Padel may beat pickleball in the Olympic race
Last Edited
Jan 02 2025
Category
News
As pickleball continues to break participation records in the US and globally, there’s a quieter—but arguably stronger—push from another racquet sport to gain highly coveted entry into the Olympics.
The International Padel Federation (FIP) has its eyes set on Brisbane 2032, and the sport is ticking off boxes the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers essential for Olympic inclusion.
Meanwhile, pickleball faces steeper challenges in making a similar leap. Could padel, a sport only four years younger than pickleball, really win the Olympic race?
Here’s why the answer might be 'yes.'
Pickleball is fragmented
The first hurdle for any aspiring Olympic sport is governance. The IOC demands a single, unified international federation to oversee the sport globally.
Padel has this covered with the International Padel Federation (FIP). The FIP not only regulates the sport internationally but also meets the ethical requirements of the IOC.
On the other hand, pickleball suffers from fragmented representation.
Competing organizations like the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) and Global Pickleball Federation exist and have yet to achieve the same cohesive global influence as FIP has for its sport.
Padel’s key benchmark
Padel has an ace up its sleeve: Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF) status.
This means the IOC is actively monitoring its growth and progress, a significant step toward inclusion. While pickleball has yet to secure similar recognition, ARISF status gives padel a clear roadmap for fulfilling IOC criteria.
The clock is ticking
The IOC reviews sports for inclusion seven years ahead of each Olympics, meaning the window for Los Angeles 2028 has already closed. Brisbane 2032 is the next realistic opportunity.
While pickleball has the passion and numbers around the world but specifically in North America, it must act swiftly to address organizational fragmentation and invest heavily in international expansion to stand a chance of inclusion in either of the next two Games.
The race for Olympic inclusion is competitive, with only 40 spots for sports in each Games. Padel’s unified governance, anti-doping compliance, and ARISF recognition give it a substantial lead.
Pickleball, despite its incredible growth, needs a clear strategy to catch up.
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