South Africa is about to step onto padel’s grandest stage, and the bounce of history is already echoing through Pretoria.
From 26 July to 2 August, the SunBet Arena at Time Square will host the Pretoria Premier Padel P1, the first professional Premier Padel tournament ever staged in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a milestone that promises to propel the sport from a fast-growing pastime into a national obsession, with the world’s finest players descending on South African soil.
Like a perfectly struck vibora that leaves opponents frozen, the tournament arrives carrying momentum that few sporting events can match.
For South Africa’s leading players, the occasion offers a priceless opportunity to measure themselves against the sport’s global heavyweights in front of a home crowd.
Richard Ashforth and Luan Krige spearhead the local men’s challenge alongside Egmond van Heerden and Jason Milner, while Adam van Harte and Warren Kuhn complete the South African contingent in the men’s main draw.
In the women’s competition, wildcard winners Linge Steenkamp and Zoe Kruger have earned their place among the world’s elite, a reward that reflects the rapid rise of padel across the country and the growing pathway available to aspiring professionals.
Fans will also have every reason to keep an eye on 15-year-old Basma Ali, the youngest player in the tournament. Her appearance among the sport’s established stars feels like watching tomorrow arrive ahead of schedule, underlining the bright future awaiting South African padel.
The spectacle extends far beyond the glass walls of the court.
The fan village promises a festival atmosphere packed with interactive activities, live entertainment and family-friendly experiences throughout the week. Hosts Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Lebo Mokoena will keep proceedings flowing alongside DJ Nick Explicit, while Moyà, the official tournament mascot and Spirit of Pretoria, together with the energetic Vibe Squad, will ensure the venue never loses its pulse.
Finals Weekend raises the volume even further. DJ Maphorisa headlines the quarter-finals on Friday, followed by Timo ODV during Saturday’s semi-finals, before Chrizz Beatz and the acclaimed Mzansi Youth Choir provide the soundtrack to Sunday’s championship showdown.
“The Pretoria Premier Padel P1 is much more than a tournament, it’s a defining moment for padel and for South African sport,” said Primedia Sport Vice President Tobie Badenhorst.
“For the first time, South African fans will experience the world’s best professional padel players competing on home soil, while our own athletes have the opportunity to measure themselves against the very best. We look forward to welcoming fans to what promises to be an unforgettable week of sport, entertainment and celebration.”
Supporters unable to fill the stands will still have a front-row seat. The main draw will be broadcast live across Sub-Saharan Africa on ESPN from 27 July to 2 August via DStv Channel 218, StarTimes Channel 248 and ESPN linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa. Red Bull TV will stream the action globally from 31 July until the finals, while Canal+ will broadcast the tournament to French-speaking audiences.
Tickets remain available through Ticketmaster, offering fans the chance to witness a sporting landmark that could become the opening chapter of South Africa’s padel revolution.
History is no longer knocking at the door. It has picked up a racket, stepped onto centre court and is ready for the first serve.
