Padel's Medal-Sport History Begins Today as Mediterranean Games Open in Taranto

Padel makes history this morning in Taranto, where the first matches of the sport's debut as a Mediterranean Games medal event get underway.

First balls, first medal sport

The men's draw opens play at Parco Mediterraneo Salinella, with the women's draw following in the afternoon session. It's the first time in the history of the Mediterranean Games that padel has counted as an official medal sport, alongside longtime programme staples like tennis and sailing.

The tournament runs through August 28, when medals are decided across men's, women's and mixed doubles on what organisers are calling Super Friday. The mixed final goes first, followed by the women's final and then the men's championship match to close the Games' padel programme.

A milestone both federations are celebrating

FIP president Luigi Carraro and Taranto 2026 organising committee director general Carlo Molfetta both described the addition as a historic milestone for the sport, while the International Committee of Mediterranean Games said padel's inclusion goes beyond simply adding a new discipline to the calendar.

Teams from close to 20 Mediterranean nations, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Egypt, are entered across the three draws, with the quarterfinals scheduled for August 25 and 26 and the semifinals on August 27.