Claude Baigts: "The International Club Cup of Padel "builds bridges between clubs around the world"

President of the European Association of Clubs Padel (AECP) Claude Baigts continues his commitment to the development of padel through an initiative that is particularly close to his heart: the International Club Cup Padel .

The goal of this competition is to To connect clubs worldwide, encourage exchanges, and offer an international experience to enthusiasts. whether they are players, coaches or managers.

A facilitator role within theAECP

Within the European Association of Clubs PadelClaude Baigts defines himself first and foremost as a facilitator and project initiator .

"I launch ideas, I follow them, and if it's necessary to sweep them away, I sweep them away too."

The association operates collaboratively, with everyone participating in project development. Baigts coordinates, in particular a network of 23 ambassadors spread across five continents tasked with representing theAECP with local clubs and federations.

This international presence allows the association to be regularly approached by new padel nations interested in organizing the International Club Cup.

Claude Baigts: "To build the padel of tomorrow, you have to know its history."

A competition that travels around the world

The International Club Cup Padel has already settled in several destinations in recent years.

En 2025 The competition took place for the first time on the African continent. in Senegal , after having notably gone through Tahiti during a previous edition.

The schedule for the upcoming editions has already been set:

2026: Malaga (Spain), in October
2027: Ajaccio (Corsica)
2028: Rabat (Morocco)

This international rotation is part of the desire of theAECP de to travel to clubs and create a true global padel community .

Success of the International Club Cup Padel in Senegal

A formula open to clubs worldwide

Each year, the competition brings together between 24 and 32 selections Teams can represent a club, a company, or simply a group of friends passionate about padel.

The format is inspired by team competitions:

4 male and 2 female players per selection
meetings organized according to the model of a Davis Cup

The international dimension is already well established. For the 2026 edition, when the competition will be held in October, 17 clubs representing 10 nations and 4 continents have already registered. .

The regions represented include, in particular:

Europe
Africa
North America
Central and South America, with for example Argentina and Mexico

An experience closely resembling professional conditions

One of the objectives of the event is to offer participants conditions similar to those of professional players .

Claude Baigts emphasizes the attention paid to welcoming the teams:

"The players are treated like professionals. There are physiotherapists, osteopaths, recovery areas, referees and umpires from the Andalusian Federation."

The organization also plans shared meals, evenings out, and various opportunities for interaction .

These informal times are, moreover, essential in the spirit of competition.

"Teachers can talk amongst themselves, managers too, and players can meet."

Exchanges between clubs that go beyond competition

Over the years, the International Club Cup has become a genuine network of exchanges between structures .

Some clubs thus discover new padel destinations and forge links that go far beyond the tournament setting.

"We see clubs going to play in Romania, others going to Senegal, coming to France or Portugal. That's exactly the spirit of this cup."

Faced with growing interest, the organization is even considering to expand the competition to 32 teams because near one around fifty applications are currently being studied for the 2026 edition.

Registrations are still open for Malaga

The next edition will take place from 8 to 11 October 2026 in Malaga .

Interested clubs can still submit their applications; final decisions are yet to be made. between April 1st and 30th .

Claude Baigts is also appealing to clubs wishing to participate in the experience:

"Those who wish to be represented can still register. Simply visit our website." europadelcup.com »

A collective adventure that continues to grow

Over the years, the International Club Cup Padel has established itself as a unique event in the world of padel , combining competition, meetings and sharing of experience.

And for Claude Baigts, the pleasure remains undiminished:

"Our greatest satisfaction is seeing new clubs join the adventure every year."

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!