Quick reflexes, powerful teamwork — padel in motion at Bree Street’s Racket + Ball. One of the fastest-growing sports in the world, padel is winning players of all ages.
Image: Cape Town Sports Photography
Padel enthusiasts are gearing up for another busy season as league and tournament fixtures ramp up following the 2025/26 festive break.
One of the world’s fastest-growing sports, padel continued its rapid rise in South Africa last year, with courts popping up across the country — particularly in the Western Cape, where Cape Town has firmly established itself as a hotbed for the fast-paced racquet sport.
Today, entries open for the first Padel4Good tournament of the year, set to take place next month. One of the Mother City’s fastest-growing padel brands, Padel4Good will host a Mixed Tournament at the Racket + Ball Club in Bree Street on February 21.
The event sets the tone for what promises to be a landmark year for the organisation, which plans to host nine events in total. New additions to the calendar include an exciting initiative aimed at further advancing Padel4Good’s mission.
Founded a few years ago to create competitive opportunities at a time when tournaments were limited, Padel4Good has since evolved into a platform for social development. Through its events, the brand raises funds to empower women and children at risk across the Western Cape.
“For 2026, we’re planning two mixed tournaments, two men’s tournaments, and two women’s tournaments,” says Padel4Good’s Kathleen Barker. “We’ll also be hosting Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s events, and we’re exploring something completely new. If it goes ahead, it will allow us to donate a significantly larger amount through a single event.”
Reflecting on the past year, Barker highlighted the strength of the padel community.
“One of the biggest takeaways from 2025 was just how incredible the padel community is,” she says. “The support we receive and the feedback from players after every event keeps us motivated to grow and improve.”
She adds: “A huge thank you to everyone who played, watched, and supported us. Together, we really are part of something bigger. We’re also excited to roll out a subtle Padel4Good brand refresh this year — a fresher look while keeping the same heart and purpose at our core.”
Padel — a hybrid of tennis and squash — has seen explosive growth nationwide, particularly in cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. Its social, accessible, and fast-paced nature has attracted players of all ages and fitness levels. According to Padel South Africa, the country now boasts over 200 courts, up from fewer than 30 just a few years ago.
Venues such as Racket + Ball and Padel Lab have become community hubs, hosting social matches, tournaments, and charity events. Padel4Good’s partnership with Racket + Ball, launched at the start of last year, has been widely praised. The Bree Street venue attracts players from beginner to advanced level and is frequently rated among Cape Town’s top padel facilities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Racket + Ball for their continued support,” says Barker. “Their venue and team have played a huge role in helping us give back through padel, and we’re thankful to continue this partnership into 2026.”
Proceeds from next month’s event will go to Amazeballs Padel, a non-profit organisation that collects and refurbishes old padel balls to fund community projects. Its latest initiative involves installing a playground structure for early childhood development at Goal50 in Heideveld.
“This playground piece represents far more than recycled materials,” says Amazeballs Founder and CEO Lesley Waterkeyn. “It’s about turning waste into opportunity and giving children a safe, inspiring space to play and dream.”
Mario Van Niekerk, CEO of GCU at Goal50, adds: “Support from Padel4Good is transformational for the Heideveld community. Infrastructure like this builds pride, safety, and belonging, and creates lasting positive change.”
Entries for the Mixed Tournament go live on Monday, 26 January, at 6pm via the Playtomic app. Entry costs R800 per player, with 16 spots available for players rated 2–5 on Playtomic. More information is available on the Padel4Good Instagram page.
In other padel news, the PadelNow League confirmed its league launch this week. Pool stages run from February 3 to March 26 at Meerendal Wine Estate, with entries available via the Playtomic app.
IOL Sport