Premier Padel Pretoria P2 Ready to Serve Up World-Class Action in SA

Once known mainly as a social sport, padel is taking a major professional step in South Africa with the arrival of Premier Padel Pretoria P2 at SunBet Arena. Johannesburg,... The post Premier Padel Pretoria P2 Ready to Serve Up World-Class Action in SA appeared first on Good Things Guy.

May 7, 2026 - 14:42

Premier Padel Pretoria P2 Ready to Serve Up World-Class Action in SA

Once known mainly as a social sport, padel is taking a major professional step in South Africa with the arrival of Premier Padel Pretoria P2 at SunBet Arena.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 May 2026) – For many South Africans, padel has become the unofficial home of “one quick game” that somehow turns into three hours and a post-match coffee session, but the sport is now entering a whole new league.

South Africa is preparing to welcome one of the fastest-growing sports in the world as Premier Padel Pretoria P2 officially lands in Pretoria later this year.

The tournament, which will take place at SunBet Arena from 26 July to 2 August, marks the first time South Africa hosts a Premier Padel event on the global circuit. The week-long spectacle is expected to attract some of the world’s leading padel players while also shining a spotlight on the rapid growth of the sport locally.

Speaking at the official launch, PRIMEDIA Sport’s Tobie Badenhorst said the event will offer more than just elite competition on court.

“It’s not just about the matches. There will be activations, entertainment and local South African artists performing in between breaks of play. We’re showcasing South Africa to the world, and we know South Africans can bring the energy and vibe.”

Badenhorst added that the tournament represents an important milestone for the development of the sport in the country.

“There’s something special about doing something new for the first time. Padel is still relatively new in South Africa, so it gives us the opportunity to put the right systems and structures in place to help grow the sport from grassroots level.”

The Pretoria tournament will debut as a P2-level event on the Premier Padel calendar, with hopes of potentially expanding into a higher-tier tournament in future.

“We’ve been advised to start with a P2 and find our feet first. But there are already discussions about how we can continue growing the event.”

South African player Adam van Harte described the upcoming tournament as a major moment for padel in the country.

“It’s really exciting for us as players, spectators and investors. When I first started playing, I never imagined padel would reach this level in South Africa.”

Van Harte and his playing partner are currently preparing for the qualification stages as they aim to secure a place in the main draw.

“The goal is to qualify first and then see how far we can go. This tournament is going to elevate the sport and create opportunities for many more people.”

He believes the event also reflects South Africa’s growing reputation for hosting major sporting events.

“We’ve seen South Africa host big sporting events recently, and now padel is getting that opportunity too. It’s an honour to be part of it.”

With international stars, local talent and a strong entertainment element all set to feature, Premier Padel Pretoria P2 is expected to provide South African fans with a first taste of the sport at the highest level.