Dubai tournament aims to become world’s benchmark for professional padel: Modia

 The Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 is targeting a new level of excellence when it returns from November 8 to 15, with organisers setting their sights on making the tournament the best padel event in the world.

In just three editions, the tournament has established itself as one of the leading events on the international calendar, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity in the UAE and Dubai’s ambition to become a major destination for international sporting events.

Ivan Modia, CEO of Gallop Global and tournament director, said the 2026 edition would build on the progress made so far, with a clear ambition to raise standards across the event.

“In just three editions, the tournament has grown significantly and established itself as one of the leading events on the international padel calendar. This reflects both the development of padel in Dubai, as well as the ambition the city has for the sport,” Modia said.

“For 2026, we want to make Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 the best padel event in the world. It is an ambitious goal, but Dubai is a city that always aims for the highest standards, and we want the tournament to reflect that mentality.”

The tournament’s ambitions have received a significant boost with Emaar joining as title partner for 2026. The partnership brings together a major global brand closely associated with Dubai and an event seeking to strengthen its international profile.

Modia said the collaboration would help take the tournament to the next level and enhance the experience for players and spectators.

“Having Emaar as our title partner is a major step forward for the tournament. Emaar is a brand that is closely associated with Dubai, so bringing the two together is particularly meaningful for us,” he said.

“Together, we want to create an even stronger experience for players and fans, both on and off the court, and continue building the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 into one of the leading sporting events on Dubai’s calendar.”

Padel has enjoyed rapid international growth, with the UAE emerging as an important market for the sport. Dubai’s established sporting infrastructure, international population and expanding community of recreational players have helped create an environment in which the game continues to attract new participants.

According to Modia, the city’s growing padel culture and international audience make it an ideal setting for a tournament featuring the sport’s leading players.

“Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and Dubai has become a home for the sport. The city has built a strong culture around padel, with a growing community of players and fans, and its international audience makes it an ideal place to bring the game to new people,” he said.

He also highlighted the contribution of the UAE Padel Association, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism in supporting the sport’s development and strengthening the tournament’s position.

Bringing the world’s leading men’s and women’s players to Dubai remains central to that strategy. Modia believes the quality of the field is essential not only to the tournament’s international standing but also to attracting new audiences who want to experience elite-level padel in person.

“Having the world’s best players compete in Dubai is fundamental to the tournament. Fans want to see the top players competing against each other, and bringing them together here gives audiences in the UAE the chance to experience that level of competition live,” he said.

“Our priority is to give the players the right conditions to compete at their best and deliver the level of padel that fans expect from a tournament of this importance.”

However, organisers are looking beyond the professional competition itself. The ambition is to establish the event as a wider sports and entertainment experience that appeals to families, residents and international visitors, while keeping the quality of the matches at its heart.

“For us, the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 is about more than what happens on the court. The matches are the main attraction, but we also want people to enjoy the time they spend at the tournament, whether they come with family, friends or as part of a visit to Dubai,” Modia said.

“We want to create an atmosphere where sport and entertainment come together naturally, with something for different audiences to enjoy.”

The tournament also forms part of Dubai’s broader sports tourism offering, with international events providing opportunities to attract visitors, generate global exposure and showcase the city to new audiences.

Modia said the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 brings together players, fans, partners and media from different markets, creating opportunities to expand the event’s reach and contribute to Dubai’s international sporting appeal.

“With the support of the UAE Padel Association, the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism alongside Emaar Properties and our other partners, we want to continue growing the tournament’s international reach,” he said.

Grassroots development is another area of focus as padel gains popularity among younger generations in the UAE. Modia believes the opportunity to watch elite players compete in their own city can inspire young people to take up the sport, although he stressed that long-term development requires more than inspiration alone.

“Eventually, when young people have the chance to watch the best players in the world competing in their own city, it can change how they see the sport. They can see and feel the level required to compete professionally and what they can aspire to themselves,” he said.

“But developing the next generation takes more than inspiration. It requires access to courts, good coaching and opportunities to compete.”

Looking further ahead, Modia has set an ambitious five-year vision for the tournament, with the goal of establishing it as a global reference point for professional padel.

“Over the next five years, I want the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 to become the benchmark for professional padel tournaments worldwide. For me, that means building something that lasts,” he said.

He added that future growth would depend on developing the event strategically, strengthening partnerships and creating greater value for everyone involved.

“We have made important progress in three editions, and I believe there is still significant room to grow. We are ambitious about what this tournament can become, and we intend to keep pushing forward.”