Málaga is ready to become the centre of the padel world. Tomorrow, the Spanish city will host the opening of the inaugural FISU World University Championship Padel, the competition taking place from 7 to 11 July and dedicated to male and female university athletes from 20 countries. Organised by the International Padel Federation together with the University of Málaga, the event is not only a sporting competition but also an opportunity to bring together different cultures, encourage the exchange of experiences and foster connections among young people representing numerous universities under the 20 national flags competing in the event.
The official launch of the FISU World University Championship Padel 2026, following the official recognition of padel by the International University Sports Federation, represents a major milestone in the global expansion of the sport and provides tangible evidence of the collaboration between FISU and FIP. This partnership reflects a shared vision and common objectives that recognise the inclusive nature of a sport capable of bringing together young people from every background. The competition embodies FISU’s core values, fully shared by FIP: excellence, passion and team spirit. Beyond the sporting dimension, the aim is to celebrate the many aspects of academic and cultural life, offering tomorrow’s professionals an unforgettable life experience through sport.
THE CONTENDERS Alongside potential new stars, the tournament in Spain will also feature players who have already made their mark on the CUPRA FIP Tour, FIP’s international circuit. In the men’s draw, the top seeds are Alejandro Jerez Carnero and Férran Gonzalez Zamorano. Last year, Jerez Carnero won the FIP Silver Hamburg in Germany and the FIP Bronze Georgia, both alongside Manu Castaño. Gonzalez Zamorano, meanwhile, reached the final of the FIP Bronze Bahrain in 2025. The two Spaniards are in the top half of the draw alongside Noa Bonnefoy-Michele Brambilla (3), while the bottom half features Alejandro Prados Davalos-Eneko Arija Ochoa De Alda and Matteo Platania-Simone Iacovino. Iacovino recently reached the final of the FIP Bronze Bratislava.
The young women’s players are also ready to showcase their talent in Málaga. Leading the draw are Laura Lujan and Agueda Perez. Lujan is enjoying an outstanding season: in addition to being No. 45 in the FIP Ranking, she has won the FIP Gold Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and the FIP Bronze Eidsvoll in Norway. Also among the players to watch are Ana Dominguez, winner of the FIP Bronze London, who will partner Ana Sanchez, finalist at the FIP Bronze Slovenia, as well as the pairs Francesca Ligotti-Giorgia Rosi and Louise Bahurel-Clara Mansart. In the mixed competition, Nathan Courrin-Louise Bahurel, Valeria Atencia Basilio-Alvaro Sola and Puck Bernard-Thomas Panken are among the leading pairs.
THE THREE TOURNAMENTS The competition will feature three categories: men’s, women’s and mixed. All three draws will begin from the round of 32. Each delegation has been able to enter up to 12 athletes (six men and six women), divided into two men’s pairs, two women’s pairs and two mixed pairs. The mixed pairs must be made up of athletes already competing in the respective men’s and women’s draws. Málaga will host not just one but two weeks of top-level padel, as the Spanish city will also stage a Premier Padel P1 tournament from 13 to 19 July.
The post FISU World University Championship Padel. Málaga welcomes 20 nations and three tournaments: men’s, women’s and mixed appeared first on Padel FIP.
Fuente: FIP