As the FIFA World Cup heads into its decisive stages, many of the world’s biggest Spanish and Argentine padel stars are preparing for another blockbuster rivalry at the World Padel League

in Mumbai. Here are 10 sporting facts every football fan should know.

1. Lionel Messi isn’t Argentina’s only global sporting icon.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has inspired generations, but Argentina has also produced some of padel’s biggest names. Sanyo Gutiérrez, Juan Tello, Gonzalo Alfonso, Lucho Capra, Fede Mouriño and Aranzazu Osoro will all represent different franchises at the World Padel League, carrying Argentina’s sporting legacy from the football pitch to the padel court.

2. Lamine Yamal is football’s newest superstar – but Spain’s padel stars have been dominating for years.

While Yamal has become one of football’s brightest young talents, Spain continues to rule world padel through stars like Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, Jon Sanz, Edu Alonso and Fran Guerrero, all of whom will play in Mumbai in August. 

3. Cristiano Ronaldo is helping padel go global – and the World Padel League reflects that growth.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of padel’s most influential ambassadors, investing in the sport and regularly playing it himself. The World Padel League showcases padel’s growing international appeal, with top talent from across the world – including Portuguese stars Miguel Deus and Nuno Deus; joining elite players from Spain, Argentina and several other nations in franchise-based competition. 

4. Spain’s second favourite sport isn’t basketball or tennis – it’s padel.

Football remains king, but padel is now Spain’s second most popular participation sport, with millions playing every year. It’s no surprise then that the World Padel League features one of the strongest-ever Spanish line-ups. 

5. Many football stars swap boots for padel racquets.

From Lionel Messi and Neymar to David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, some of football’s biggest names are passionate padel players. This August, fans can watch the professionals who inspire that passion, including Paula Josemaría, Juan Tello, Bea González and Sanyo Gutiérrez, live in Mumbai.

6. Spain and Argentina don’t just compete in football—they dominate padel too.

Every World Padel Championship final since 1992 has featured Argentina alongside Spain or Brazil, highlighting just how deeply these nations are woven into the sport’s history. That rivalry will continue at the World Padel League through players like Marta Ortega versus Aranzazu Osoro, and Jon Sanz versus Juan Tello. 

7. The Beautiful Game Ends. The Battle on Glass Begins.

As the curtains come down on the football extravaganza, the World Padel League takes centre stage, bringing together elite Spanish and Argentine players across six franchises to spark fresh rivalries on the glass court. 

8. World Cup fans already know the flags. Now it’s time to learn the names.

If you’re backing Spain, watch Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, Jon Sanz and Edu Alonso

If you’re supporting Argentina, keep an eye on Sanyo Gutiérrez, Juan Tello, Gonzalo Alfonso, Lucho Capra and Aranzazu Osoro. 

9. Spain and Argentina have mastered more than one global sport.

Between them, they’ve produced football legends like Messi, Maradona, Iniesta, Xavi, Ramos and Yamal – and now they’re producing many of the world’s best padel players, several of whom will headline the World Padel League in Mumbai. 

10. Spain and Argentina dominate the world padel. Now their biggest stars arrive in India.

Spain and Argentina have long set the benchmark in professional padel. This August, the World Padel League brings several of the sport’s leading Spanish and Argentine players to Mumbai, where they’ll compete for their franchises and give fans a chance to witness one of the sport’s richest traditions up close.

Mumbai, July 13, 2026: Mumbai is set to welcome some of the biggest names in international padel, as World Padel League (WPL) unveiled the six franchise squads for its highly anticipated Season 4. Featuring former World No. 1s, Premier Padel champions, established tour winners and some of the sport’s brightest emerging talents, this year’s edition promises the strongest lineup ever assembled for the league.

Licensed and managed by Iconik Sports and Events Ltd., the World Padel League has rapidly established itself as one of the sport’s marquee team events, bringing world-class padel to Indian audiences. From August 12-16, the Dome, SVP Stadium, Mumbai, will host five days of elite competition as six franchises battle for the Season 4 crown.

The squads underline the league’s growing stature on the global padel calendar. With internationally acclaimed players spread across every team, fans can expect a tournament defined by high-quality competition, thrilling rivalries and closely contested encounters.

