Naples Becomes the International Capital of Sport with Padelness
Hold onto your rackets, folks! From November 22nd to 24th, Naples is trading in its pizza for padel and fitness, claiming the title of the international capital of sport with the highly-anticipated Padelness event. If you thought the only thing worth attending in Naples was the breathtaking coastline or historical ruins, think again! Located at the Mostra d’Oltremare, this event is set to have you sweating more than a stand-up comedian in a room full of hecklers.
Now, I hear you asking, “What on earth is padel?” Well, imagine if tennis, squash, and a slightly overzealous game of ping pong had a love child. Padel is to tennis what a cheeseboard is to a Michelin-star meal—still delightful but with just a hint of cheeky fun. And get this: This fair is pulling in participants not just from Italy but from 15 countries, including Spain, Argentina, and the United States. Talk about a global sporting fiesta!
The masterminds behind this mega-event are Marianna Perruno and Massimiliano Esofaco. I must say, they deserve a standing ovation for aligning padel and fitness. It’s like they’ve somehow managed to marry Cinderella with Iron Man. And what’s a wedding without a lavish prize? The FIP RISE Open tournament will witness thrilling competitions with a prize pool of €15,000. That’s a lot of dough for hitting a fuzzy ball!
Oh, and speaking of celebrity appearances, brace yourselves! The renowned Vida Macura Maglica and the electrifying Jill Cooper will be making guest appearances. I can already hear the echo of heartbeats racing and jaws dropping from fans everywhere.
But wait, there’s more! The lineup also includes former Serie A footballers getting in on the action, with recognizable names like Nick Amoruso and Alessandro Budel picking up their padel paddles. I must admit, watching them trade their soccer cleats for rackets promises to be as entertaining as the infamous “kick it like Beckham” commercial.
For those of you feeling a bit less competitive and a lot more curious, you’ll be glad to know that Padelness is open to everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone still trying to understand which end to hold your racket, there’s something for you. With free lessons, workshops, fitness stages, and even an area dedicated to relaxation and recovery, it’s practically a wellness retreat with a twist of adrenaline.
Plus, let’s not forget about the various conventions and conferences planned, where experts will speak on topics ranging from sport and business to the importance of sleep in sport. Who knew padel could lead to such intellectual discourse as well? I mean, that’s a plot twist right there—a sport that brings thought leaders together while keeping your heart rate up.
With generous sponsorship from big names like Frecciarossa and various fitness brands, Padelness not only highlights Naples on the international sporting stage but brings along a multitude of charitable causes too. On November 22nd, there’s even a special event hosted by UNICEF to celebrate Children’s Rights Day. Nothing like combining sport with social responsibility. Bravo, Naples!
For those wanting to attend, tickets are available through this link and I’d recommend grabbing them faster than a racquet-wielding champion! So polish your shoes, stretch those legs, and get ready to indulge in a weekend of athletic marvel that is Padelness!
And for the eccentric amongst you, why not check out the entire program at www.padelness.it? After all, if you can’t beat ’em, you may as well join in the fun!
Naples is set to transform into the international capital of sport with the highly anticipated event Padelness, which will take place from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24. Running each day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, the fair will be hosted at the renowned Mostra d’Oltremare in Naples, specifically at the Viale Kennedy entrance in pavilions 4, 5, and 6. This landmark event marks the first of its kind in Italy, seamlessly blending the worlds of padel and fitness, a vision brought to life by the dedicated efforts of Marianna Perruno and Massimiliano Esofaco. They have successfully united leading representatives from both spheres, thereby placing Naples firmly at the epicenter of global sports. A highlight of the event is the FIP RISE Open women’s and men’s tournament by MCV, boasting an impressive prize fund of 15,000 euros. Anticipation surrounds the influx of players representing 15 different countries, including Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Georgia, Germany, Belgium, France, Holland, Sweden, Great Britain, Turkey, Denmark, Estonia, and the United States, all converging to compete in this prestigious competition. Key figures attending include Vida Macura Maglica, the prominent testimonial for Extreme Training®️ and a guest at Padelness 2024, alongside Jill Cooper, an esteemed international presenter and media personality.
In addition, the tournament will feature a deeply engaging match among former Serie A footballers, including notable names such as Nick Amoruso, Alessandro Budel, Emanuele Calaiò, German Denis, Mark Iuliano, Nicola Mora, Stefan Schwoch, and Ivano Trotta.
To capture the essence of Padelness from various viewpoints, renowned figures such as YouTuber Fabio Ferro, actress and content creator Mirea Flavia Stellato, and comedian Vincenzo Comunale will be in attendance.
As a model of sports tourism, Padelness benefits greatly from the prestigious support of main partner Frecciarossa, as well as collaborations with travel agency Planet Travel, alongside fitness titans Les Mills and Rex. Additionally, it garners institutional recognition with support from the Municipality of Naples – Department of Tourism and Productive Activities, together with the endorsements of RAI Campania, Campania Region, ARUS – Regional Universiade Agency, and CONI Campania. These organizations have embraced Padelness as a key event in the broader agenda of Naples, European Capital of Sport 2026. Other notable supporting bodies include USSI Campania, SUGC Unitary Union of Journalists Campania, and partner associations such as Telethon Foundation, Unicef, CIWAS – Italian Confederation of Wellness and Sports Activities for Health, Side by Side – Value through diversity, Susan G. Komen Italy, and Actonide. Moreover, on Friday, November 22, Unicef, in conjunction with Padelness and Giochi Uniti, will host the celebratory event titled “50 years of love for children,” in honor of Children’s and Adolescents’ Rights Day.
