The Veneto Padel Cup marked a decisive moment in the evolution of international padel with the launch of the first-ever FIP Platinum tournament, a new top-tier category within the Cupra FIP Tour. Presented in Conegliano in the presence of local authorities and international sports executives, the event confirmed its ambition to become one of the most influential platforms in modern padel.
With a redesigned structure, expanded international participation, and a significantly upgraded competitive format, the tournament established itself as a reference point for both professional and amateur circuits.
A Landmark Presentation in Conegliano
The official presentation of the Finals took place with the participation of key figures, including:
- Fabio Chies, Mayor of Conegliano
- Andrea Tomat, President and CEO of Lotto Sport Italia
- Paolo Battacchi, General Manager of the Veneto Padel Cup
During the announcement, organizers emphasized the rapid evolution of the event and its transformation from a regional initiative into a large-scale international competition.
The first edition had already proven successful, bringing together more than 400 athletes, both professional and amateur, across multiple venues in the Veneto region, with finals hosted in Padua.
A Stronger, More International Vision
The new edition of the Veneto Padel Cup was designed with a clear objective: to expand its international reach and elevate its sporting prestige.
The tournament structure was divided into three main competitive blocks, running across nearly two weeks of play and activity, from early September through the final weekend.
This format reinforced the event’s identity as a hybrid competition combining elite sport, development pathways, and mass participation.
FIP Platinum: A Historic Debut
At the center of the tournament was the launch of the first FIP Platinum event in the world, held in collaboration with the International Padel Federation.
The organizers expressed gratitude to the FIP and its president, Luigi Carraro, for selecting the Veneto Padel Cup as the launch platform for this new category.
Key features of the FIP Platinum:
- 200 ranking points awarded to winners
- Double the points of FIP Gold tournaments
- 50 points more than FIP Finals
- Equal status for men’s and women’s competitions
- €120,000 total prize money (€60,000 per gender)
This new category immediately positioned itself as the highest level within the Cupra FIP Tour, while maintaining the standard competition format of 32 main draw pairs and qualifying rounds open to all rankings.
Tournament Structure and Competitive Format
The FIP Platinum followed a classic but highly competitive structure:
- 32 pairs in the main draw
- Up to 32 additional pairs in qualification
- No ranking restrictions in the qualifying phase
This open structure ensured a mix of established international players and emerging talents, increasing unpredictability and competitive depth from the very first rounds.
Master Tournament: Elite Professionals in Action
Following the Platinum event, attention shifted to the VPC Master Tournament, which featured professional players ranked within the top 300.
A unique feature of this edition was the inclusion of additional players who qualified through international circuits, particularly from tournaments organized across the Americas between March and August.
These qualification events spanned:
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Uruguay
- Brazil
This global qualification system significantly widened the competitive pool and reinforced the international character of the event.
Open Tournament: Europe-Wide Qualification Network
Running in parallel with the professional events, the VPC Open Tournament offered a structured pathway for non-professional players.
Qualification system:
- Around 30 tournaments across Europe
- Hosted in top clubs across multiple countries
- Participating nations included:
Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Malta, Lithuania, Ireland, Croatia, Montenegro, Denmark, and Italy
Winners from these events earned the right to compete in the final stages of the Veneto Padel Cup.
More than 3,000 players took part in the Open qualification system alone, highlighting the scale of participation and the growing popularity of padel across Europe.
Player Experience and International Rewards
All participants in the Open qualification tournaments received official welcome kits provided by Lotto and Heroe’s.
Beyond equipment and participation, the rewards extended further:
- Heroe’s padel rackets for winners
- Lotto products for top performers
- Finals qualification opportunities
The most distinctive prize package was reserved for finalists, semi-finalists, and winners, including:
- A flight and accommodation package
- Participation in a Padel Clinic at Padel IN Club in Doha
- Free access to the Padel World Championship in Qatar
This global reward structure added a unique international incentive layer rarely seen in amateur-level competitions.
A Unique Final Format in Conegliano
One of the most innovative aspects of the Veneto Padel Cup was its unified final stage format.
For the first time, the event brought together:
- Professional players (FIP Platinum and Master)
- Amateur players (Open Tournament)
All finals were hosted in the same arena in Conegliano and played during the same period, creating a shared sporting environment across all levels of competition.
This approach reinforced the event’s identity as a single integrated ecosystem rather than separate tournaments.
A Global Network Behind the Tournament
The Veneto Padel Cup was supported by a wide international qualification network:
- Nearly 40 tournaments worldwide
- More than 20 participating countries
- Coverage spanning Europe and the Americas
- Thousands of participating athletes across all levels
This structure positioned the VPC as one of the most internationally connected padel events in the world.
Social Responsibility and Community Impact
Beyond sport, the Veneto Padel Cup maintained a strong social commitment.
The event continued its partnership with Fondazione Dynamo Camp Onlus, supporting children and adolescents suffering from chronic illnesses, those undergoing treatment, and their families.
A percentage of ticket sales was dedicated to this initiative, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to social responsibility alongside sporting excellence.
Final Perspective
The FIP Platinum edition of the Veneto Padel Cup represented a turning point for professional padel competition structure.
By introducing a new top-tier category, expanding global qualification networks, and integrating amateur and professional finals into a single event format, the tournament established a model that blends sport, international cooperation, and social impact.
More than just a competition, it became a demonstration of how padel is evolving into a truly global sport with deep competitive roots and an expanding international ecosystem.