Padel in Qatar — The Fastest-Growing Padel Nation (2026 Guide)

Qatar has emerged as one of the most important countries in global padel — not through decades of organic growth, but through strategic investment that has placed the nation at the centre of the sport’s professional structure. As the co-founder of Premier Padel and host of the prestigious Qatar Major, Qatar’s influence on padel extends far beyond its borders.

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How Padel Arrived in Qatar

Padel’s presence in Qatar is relatively recent compared to traditional padel nations like Spain or Argentina. The sport began gaining traction in the late 2010s, driven by expatriate communities — particularly Spanish and Latin American residents — who brought their padel culture to Doha.

The turning point came in 2022, when Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) partnered with the International Padel Federation (FIP) to launch Premier Padel, the sport’s top-tier professional circuit. This was not just a sponsorship deal — it was a structural transformation that placed Qatar at the governance level of global padel.

Since then, padel infrastructure in Qatar has expanded rapidly, with new courts, coaching programmes, and competitive leagues appearing across the country.

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Courts and Infrastructure

Qatar has invested heavily in padel facilities:

• Doha — The capital has the largest concentration of courts, with premium indoor and outdoor facilities at sports clubs, hotels, and dedicated padel centres
• Lusail — Qatar’s planned city north of Doha includes modern sports infrastructure with padel courts integrated into residential and commercial developments
• Al Wakra — Growing padel presence south of Doha, reflecting the sport’s spread beyond the capital
• Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex — The venue for the Qatar Major, featuring world-class courts and spectator facilities

Indoor courts are particularly important in Qatar due to the extreme summer heat. Many facilities offer air-conditioned indoor courts that allow year-round play.

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Qatar’s Role in Professional Padel

Qatar’s significance in padel goes far beyond domestic participation:

Qatar Sports Investments (QSI)

QSI, the investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority’s sports portfolio, co-founded Premier Padel in 2022. This gave Qatar a seat at the table in governing professional padel worldwide. QSI’s investment has funded:

• The creation and expansion of the Premier Padel circuit
• Broadcast deals (including the Red Bull TV partnership)
• Prize money increases across the tour
• New tournament venues and markets

The Qatar Major

Qatar hosts one of four Majors on the Premier Padel calendar — the Ooredoo Qatar Major in Doha. Majors are the most prestigious events in professional padel, carrying maximum ranking points and prize money.

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Player Base and Participation

Padel participation in Qatar spans several communities:

• Expatriate community — Spanish, Argentine, and other Latin American residents form the core of Qatar’s padel-playing population
• Local Qatari players — Growing domestic interest, particularly among younger players
• Corporate and social leagues — Padel has become a popular social sport in Qatar’s business community
• Juniors — Youth development programmes are expanding, supported by coaching from European and Latin American professionals

While Qatar’s absolute player numbers are smaller than established padel nations, the growth rate is among the highest in the world.

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Top Facilities and Clubs

• Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex — Qatar’s premier racquet-sport venue and Major host
• Padel Qatar — Dedicated padel facility offering coaching, leagues, and social play
• Hotel and resort courts — Many luxury hotels in Doha offer padel courts, making the sport accessible to visitors
• Private club facilities — Several sports and social clubs in Doha have added padel courts to their offerings

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Governing Body

The Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) oversees padel in Qatar. The federation coordinates with QSI and the FIP on tournament hosting, player development, and grassroots programmes.

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Current Trends

• Infrastructure expansion — New courts continue to be built across Qatar, with both public and private investment
• Regional influence — Qatar’s hosting of the Major inspires padel growth across the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait
• Tourism connection — Padel is becoming part of Qatar’s sports tourism offering, alongside football, Formula 1, and tennis
• Youth development — Structured junior programmes aim to produce competitive Qatari players for international competition

For the full Premier Padel calendar including the Qatar Major, see our 2026 season guide.