14 November @ 8:00 am – 15 November @ 5:00 pm
South Africa’s sporting legends are swapping their usual playing fields for the padel court as the Sunbet Padel Invitational heads to Sun City on 14 and 15 November 2026. Now entering its third edition, the tournament is expanding its footprint with a weekend that brings together sporting icons, media personalities, content creators and everyday padel enthusiasts.
But this isn’t just about famous faces picking up a racket. It’s about the growing intersection of sport, entertainment and lifestyle culture — and how a fast-growing sport is creating new ways for South Africans to connect.
From the Stadium to the Padel Court
Founded by media personality and entrepreneur Kriya Gangiah in partnership with Sunbet, the invitational has built its identity around taking familiar names out of their comfort zones and putting them into a different competitive environment.
Following previous editions in Pretoria and Durban, the tournament’s move to Sun City signals a bigger ambition for an event that blends athletic competition with entertainment and social connection.
The appeal is easy to understand. Padel offers a fast-paced, social alternative to traditional racket sports, making it accessible to players who want competition without necessarily committing to a professional sporting career. Its doubles format also places communication, teamwork and quick reactions at the centre of the game.
For South Africa‘s urban crowd, that combination of sport and social culture is a compelling proposition.
Sporting Legends Meet Entertainment Royalty
The 2026 line-up brings together names from across South African sport, including former Springboks Morne Steyn, Juandré Kruger and Wynand Olivier, alongside former Bafana Bafana stars Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, Andre Arendse and Bongani Khumalo.
Former Proteas cricketer Paul Adams and Springbok Women scrumhalf Rumandi Potgieter also join the mix, adding further sporting pedigree to the court.
Entertainment and media personalities will bring another dimension to the competition. Stacey Holland, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Roxy Burger, Sasha Martinengo, Nolo Pongolo and Tansey Coetzee are among the confirmed participants, alongside a wider group of creators and familiar faces.
The interesting twist? These personalities won’t simply be occupying the sidelines. They’ll be competing in a setting where sporting reputations count for less than teamwork, adaptability and the ability to keep a rally alive.
With padel specialists Debbie Van Aswegan and Hanns Spangenberg also involved, the event promises a blend of celebrity appeal and genuine court experience.
Fans Can Get Into the Game
One of the event’s biggest draws is that spectators won’t need to pay an admission fee to watch the action.
The Sunbet Padel Invitational will welcome registered spectators to Sun Padel at Sun City from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days. Registration is required, and visitors must also meet Sun City’s entry requirements.
For players who want more than a seat on the sidelines, public registration offers the chance to be selected to play alongside some of the country’s sporting and entertainment personalities.
That opportunity brings a participatory element to the event, opening the door for ordinary padel players to become part of the experience rather than simply watching from a distance.
More Than a Weekend of Competition
The invitational arrives at a time when sport increasingly overlaps with creator culture, live entertainment and lifestyle experiences. Events like this offer brands and audiences a shared space, while giving fans a different way to engage with personalities they usually encounter through television, radio and social media.
Supported by Sunbet, Sun City, Heineken, Lepas and Jacaranda FM, the third edition is positioning itself as a meeting point for competition, community and entertainment.
Whether you’re a dedicated padel player, a sports fan curious to see former professionals try something different, or simply looking for a weekend experience, the Sunbet Padel Invitational offers a reason to head to Sun City.
Event Details
- Venue: Sun Padel, Sun City
- Spectator entry: Free, with online registration and Sun City entry requirements
- Player registration: Visit padelinvitational.co.za for details and registration opportunities.
Two days, a stacked line-up and plenty of friendly rivalry — the court is set for a different kind of sporting weekend.