Season 4 by the Numbers

• 3 former World No. 1s
• Over 10 Premier Padel champions
• 13 players currently ranked amongst the world’s Top 20
• Players representing 06 countries
• 36 international stars competing across 6 franchises

Among the marquee names taking centre stage are former World No. 1 Paula Josemaria, former World No. 1 Marta Ortega, former World No. 1 Carlos Daniel (Sanyo) Gutierrez, fan favourite Beatriz Gonzalez, Spanish star Juan Tello, Argentine standout Aranzazu Osoro, Premier Padel winner Jon Sanz, experienced campaigners Lucas Campagnolo and Luciano Capra, alongside several rising stars who continue to make their mark on the international circuit.

Adding another layer of intrigue, several players who regularly compete against each other on the international tour will now become teammates, while familiar rivalries will be renewed in franchise colours, setting the stage for five days of high-intensity action.

World Padel League Season 4 Squads

• Khan Tigers: Javier García, Lucas Campagnolo, Raquel Eugenio, Martina Fassio, Inigo Jofre and Andres Lancha.
• Aussie Mavericks Jaguars: Pol Hernandez, Guille Collado, Alejandra Alonso, Claudia Jensen, Enzo Jensen and Ignacio Piotto.
• Hubtown Panorama Panthers: Enrique Goenaga, Ramiro Valenzuela, Juan Tello, Eduardo Alonso, Marta Barrera and Marta Caparros.
• Game Changers Lions: Federico Mourino, Teodoro Zapata, Paula Josemaria, Beatriz Gonzalez, Gonzalo Alfonso and Carlos Danieln Gutierrez..
• Vedanta Leopards: Nuno Deus, Miguel Deus, Marta Ortega Gallego, Veronica Virseda, Francisco Guerrero and Javier Ruiz.
• VB Realty Cheetahs: Jorge Nieto, Jon Sanz, Aranzazu Osoro, Julieta Bidahorria, Jesus Moya and Luciano Capra.

The World Padel League has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on India’s sporting calendar, introducing new audiences to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports while showcasing elite international competition in an exciting team-based format.

Fans can catch all the action live at the Dome, SVP Stadium, Mumbai, from August 12-16, with tickets available now on BookMyShow.

Mumbai, July 09, 2026: Fueling the wave of padel’s remarkable growth in India, the World Padel League (WPL) is set to return with its biggest edition yet to the iconic Dome, SVP Stadium, Mumbai, from August 12-16, 2026. Licensed and managed by Iconik Sports and Events Ltd., the league enters a new phase of growth with a larger venue, six franchise teams and an elite international player line-up, reaffirming its position as India’s leading franchise-based professional padel league.

Season 4 will feature 36 of the world’s leading padel players representing five countries, including Spain, Argentina, and Brazil, competing across six franchises in the league’s fast-paced team format. The franchises include Vedanta Leopards, owned by Vedanta Group; Khan Tigers, owned by Sohail Khan Entertainment; Panorama Panthers, owned by Panorama Studios; Aussie Mavericks Jaguars, owned by Amit Sahni, Kewal Kalra and Pankaj Singha; Game Changers Lions, owned by Game Changers FZCO; and VB Realty Cheetahs, owned by Vashu Bhagnani.

Building on the success of its previous three editions, the World Padel League has played a significant role in bringing world-class padel to Indian audiences through its unique franchise-based format. As the sport gathers pace across the country, the league continues to provide a platform for elite international competition while helping build greater awareness, accessibility, and excitement around padel in India.

Speaking ahead of Season 4, Mahesh Bhupathi, Co-Founder, World Padel League, said: “Every season of the World Padel League has reinforced padel’s growing momentum in India. What began as a bold vision has grown into a league that brings together the world’s best players, leading brands, passionate fans and a rapidly expanding sporting community. India is fast becoming one of padel’s most exciting growth stories globally, and it’s gratifying to see WPL helping shape that journey.”

The current edition of the league comes at a time when padel is witnessing unprecedented momentum across the country. According to the India Padel Report 2026 by Hudle and CAA Portas, India’s padel market is projected to grow from US$25-30 million to US$250–300 million by 2036, while the player base surged from just 500-1,000 players in 2022 to nearly 100,000 in 2025.

As India’s padel ecosystem continues to expand, the World Padel League remains committed to accelerating the sport’s growth by bringing global stars to Indian shores, inspiring greater participation and strengthening the country’s position on the international padel map. With a bigger venue, an elite international field and the continued backing of leading corporate and entertainment brands, Season 4 is poised to be the league’s biggest and most impactful edition yet.

