Bigger and better things to come for padel in Cape Town next year?

One of South Africa’s fastest-growing padel organisations, Padel4Good, recently wrapped up its 2025 season with a high-energy tournament — and stakeholders are already looking forward to an even bigger year in 2026.

Last weekend, at the Racket + Ball Padel Club on Bree Street in Cape Town, Padel4Good hosted its final event of the calendar year. It capped off a full season of padel activity, including men’s, women’s, and mixed tournaments held at this scenic venue, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain.

This final tournament was the third men’s event of the year run by Padel4Good, featuring players ranked between 2 and 5 on the Playtomic app. Beyond seeking competitive glory, participants were also contributing to a cause: Padel4Good directs proceeds from its events to local charities that support vulnerable women and children across the Cape.

In the final, Justin Rookledge and Richard Woolrich claimed the gold, while Michael Flynnan and Tristan Karakashian were runners-up. Jarno Vorster and Johnnie Ferreira took bronze after a strong performance on the blue courts.

2025 Breakthrough Year for Padel4Good: Record Donations and Community Support

This year was a breakthrough one for the organisation. According to Kathleen Barker of Padel4Good:

“Another year complete — and we achieved our main goal of donating more than ever before, which I’m incredibly proud of. Your participation allows us to keep giving back month after month. … We simply play a small part in helping [charities] continue that vital work, and we’re deeply grateful for all they do.”

She expressed gratitude to the padel community, the players, and the event sponsors — including Intergro Technologies, Cellucity, PrO Pre-Owned, Efficient Insure, Revive Lab SA, Power Bush, Wilson’s, PVM Nutritional Sciences, The Vault, and Daytona — as well as to Racket + Ball Club for hosting.

Barker also teased “three exciting new initiatives” slated for 2026, aimed at raising more funds for local charities, deepening community engagement, and strengthening partnerships.

Padel — often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash — is experiencing explosive growth in South Africa. Its accessible, social nature, combined with fast-paced play, resonates with a wide demographic.

According to The South African, the sport had already grown to over 400 courts nationally by 2024, largely concentrated in major urban centres like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.

Padel Court Growth in South Africa: Infrastructure Expansion and Community Engagement 

Meanwhile, PadelCourtssouthafrica.co.za lists 959 padel courts across 327 clubs in about 97 cities — suggesting that infrastructure growth is accelerating.

Globally, the International Padel Federation (FIP) reported 60 000 padel courts by early 2024. 

This rapid expansion is being matched by growing interest in the community. New courts are being built by local companies, like PadelNation, which has installed more than 140 courts across Southern Africa.

Despite the growth, many recognise that more work is needed to make the sport accessible to underserved communities, including those in the Cape Flats. Currently, many padel facilities are concentrated in wealthier or more central suburbs (like the City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Milnerton, Hout Bay, Newlands, etc.).

Another area under discussion is padel’s formal recognition by SASCOC (the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee). 

Independent Media has attempted to get clarity from Padel South Africa’s Paul Waldburger, but as of now, no confirmed response has been published.

IOL will update accordingly once Padel South Africa responds.

IOL Sport