ESPN Brings Historic Premier Padel Pretoria P1 Tournament to South African Screens
Johannesburg, South Africa – South African sports fans are set to witness a historic moment as ESPN broadcasts the country’s first-ever Premier Padel P1 Pretoria tournament live, bringing the world’s fastest-growing racket sport to local audiences from 27 July to 2 August 2026.
Taking place at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria, the tournament forms part of the prestigious Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, marking South Africa’s official debut on the global professional padel circuit.
The landmark event not only showcases the world’s top-ranked men’s and women’s padel stars but also creates a unique opportunity for South African players to compete against international talent through wildcard entries and qualification pathways.
As padel continues its rapid rise in popularity across the globe, hosting a Premier Padel P1 tournament places South Africa firmly on the international sporting map and highlights the country’s growing role in the sport’s expansion.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch every key moment live on ESPN (DStv Channel 218 and StarTimes Channel 248), with coverage including:
- Monday, 27 July: Opening Rounds (from 17:00)
- Tuesday, 28 July – Wednesday, 29 July: Men’s & Women’s First Round (from 09:00)
- Thursday, 30 July: Round of 16 (from 10:00)
- Friday, 31 July: Quarter-finals (from 10:00)
- Saturday, 1 August: Women’s Semi-finals (13:00) & Men’s Semi-finals (17:00)
- Sunday, 2 August: Women’s Final (13:00) & Men’s Final (15:00)
Beyond the live television broadcasts, ESPN Africa will provide match highlights, behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and tournament updates across its digital and social media platforms throughout the week.
The Premier Padel Pretoria P1 is expected to attract significant international attention while introducing millions of South Africans to one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
As the sport continues to expand across continents, the Pretoria event signals an exciting new chapter for padel in Africa and offers local fans the rare opportunity to experience world-class competition without leaving home.
