Cancún Opens FIP Junior America Padel Cup With 11 Nations

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Cancún welcomed 11 national teams Monday night as the FIP Junior America Padel Cup 2026 opened at Journey Pádel Arena, launching five days of competition that will send the continent’s top young players to the 2027 Junior World Championship.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Paraguay, Panama, Venezuela, Uruguay and Mexico paraded before spectators amid applause, chants, mariachi music, lights and fireworks at the eleventh edition of the tournament.

Jacobo Arzate Hop, president of the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (Codeq), attended on behalf of Governor Mara Lezama and stressed the value of hosting international events in a state he described as a world leader in sports tourism.

“On behalf of our governor, Mara Lezama, I want to congratulate all the competitors, because we had the dream of bringing the best of the continent to Latin America’s most important court and we achieved it,” Arzate said. He also welcomed the parents who traveled to Cancún and wished the players a great tournament.

The Codeq president praised the vision and persistence of Aldo Vidal, who backed padel when the sport was still taking shape and has since seen it become a sporting phenomenon in Mexico and abroad. He thanked the Mexican Padel Federation for choosing the state as host once again.

Vidal, CEO and general director of Journey Pádel Arena Cancún, opened the ceremony with a warm message to the delegations. “Welcome to your home, Journey Pádel. It is a pleasure to receive you and to wish you great success. Cancún, Quintana Roo, is your home. This is Mexico — long live padel!” he said.

Benito Juárez Mayor Ana Paty Peralta drew some of the loudest reactions as she greeted the young athletes, sent her best wishes to the Mexican team and acknowledged the families who made the trip. “You won’t regret it, Cancún is your home!” she told them.

Jorge Mañé, president of the Mexican Padel Federation, highlighted the high competitive level of the event, whose main prize is qualification for the 2027 Junior World Championship. He called Journey Pádel Arena and Cancún an extraordinary host and invited fans from across Quintana Roo to come watch the players who represent the future of padel in the Americas.

The ceremony included a flag ceremony led by the honor guard and marching band of the National Guard’s 31st State Coordination in Quintana Roo, along with the athletes’ oath taken by Mexico’s Bernardo Garibay and Venezuela’s Ornela Beltramino, who pledged to compete with respect and fair play.

Play continues at Journey Pádel Arena through Nov. 14.