FISU recognises padel as an official university sport

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has officially recognised padel as part of its roster of sports, expanding its presence within the university sporting landscape.

According to FISU, the decision follows a thorough evaluation of the International Padel Federation’s (FIP) submission, which outlined the sport’s rapid global growth and alignment with FISU’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in university sports.

It was approved during the recent FISU Executive Committee meeting, where officials reviewed padel’s popularity, structural development, and potential for university athlete engagement. The sport has seen remarkable growth across continents, attracting players of all skill levels, genders, and backgrounds while promoting values of equality, sportsmanship, and accessibility.

FISU Secretary General and CEO, Matthias Remund, welcomed the move.

“This recognition underscores FISU’s commitment to embracing emerging sports that align with our vision,” Remund stated. “Padel’s dynamic and inclusive nature makes it an ideal addition to the FISU ecosystem, providing new opportunities for student-athletes to compete and develop on an international stage.”

 

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What is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court.

It is typically played in doubles, using solid paddles and a lower-pressure tennis ball. The game is known for its fast-paced action, walls that allow for rebounds, and an emphasis on strategy over power.

Originating in Mexico in the late 1960s, padel has grown rapidly worldwide, particularly in Spain and Latin America, and is gaining popularity in other regions, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The International Padel Federation (FIP) is the sport’s global governing body, overseeing its development, organising international competitions, and working to standardise rules and regulations.

It is believed that the recognition of padel within FISU will strengthen collaboration between FISU and FIP, as the next step will involve both organisations formalising their cooperation through a memorandum of understanding. This agreement will outline joint initiatives and development opportunities for university padel competitions.

FIP President, Luigi Carraro, hailed the achievement as a milestone for the sport.

“This is an extraordinary achievement for FIP and all those who love padel,” Carraro said. “This recognition reflects our commitment, and that of our National Federations, towards younger generations in terms of sporting results, both at competitive and amateur level, as well as fundamental principles such as inclusion, socialisation, and cultural exchange.”

He further emphasised the importance of integrating padel into university competitions.

“Working with FISU by featuring padel in the university competitions will be a primary goal,” he added, “and a specific effort that FIP and its member federations will make with great enthusiasm and passion.”

Will padel be included in Rhine-Ruhr 2025?

With FISU’s recognition, padel is expected to feature in future university competitions, offering student-athletes new opportunities to compete at an international level.

However, padel will not feature at Rhine-Ruhr 2025, as the list of 18 sports and their venues has already been finalised.

The 32nd edition of the games, set to take place from 16 to 27 July 2025, will be hosted in Berlin and across multiple cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Bochum, Duisburg, Hagen, Essen, and Mülheim an der Ruhr, and will bring together elite university athletes from around the world.

This will be Germany’s first time hosting the event since 1989, when Duisburg staged the Summer Universiade. Rhine-Ruhr 2025 aims to promote sustainability, innovation, and international student-athlete participation, aligning with FISU’s vision for the future of university sports.