The Rise of Padel and the Hexagon Cup’s Unique Format

Padel, a racquet sport blending elements of tennis and squash, is experiencing a surge in popularity globally, and India is no exception. With an estimated one million players already participating across major metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR, the sport is quickly establishing a dedicated following. The GENERALI Hexagon Cup stands at the forefront of this exciting evolution.

Taking place from January 28 to February 1, 2026, at the iconic Caja Mágica in Madrid, the Hexagon Cup distinguishes itself through a unique team-based format. Eight franchise teams, each comprised of male, female, and Next Gen players strategically drafted to create balanced lineups, will compete over four days. This innovative approach fosters dynamic pairings and strategic gameplay rarely seen in traditional padel tournaments.

The tournament boasts an impressive roster of talent, featuring 18 of the world’s top 20 players, including stars like Agustín Tapia, Arturo Coello, Gemma Triay, and Delfina Brea. Beyond the athletic prowess, the Hexagon Cup attracts significant attention thanks to its high-profile team owners, a roster that includes celebrities like Eva Longoria, Pierre Gasly, Robert Lewandowski, Anthony Joshua, Andy Murray, and Kun Agüero. This blend of sporting excellence and celebrity ownership elevates the Hexagon Cup to a unique position within the global sports landscape.

FanCode’s commitment to showcasing fast-growing international sports is exemplified by this acquisition. FanCode recognizes the potential of padel in India and aims to accelerate its growth by providing Indian viewers with unparalleled access to the world’s best players and the tournament’s innovative format.

Yannick Colaco, co-founder of FanCode, emphasized the growing interest in padel within India, stating, “Padel is at a very exciting inflection point in India. We’re seeing strong interest from urban, affluent audiences who are discovering the sport both as participants and as fans. By bringing the Hexagon Cup 2026 exclusively to FanCode, we want to give Indian viewers access to the very best of global padel, the biggest stars, innovative formats, and world-class production, and play a role in accelerating the sport’s growth in the country.”

Astrid Thams, Commercial Managing Director at Hexagon, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Bringing the Hexagon Cup to India is a strategic step in establishing padel as a truly global sport. We want more people to experience the excitement of our tournaments, the talent of the world’s best players, and the innovation of our team-based format. Our goal is to build fan communities worldwide and bring padel to places where it hasn’t yet made a significant impact.”

Tim Godfrey, Strategic Advisor Broadcast and Media, Hexagon Cup, highlighted India’s importance as a growth market, saying, “India is one of the most exciting growth markets for padel right now, with strong momentum in participation and a rapidly emerging fan culture. Partnering with FanCode is a powerful step for the Hexagon Cup, allowing us to reach new audiences through a platform that truly understands how Indian sports fans consume content today. We’re proud to bring the world’s best players and our unique team format to India, and to be part of the sport’s next chapter of global growth.”

Could the Hexagon Cup’s team-based format be the key to unlocking padel’s mainstream appeal? And how will FanCode leverage its platform to cultivate a dedicated fan base in India?

Frequently Asked Questions About the GENERALI Hexagon Cup and FanCode’s Broadcast

1. What is the GENERALI Hexagon Cup? The GENERALI Hexagon Cup is a premier team-based padel tournament featuring the world’s top players and a unique draft format.
2. Where will the 2026 Hexagon Cup take place? The 2026 GENERALI Hexagon Cup will be held at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain.
3. How can I watch the Hexagon Cup in India? Indian fans can exclusively watch the GENERALI Hexagon Cup 2026 on FanCode.
4. What makes the Hexagon Cup different from other padel tournaments? The Hexagon Cup’s team-based format, with players drafted into franchise teams, sets it apart from traditional individual or doubles padel competitions.
5. Who are some of the star players competing in the Hexagon Cup? The tournament will feature top-ranked players such as Agustín Tapia, Arturo Coello, Gemma Triay, and Delfina Brea.
6. Is padel gaining popularity in India? Yes, padel is rapidly growing in popularity in India, particularly in major cities, with an estimated one million players having tried the sport.