Dubai: Dubai is set to host its first-ever Premier Padel P1 tournament from 3rd to 10th November at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. A thrilling week of world-class padel will see the best men’s and women’s players from the sport compete for a prize pool of AED1.8 million.

According to Emirates News Agency, the inaugural competition will feature 256 worldwide top names, including international stars like Arturo Coello, Ariana Sanchez Fallada, and Juan Lebron among others battling it out across six purpose-built areas at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. With Fernando Belasteguin poised to retire at the end of this season, it will also mark the final chance to catch ‘Bela’, widely regarded as the greatest player in padel history, competing in an official event in the UAE.

Meanwhile, history makers Paula Josemaria and Ariana Sanchez will also feature at the inaugural event, having clinched a 33rd World Tour title together earlier this year to become the most successful female couple in the history of padel.

Padel has exploded into popularity across the world, with more than 25 million players across 90 countries. Padel’s growth story has been incredible, especially across the Middle East. In 2023, the UAEPA had 155 clubs and 620 courts affiliated, which is more than 13 percent compared to 2022, and more than 1,900 registered players.

The UAE has already hosted many padel events, including the FIP World Padel Championships in 2022 and the upcoming Dubai Premier Padel P1 competition. Meanwhile, there are over 3,200 padel courts in Asia, with 85 percent in the Middle East, and 320 clubs in Saudi Arabia marking a continental high.