For the first time in its history, the  Padel makes its debut at the Mediterranean Games In Taranto, from August 22nd to 28th, 2026, the discipline retains many of its usual codes, but also discovers those of a major multi-sport event:  national selections, medals, delegation attire and mixed doubles .

The rules primarily help to better understand the format chosen for this first edition. It is neither a classic tournament nor...  FIP Tour nor a World or European Team Championship. Players represent their country, but medals are awarded  in pairs .

A hybrid model with some unique features.

Nations were represented, but there was no team ranking.

This is probably the first thing to understand.

Each National Olympic Committee can hire  two male pairs, two female pairs and one mixed pair with a maximum of eight players.

However, the results of the different pairs from the same country are not added together to determine a champion nation.

Unlike the team format used in major international padel competitions, each draw here operates independently. Therefore, a pair can win a medal for their country without the performance of the other pair in the same delegation being taken into account.

We thus find  the national identity of a World or European Championship , but with a sporting mechanics much closer to a traditional tournament.

Three paintings and a real novelty with the mixed media

The Mediterranean Games distribute medals in  three events: men, women and mixed .

It is obviously the third draw that brings the main innovation compared to the professional circuit. Mixed doubles is not a regular category on the FIP Tour, whereas here it becomes a discipline in its own right with  gold, silver and bronze to go and get .

The regulations add an important condition: both members of the mixed pair must already be entered in the men's and women's draws.

Therefore, a nation cannot select two players solely for the mixed team.

Up to two medals for the same player

This rule creates a rather unusual situation:  Theoretically, a single player could leave Taranto with two medals. .

A first in her pairs draw, a second in mixed doubles.

This also adds a strategic dimension to the choices made by the selection committees. Should the two players considered the strongest always be paired in mixed doubles? Should the complementary skills of a right-handed player and a left-handed player be prioritized? Or should the accumulated fatigue from other events be taken into account?

The regulations also allow, if the schedule requires it, several matches in the same day. This already exists in international padel and is therefore not in itself a specific feature of the Games, but  The combination of two draws can exacerbate the recovery problem for players selected for mixed doubles. .

The mixed event is therefore not simply an additional medal: it can also influence the sporting management of the entire week.

Losing in the semi-finals is not enough to win bronze

Another important difference compared to a classic tournament:  The two losers from the semi-finals did not finish with the same score. .

A match for third place is organized in each of the events.

Qualifying for the semi-finals therefore does not guarantee any medals.

To reach the podium, a pair defeated just before the final must rally and win one last match. The schedule for August 28th thus includes bronze medal matches and finals before the medal ceremonies.

A  fourth place  It therefore actually exists, which inevitably changes the perception of a defeat in the semi-final.

The FIP ranking remains at the heart of the system

Despite this new environment, the Mediterranean Games are not starting from scratch to establish their hierarchy.

The three competitions are being played  single-elimination tournaments with seeded players , determined according to the FIP ranking in force fifteen days before the start of the competition.

This is one of the elements that clearly brings the tournament closer to the usual functioning of international padel.

The players arrive wearing their country's colors, but  Their journey on the FIP circuit continues to determine their position in the table .

Compositions submitted in advance and confidential

The "national selection" dimension is more apparent in the pairing process.

After submitting the final list of their players, the delegations had to transmit  the composition of the men's, women's and mixed pairs no later than August 7th .

The manual specifies, above all, that this information should remain  confidential  and be used to prepare the draws and establish the seedings according to the FIP pair rankings.

The logic therefore differs from a professional tournament where two players generally decide for themselves to register together. Here, the composition of the pairs is part of a broader framework of  national delegation .

On the podium, the national colors take center stage.

The change of universe is also reflected in the image conveyed by the players.

The regulation stipulates that clothing and equipment must not carry commercial advertising, with the exception of the manufacturer's brand when it remains discreet and without advertising purpose.

The rule is also applied during ceremonies: medalists must go up on the podium with  the official attire of their National Olympic Committee .

A symbolic but important difference from the professional circuit. At the Mediterranean Games,  The identity of the selection takes precedence over that of the pair and their commercial partners. .

Even the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders leave with a diploma.

A small detail perfectly illustrates the culture of the Games.

Beyond the three medals, the regulations stipulate that one  a diploma is awarded to each player ranked from fourth to eighth place .

A concept almost foreign to the daily functioning of the professional circuit, but much more natural in a multi-sport event where the notion of ranking and national representation goes beyond just the podium.

Anti-doping controls integrated into the Games system

Padel also falls under the general anti-doping framework for competition.

Checks can be carried out  during or outside of competition , under the responsibility of the International Testing Agency (ITA), with the collaboration of NADO Italia and in accordance in particular with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The manual specifies that a refusal to submit to the test or a positive result may lead to a  disqualification and sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations .

Here again, it is not the padel itself that changes on the court, but the environment in which the players operate.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

On the same subject

Tags