The complete player roster, fixtures and tournament schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, adding to the excitement ahead of the league’s return to Mumbai.

New Delhi, July 6, 2026: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), India’s leading privately funded Olympic high-performance training centre promoted by the JSW Group, have extended their high-performance partnership for another three years, with the renewed agreement running until March 31, 2029.

Building on a successful collaboration that concluded in 2023, the renewed Contribution Agreement will see IIS continue to support WFI’s national wrestling programme across the senior, junior and cadet levels. The collaboration will integrate IIS’ high-performance expertise into national coaching camps and athlete development initiatives, with a focus on sports science, strength & conditioning, recovery, performance analytics and international-standard training support.

Sanjay Kumar Singh, President, Wrestling Federation of India, said: “We are pleased to continue our association with Inspire Institute of Sport and JSW in our collective mission to strengthen Indian wrestling. Their expertise in athlete development and high-performance systems has added significant value to our national programme, and we believe this renewed partnership will further enhance the preparation and performance of our wrestlers across all levels.”

Under the agreement, IIS will continue to work alongside WFI in supporting national camps and athlete development programmes, while providing world-class performance support systems to help Indian wrestlers prepare for international competition.

Speaking on the partnership, Manisha Malhotra, President, Inspire Institute of Sport, said: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with the Wrestling Federation of India. At IIS, we remain committed to creating a world-class high-performance environment that enables Indian athletes to realise their full potential. We look forward to continuing our support for Indian wrestling and contributing to its long-term growth.”

The agreement also provides for continued collaboration on high-performance planning, athlete support initiatives and branding opportunities, further strengthening the long-term relationship between IIS and WFI.

The renewed collaboration underscores IIS and JSW’s continued commitment to strengthening India’s Olympic sporting ecosystem by building sustainable high-performance systems and enabling Indian wrestlers to compete successfully on the world stage.

Mumbai, July 3, 2026: S8UL, a global name in esports and gaming content, has onboarded YouTube as an Official Partner for its Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 campaign, marking a full-circle moment for the organization. The collaboration will bring the creator community to the forefront through a series of on-ground and digital activations that offer fans unprecedented access to S8UL’s biggest international campaign to date.

A key highlight of the campaign is the return of S8UL’s popular Gaming House Watch Parties at its state-of-the-art facility in Kharghar. First introduced during the organization’s EWC 2025 campaign, the community tradition returns on a significantly larger scale this year, bringing fans together with S8UL’s creators to experience every major match, celebration, and milestone throughout the tournament.

The collaboration will also introduce YouTube Day at the S8UL Gaming House, a nationwide creator initiative open to YouTube creators. Ten selected creators will spend a day at the iconic Gaming House, collaborating with S8UL creators through livestreams, Shorts, vlogs, and exclusive content created for YouTube.

Extending beyond the Gaming House, S8UL will launch the YouTube UGC Station as part of its India Tour across more than 15 cities. The activation will encourage fans to become creators through city-specific content challenges, collaborations, and opportunities to be featured across S8UL’s official YouTube channels.

Complementing these fan-first initiatives is an exclusive long-form EWC Squad Vlog, available exclusively on YouTube. Following more than 50 esports athletes and over 20 creators throughout the tournament, the documentary-style content will capture the complete EWC journey, including arrivals, preparations, Gaming House moments, competition, and celebrations. Fans will also be invited to create and share their own edits and highlights, further extending the community’s participation in S8UL’s journey.

Commenting on the partnership, Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, said, “Some partnerships are built around visibility. This one is built on shared history. Every milestone in S8UL’s journey has been made possible by the community that has supported us over the years, and YouTube has always been where that relationship came to life. This partnership for our Esports World Cup campaign is about creating an experience that goes beyond competition. Ultimately, we want to celebrate the people who have been part of our journey while creating opportunities for many more to be part of it, whether they’re watching from the Gaming House, creating content in their own cities, or following every moment from Paris.”

The collaboration celebrates the platform that has been integral to S8UL’s evolution. Long before sold-out events, international championships, and global recognition, YouTube was where S8UL’s creators published their first videos, built loyal communities, and established the foundation of one of the world’s leading esports and gaming organizations and continue to push the boundaries of creative storytelling. As S8UL prepares to compete on the world’s biggest esports stage, the partnership reflects the organization’s commitment to taking the community that shaped its journey along with it.

