For the past two days, the tracks   de  The UrbanPadel Marrakech  host an unusual competition. Former international footballers, comedians, sports personalities and padel enthusiasts come together for the  MBD Padel Cup  An event where conviviality takes center stage, without ever eliminating the spirit of competition.

When padel brings worlds together

A simple stroll around the courts is enough to understand one of padel's great strengths. In just a few hours, you might see a world champion, a professional padel player, a comedian, or even a European football star playing together.

This is precisely what emerges from the various interviews conducted throughout the event.

 1998 World Champion ,  Christian Karembeu  He explained that he wanted to "grow in this discipline," proof that even the most decorated athletes continue to approach padel with humility.

For its part,  Clement Grenier , former player of the Olympique Lyonnais , recounted discovering padel during his time at  Majorca  and quickly became hooked on this sport which allows you to share moments of competition while maintaining a strong social dimension.

Same observation for  Javier Pastore ,  Ludovic Giuly  or,  Redouane Bougheraba all gathered in Marrakech with a common desire: to win, certainly, but above all to share the track with profiles they would probably never have met in their daily lives.

A formula that encourages everyone to play

The success of MBD Padel Cup also relies on its format.

Unlike many events where some teams are quickly eliminated, here everyone continues to play and accumulate matches. As a result, the games run from morning until late at night.

Some group matches were even played until one in the morning, proof of the enthusiasm of the participants.

This format also helps maintain competitive intensity. Because while the atmosphere remains relaxed off the courts, the matches are taken very seriously as soon as the players step onto the piste.

As the competition progresses, attention is now turning to the two main draws: the  MBD Champions League  and the  Europa MBD , not forgetting the women's competition.

Pastore, Giuly, Bougheraba... celebrities challenge each other at MBD Padel Cup in Marrakech

The finals are approaching.

Saturday promises to be a decisive day with the final major events of this 2026 edition.

You’ll find here:

  • Women's semi-finals
  • MBD Champions League Semi-finals
  • Europa MBD final stages
  • Women's final
  • MBD Champions League Grand Final

The participants will then conclude the day with a gala evening organized at the Amanaya Marrakech.

The event will conclude on Sunday with a fundraising brunch to benefit SOS Children's Villages Morocco before the participants depart.

100,000 dirhams at stake

Beyond prestige, the MBD Padel Cup also offers a particularly attractive financial prize.

MBD Champions League

  • Winners: 5,000 DH
  • Finalists: 5,000 DH
  • Third place: 7,000 DH

Europa MBD

  • Winners: 5,000 DH
  • Finalists: 5,000 DH

Female table

  • Winners: 15,000 DH
  • Finalists: 5,000 DH

In an exceptional setting in the heart of Marrakech, the MBD Padel Cup demonstrates once again that padel has become much more than just a cousin of tennis. A place for meeting, sharing and competition that now attracts personalities from very different backgrounds.

This could give other organizers some ideas. Why not imagine a similar event in the south of France tomorrow?

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!

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