The fair will also host Radio Kiss Kiss as its official media partner, who will set up a special lounge area for interviews, live radio segments, DJ sets, and delightful aperitifs throughout the event.
Spanning three dynamic days at the Mostra d’Oltremare, Padelness is tailored for a diverse audience, including entrepreneurs, professional athletes, enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals. The event will feature both BtoB and BtoC opportunities centered around padel and fitness. Pavilion 4 will dedicate itself to fitness and wellness, presenting two distinct stages: the Padelness / Anfra stage for fitness and choreography and the Jacked stage for functional and holistic training. Attendees can explore thematic areas such as “biking in silence,” “calisthenics” led by Emanuele Limatola, “martial arts,” and “sleep and recovery.” Open lessons will be conducted suitable for everyone, with on-site booking available at the Rhyfel booth for the bike and headset for both the biking area and the silent walk scheduled on Sunday morning. Moreover, the wellness program includes a dedicated area for rest and recovery featuring the sleep & recovery relaxation area, where experts like Dr. Loris Bonamassa and colleagues Luciano Cagno and Alessandro Sommella will offer free sessions that unveil the secrets of champions.
Adding depth to the wellness offerings, an exclusive conference and workshop will unfold on Sunday morning, with live electromyography sessions taking place on stages and padel courts, narratively enriched by PTs and athletic trainers Giuseppe Zinno and Aldo Chiari, enhancing audience engagement.
The robust fitness program will feature not only Vida Macura Maglica and Jill Cooper, but also an array of talented trainers from Les Mills Italy. Renowned presenters will include Gil Lopes (from glp academy and gpassè), Guillermo Gonzalez Vega (specializing in glam dance), Sergio Gallotta (fit kombat expert), Gennaro Setola (flyboard master), and many more, each bringing unique skills to the experience.
The expansive pavilion 6 will feature two padel courts and one pickleball court, showcasing companies that specialize in producing padel courts, sports coverings, and equipment for athletic facilities. Pavilion 5 will come alive with the concluding stages of several tournaments: the FIP RISE Open by MCV, highlighted by commentary from journalist Alessandro Lupi, who will be joined by presenter Fabiola Cimminella on Sunday. Other showcased events include the 3rd category Kiss Kiss Padel Cup tournament, the 4th and 5th category Givova tournaments, friendly competitions featuring former Serie A footballers (collaborating with X3 For Three), amateur tournaments hosted by ipadelovers (a local group of padel enthusiasts), the USSI tournament, plus performances of padel champions and pros under 18, and competitions among athletes in wheelchairs facilitated by Mixed Padel.
This year’s program unveils educational clinics merging fitness with padel, featuring top national and international trainers, including masters from the Rafa Nadal Academy and other distinguished experts. They will be supported by personal trainers Giuseppe Zinno, Luca Novati, Andrea De Filippis, Manuela Cerbone, Gaia Scippa, and Stefania Pirozzi, tasked with guiding participants through warm-up routines and post-workout stretching.
Anticipation runs high for the exciting match-ups among the national and international padel champions competing in the FIP RISE MCV tournament, highlighting pairs such as Sargolini-Platania, semi-finalists at the Italian championships, along with the rising talent Giulia Dal Pozzo, and Chiara Pappacena, who played a pivotal role in securing third place in the world championships.
The event will also feature an array of informative conventions and conferences on various relevant topics, such as “#I DO IT WHY”, focusing on disability in sports hosted by Angela Procida, a Paralympic swimming champion, and David Obino, a dedicated athlete in basketball and padel. Another key discussion will encompass “Sport and Business,” presenting insights from the Bar Association of Naples and the Order of Accountants of Naples. Among the important topics, attendees can look forward to insights into the health protections for tennis and padel athletes delivered by Prof. Maurizio Marassi, and a discourse on the significance of sleep in sports facilitated by Dr. Loris Bonamassa.
Padelness is bolstered by a network of esteemed partners representing the essence of Made in Italy, including Giva (gold sponsor and technical partner); Matrix, Saint Benedict, Jaked, Sella Personal Credit, Chiquita, along with many more partners, collaborating to enrich the event and enhance the experience for all attendees.
Complete Padelness program
Tickets: www.azzurroservice.net
What key insights will participants gain from the workshops on nutrition and mental health at the Ng Champion event?
Ng champion, and other discussions led by esteemed speakers in the health and wellness sectors. This comprehensive program underscores the mission of **Padelness** to promote not just sports but a holistic lifestyle, enhancing physical, mental, and social well-being.
Participants can look forward to engaging workshops on nutrition, mental health in athletics, and injury prevention, ensuring that attendees of all ages and backgrounds can gain valuable insights. The culmination of the event promises to be a celebration of sport, fitness, and community, with every facet of the **Padelness** experience designed to inspire, educate, and entertain.
With convenient access via public transportation and ample parking, the event is set to attract a diverse crowd ready to explore the synergies between padel, fitness, and well-being. **Padelness** is not just an event; it’s a movement towards a healthier, more active future, leveraging Naples’ unique cultural vibrancy as a backdrop. Mark your calendars for November 22-24, and join the excitement at **Mostra d’Oltremare**, where sports, fitness, and community converge in an unforgettable celebration.
