Rome lights up the clash between the sport’s biggest stars

Five editions and a now inseparable bond: Rome and top-level Padel continue to strengthen their shared history year after year. The BNL Italy Major Premier Padel returns to the Italian capital to write a new chapter of sporting spectacle and growth. From 31 May to 7 June, the Foro Italico will once again become the beating heart of world Padel, a stage of exceptional appeal where the best players in the world will showcase their skills. A total of 240 players will compete — 52 pairs in the women’s draw and 68 in the men’s draw — across 118 matches played over eight days.

Anticipation is building for the first Major of the year. This morning, at the Foro Italico Club, the official press conference for the event took place, attended, among others, by the President of the International Padel Federation Luigi Carraro, the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, the CEO of Sport e Salute Diego Nepi Molineris, and the President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation Angelo Binaghi.

ROME WELCOMES THE WORLD’S BEST 

As per tradition, the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel will feature all the circuit’s leading players. In the men’s draw, attention will focus on the battle between world number ones Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia (winners in the capital in 2023), and Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto, who have beaten them in the last two finals at the Foro Italico and have already claimed five titles in 2026 in Gijón, Miami, Newgiza, Asunción and Buenos Aires. Also to watch, as always, are Juan Lebrón — winner of the 2022 edition alongside Galán — and Leo Augsburger, as well as Mike Yanguas and Franco Stupaczuk. Rome will also mark the return of two highly anticipated pairings: Martín Di Nenno and Rome favourite Paquito Navarro — finalists in the inaugural Major — who reunite on a full-time basis from the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel onwards. Javi Leal and Fran Guerrero, standout performers in the 2025 edition when they reached the semi-finals, will also return as a pair. Among the top eight seeds are Jon Sanz and Coki Nieto, as well as Javi Garrido and Lucas Bergamini.

The women’s draw is equally strong, led by reigning champions Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay, with the latter having reclaimed the world number one ranking following her 2025 Rome title, which she has held ever since. However, recent tournaments suggest close attention should be paid to Paula Josemaría (a former Rome winner alongside Ari Sánchez) and Bea González, who have won the last five events on the calendar, all against the top-ranked pair. Also returning to the Foro Italico are Ari Sánchez, this time alongside Andrea Ustero. Among the leading names are “Niña Maravilla” Claudia Fernández and Sofía Araújo, Tamara Icardo and Claudia Jensen, 2023 winner Marta Ortega with rising talent Martina Calvo, as well as legendary Alejandra Salazar, making her final appearance at the Foro Italico alongside Ale Alonso, in the season that will mark the end of an outstanding career.

MATCHES 

The BNL Italy Major Premier Padel will begin with the qualifying rounds, played on Sunday 31 May and Monday 1 June. On Tuesday 2 June, both the men’s and women’s main draws will get underway. The semi-finals will take place on Saturday 6 June: the first session from 2 pm CEST (women followed by men), and the second not before 7pm. On Sunday 7 June, starting at 6.30 pm, the finals will be played, with the women’s final followed by the men’s final (not before 8 pm).