“YouTube is a natural home for gaming fandoms, where communities come together to connect with their favorite creators and players. S8UL has been an integral part of shaping the Indian gaming ecosystem, building a deep and engaged community on YouTube. We are happy to support their Esports World Cup 2026 campaign, representing a great opportunity for fans across India to share in the excitement and stay close to the tournament and the creators they love every step of the way,” said Niharika Pande, Head of Creator Partnerships – India, YouTube.

The announcement marks another significant milestone in S8UL’s EWC 2026 campaign. The organization had previously announced Campa Energy as the Title Sponsor for its EWC campaign, followed by a strategic partnership with AMD to power its competitive and content initiatives throughout the tournament.

Having been selected for the EWC’s Club Partner Program for the second consecutive year, S8UL has already secured qualification in six titles: Apex Legends, Chess, Fortnite, Free Fire MAX, Honor of Kings, and Trackmania. The organization also remains in contention for qualification in EA SPORTS FC, Fatal Fury, Street Fighter 6, and Tekken 8. Alongside fielding elite international talent, S8UL has continued to strengthen Indian representation across its competitive ecosystem.

Scheduled to take place from July 6 to August 23, the EWC 2026 will feature a record-breaking prize pool of USD 75 million (approximately INR 715 crore), bringing together more than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries.

Hyderabad: 23^rd June, 2026: The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) Hyderabad has announced its partnership as the Platinum Sponsor for the inaugural TG20 Cricket League. As Telangana’s very first franchise based T20 cricket tournament, this landmark initiative by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) marks a monumental shift in the state’s sporting landscape and heralds the launch of Telangana’s first franchise based T20 league.

As a Platinum Sponsor, CREDAI Hyderabad is supporting the development of cricket in Telangana and providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. The partnership reflects the long-standing commitment to sports development. Through this premium partnership, CREDAI Hyderabad reinforces its long-standing corporate social responsibility pillars of youth empowerment, community building, and holistic regional development.

CREDAI Hyderabad extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Hyderabad Cricket Association for this visionary initiative. The TG20 League, featuring eight city franchises, 32 matches and a strong mandate to include district level talent, is a bold and meaningful step towards creating a robust cricketing ecosystem in Telangana.

As part of the opening proceedings of the league, Mr N. Jaideep Reddy, President, CREDAI Hyderabad, had the honour of presenting the Super Striker of the Match award, underscoring CREDAI Hyderabad’s commitment not just to building homes and infrastructure, but also to building communities and celebrating the spirit that binds them. As a part of the engagement CREDAI Hyderabad will reward the Super Striker of each match and the Super Striker of the tournament.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. N. Jaideep Reddy, President, CREDAI Hyderabad, said, “The partnership reflects CREDAI Hyderabad’s commitment towards supporting regional sporting talent and strengthening its connection with young audiences through one of India’s most celebrated sports platforms. We congratulate the Hyderabad Cricket Association for this landmark initiative, which has given Telangana its first official T20 cricket league and created a platform for young talent to shine.”

Ritu Phogat is a Commonwealth Wrestling Gold medallist and Asian Games Bronze medallist. She has recently successfully transitioned from wrestling to mixed martial arts (MMA) with ONE Championship. Known as “The Indian Tigress,” she became the first Indian woman to reach a ONE Championship MMA World Grand Prix final.

The association reflects Jerai Fitness’s evolving focus on elite athletic performance, strength training, and credibility within the broader fitness ecosystem. As a trailblazer for women in Indian sport and a widely recognized figure among fitness enthusiasts, Ritu embodies the values of discipline, resilience, and excellence that align closely with the brand’s philosophy. The company also aims to strengthen its engagement with athletes, fitness professionals, and health-conscious consumers while reinforcing its position as a one-stop solution provider of fitness equipment.

Commenting on the announcement, Rajesh Rai, Chairman and Managing Director, Jerai Fitness, said, “ Ritu has built her career through years of dedication to training and competition at the highest level. Her journey resonates with athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, making her an ideal ambassador for Jerai Fitness, and we look forward to inspiring more people through this partnership.“

Speaking on the association, Ritu Phogat said, “Strength training has been the foundation of my journey, from wrestling mats to the MMA cage. I’m proud to partner with a homegrown brand like Jerai Fitness that is helping athletes and fitness enthusiasts train better with their equipment. I’m excited to represent a company that shares my commitment to performance, hard work, and continuous improvement.”

