging talent while offering young athletes the chance to compete at a continental level.
Beyond sport
The event also embodies the Federation’s broader vision of inclusion and cultural exchange. By bringing together players from across Africa, the Junior Cup aims to promote values such as coexistence, friendship, and fair play, making padel a shared language for youth development.
Carraro’s statement
International Padel Federation President Luigi Carraro emphasised the significance of the event: “The allocation of the first edition of FIP Junior Africa Padel Cup to Egypt represents a historic moment for our sport and for the entire international youth movement. I would like to thank Minister of Sport Gohar Nabil, the Egyptian Padel Federation and its President Ahmed Ghatwary for their commitment, vision and outstanding organisational capacity: their work has been instrumental in bringing African Padel to this level of growth and recognition. This event is not only a competition, but a concrete symbol of our commitment to developing Padel across every continent, offering young athletes real opportunities for competition, development and exchange. Africa officially joins the family of major FIP NextGen events, and we are confident this is only the beginning of a journey full of future achievements.”
The FIP Junior Africa Padel Cup will not only crown the first continental champions but also mark a new chapter in the sport’s expansion, strengthening Africa’s place in the global padel movement.
