South Africa‘s sporting landscape could be getting a new entertainment heavyweight, and it isn’t built around football, rugby or cricket. It’s built around a racket, a glass-walled court and a sport that is quickly finding its place in the country’s social scene.
Media personality and entrepreneur Kriya Gangiah is on a mission to turn the SunBet Padel Invitational into one of South Africa‘s flagship sporting events. What began as a personal passion for padel has developed into a growing celebrity sporting experience, bringing together athletes, entertainers, media personalities, brands and everyday enthusiasts.
The next chapter unfolds at Sun City on 14 and 15 November 2026, where the tournament returns with bigger ambitions and a broader entertainment offering.
From Personal Passion to a Sporting Platform
For Gangiah, the idea wasn’t born in a boardroom or through a commercial opportunity. It started with the impact padel had on her own life.
The sport helped her build new friendships, expand her social circles, become more active and step outside her comfort zone. As she discovered how many people in her media circles shared the same enthusiasm, an opportunity became clear: why should the experience be limited to a small group?
That thinking inspired the celebrity-versus-padel-enthusiast concept behind the SunBet Padel Invitational.
It’s an interesting shift in how sporting events can be experienced. Instead of simply watching established athletes compete, audiences get an opportunity to see familiar personalities discover, enjoy and sometimes struggle with a sport that is becoming increasingly popular.
Why Padel Is Finding Its Place in Mzansi
Padel’s appeal lies in its accessibility. You don’t need years of sporting experience or exceptional technical ability to enjoy a game. The combination of tennis and squash-inspired gameplay makes it relatively easy for newcomers to pick up.
More importantly, it offers something beyond competition: connection.
For young professionals, creatives and urban communities looking for ways to stay active and meet new people, padel offers a social alternative to traditional fitness routines.
Gangiah believes this accessibility is a major reason behind its growing appeal, particularly among people in their 30s who want to become more active without necessarily committing to an intimidating sporting environment.
The SunBet Padel Invitational taps into that lifestyle shift, positioning sport as an opportunity to connect, network and have fun.
Celebrity Culture Meets Sporting Entertainment
Over its first two years, the tournament has evolved beyond its original sporting focus.
Initially centred largely on sports personalities, the event has expanded to include people from South Africa‘s media, entertainment and lifestyle industries.
But assembling celebrity teams is more complicated than putting famous faces together. Gangiah explains that the organisers consider everything from playing ability and personality to professional backgrounds and individual interests.
The objective is to create balanced match-ups where personalities complement one another and the competition remains entertaining.
This year also introduces golf to the experience, with selected celebrities and VVIP guests taking part in a round alongside the padel programme.
The addition creates opportunities to expand the event’s hospitality and networking appeal while building connections between two sports with increasingly overlapping audiences.
A Five-Year Ambition That Goes Beyond the Court
Gangiah isn’t thinking about the SunBet Padel Invitational as just another annual celebrity gathering.
Her five-year ambition is to build an event capable of standing alongside established South African sporting properties such as the Nedbank Golf Challenge and SA20.
It’s an ambitious target, but the tournament’s growing commercial interest suggests that its potential extends beyond the matches themselves.
With partnerships involving SunBet, Sun City, Heineken, Lepas and Jacaranda FM, the platform is creating opportunities for brands to connect with audiences through sport, entertainment and shared experiences.
Crucially, public access remains part of the vision.
Spectators can register for free entry to watch the action, although registration and entry into Sun City are required.
Where Sport, Lifestyle and Community Meet
The SunBet Padel Invitational reflects a wider evolution in South African entertainment: sporting events are increasingly becoming lifestyle destinations.
People want more than a result or a trophy. They want experiences, personalities, social connections and opportunities to participate in something new.
For Gangiah, the challenge now is turning that initial excitement into a sustainable sporting property with a recognisable identity and a lasting place on the country’s events calendar.
If that vision becomes reality, padel could offer South Africa more than another sporting craze. It could create a new space where sport, entertainment, business and community meet.