With Ritu Phogat joining the Jerai Fitness family, the company looks forward to inspiring a new generation of fitness enthusiasts and athletes to embrace strength training and pursue their fitness goals with confidence and determination.

Representing the men’s teams at the ceremony were Delhi Redz’ Captain Patrick Odongo, Hyderabad Heroes’ Captain Manuel Moreno, Kolkata Banga Tigers’ Captain Ricardo Duarttee, Chennai Bulls’ Captain Santiago Alvarez, Mumbai Dreamers’ Captain Impi Visser and Bengaluru Bravehearts’ Captain Ngarohi McGarvey-Black.

Representing the women’s teams Delhi Redz’ Captain Eden Kilgour, Kolkata Banga Tigers’ Captain Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Chennai Bulls’ Captain Chantelle Miell and Mumbai Dreamers’ Captain Abigail Brown.

Ahead of the unveiling, Mr. Rahul Bose conducted a Rugby Primer along with 6 boys and 6 girls from Telangana Rugby, highlighting five key aspects of the game:

• Run Forward, Pass Backward: Players advance towards the opposition’s try line but can only pass the ball sideways or backwards to teammates.

• Tackle to Win Possession: Defenders stop the attacking team by tackling the player carrying the ball.

• Release the Ball After a Tackle: Once tackled, a player must immediately place or release the ball behind them, allowing teammates to continue play.

• Kick as a Tactical Weapon: Players can kick the ball forward to gain territory or create attacking opportunities, with teammates chasing to regain possession.

• Score a Try: The objective of the game is to carry the ball over the opposition’s try line and ground it to score a try.

Asia’s first high-performance centre to deploy Feldspar smart surface technology 

Partnership marks a new era of data-driven athlete development in India, with a long-term vision to build one of the world’s leading centres for elite sports performance 

Mumbai, June 15, 2026: JSW, The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and Feldspar Group Holdings Limited (“Feldspar”) announces a long-term strategic partnership that positions IIS as the first high-performance sporting institution in Asia to deploy Feldspar’s sensor-embedded smart surface technology.

Competing in Group B of the continental qualifier held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, India defeated Sri Lanka, Jordan and Kazakhstan to finish atop the group with three wins from three matches.

India began its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka on June 12 before recording back-to-back 1-0 wins against Jordan and Kazakhstan on June 13 to complete an unbeaten run through the group stage.

The Indian squad was led by captain Akshaj Shenoy and featured Sanindhya Malik, Aakash Shandilya, Mihir Ranjan, Rahul Bisht and Ahmed Shahid.

The League of Legends Asian Games Qualifier featured 14 nations divided into four groups. Group A comprised Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Pakistan, while Group C included Malaysia, Hong Kong China and Kyrgyzstan. Group D featured Viet Nam, Laos and Mongolia.

Speaking after the qualification, India captain Akshaj Shenoy said;

“I am extremely proud of the whole team for delivering a spectacular performance and securing a clean 3-0 record in our group. We are super happy that years of practice and perseverance have finally paid off on an international stage, allowing us to showcase India’s potential to the rest of the world. A big thank you to ESFI for facilitating our success and supporting us from the very beginning.”

The qualification marks another significant achievement for Indian esports and reinforces the country’s growing stature in continental competition. Having recorded its best-ever Asian Games esports finish with a fifth-place result in League of Legends at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, India will head to Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with ambitions of improving on that performance and securing the nation’s first-ever esports medal at the Asian Games since the discipline’s formal inclusion in the Games programme in 2022.

“This undefeated qualifying run is a proud moment for Indian esports and a testament to the squad’s relentless dedication, discipline, and preparation. Building on our historic achievement at the Hangzhou Asian Games, our focus now shifts entirely to Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The objective is clear — to make history once again and secure India’s first-ever Asian Games esports medal.”— Lokesh Suji, Honorary General Secretary, ESFI

With League of Legends confirmed as a medal event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, India will now turn its focus towards preparations for the prestigious multi-sport event scheduled to be held in Japan later this year.