CUPRA has been confirmed as an Official Co-Sponsor of the Hiscox Padel Irish Open 2026, adding another significant commercial partner to one of the fastest-growing events on the Irish sporting calendar.
The tournament, now in its second year and elevated to FIP Silver status, will take place at St Mary’s College RFC in Templeogue, Dublin, from July 15th to 19th. Admission will be free, with registration available through padelirishopen.ie.
CUPRA’s involvement is a strong fit with the sport, both internationally and in Ireland. The Spanish performance car brand has been one of padel’s most visible global supporters since 2019, when it became an official sponsor of the International Padel Federation. It is also the naming partner of the CUPRA FIP Tour, a key part of the international competition structure which has helped to support the sport’s rapid expansion.
With a presence across more than 110 countries, CUPRA has built its padel activity across international tours, national federations and local clubs. That global support has mirrored the remarkable growth of the sport, which has moved from being a niche racquet game in a small number of markets to one of the fastest-growing participation sports in the world.
The connection is also well established in Ireland. CUPRA Ireland is now in its fourth consecutive year as the headline sponsor of the Padel Federation of Ireland, supporting the Irish National Padel Team and the national ranking Irish Padel Tour.
That partnership has played an important role in professionalising the sport here, supporting both elite performance and the broader growth in participation. The emergence of the Hiscox Padel Irish Open as an international tournament in Dublin is another marker of how quickly the sport has developed.
At this year’s event, CUPRA will bring a strong experiential element to the tournament. The brand will host a DJ booth in the Family Village across the Family Fun Weekend on July 18th and 19th, adding live entertainment to the on-court action and helping to create a festival feel around the event.
The activation is designed to broaden the appeal of the tournament beyond the core padel audience, making it a day out for families, new fans and those discovering the sport for the first time.
“It’s been incredible to see how quickly padel has grown across Ireland over the past few years, and we’re proud that CUPRA has played a role in that journey through our partnership with the Padel Federation of Ireland,” said Marcelino Villalobos, CUPRA Ireland Brand Director.
“Supporting the Hiscox Padel Irish Open is a natural extension of that commitment. We look forward to welcoming players and spectators for a fantastic week that showcases the very best of the sport.”
The Hiscox Padel Irish Open will bring international players to Dublin at a time when the sport is continuing to attract new venues, new players and new commercial partners across Ireland.
The elevation to FIP Silver status is an important step for the tournament, placing it within a stronger tier of international competition and giving Irish players and fans a chance to experience a higher level of the game on home soil.
With Hiscox as title sponsor, CUPRA now on board as Official Co-Sponsor, and a free-entry model designed to encourage strong public attendance, the 2026 edition of the Padel Irish Open has the potential to be another important staging post in the sport’s growth in Ireland.
The Padel Federation of Ireland and ForeFront Sports are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: Cupra and ForeFront Sports
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