Abu Dhabi will host a first-of-its-kind exhibition match at Space42 Arena
If you thought padel was just a casual weekend pastime, think again, because Abu Dhabi is about to turn the sport into must-see entertainment.
This Wednesday, 18 February, Space42 Arena at Al Raha Beach will host a one-night-only exhibition match featuring the world’s top padel players, Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia.
And yes, this is not your typical tour match; these two are splitting up their record-breaking partnership to face off against each other.
For years, Coello and Tapia have been unstoppable as a pair, boasting a jaw-dropping 90%+ match win rate, a 47-match winning streak, and thirteen titles in 2025 alone, including multiple major championships.
But this time, they’re shaking things up. Coello will team up with Jorge ‘Coki’ Nieto, the World No.7 who famously ended their winning streak at the 2024 Premier Padel Finals.
Tapia, meanwhile, will partner with Federico Chingotto, the Argentine World No.3 known for his lightning-fast defense and incredible court coverage. It’s like a superhero team-up split in half; fans won’t want to miss a second.
“The idea of bringing the world’s No.1 players head-to-head to Abu Dhabi is a big moment for the sport locally,” says Mohamad Yehya, General Manager of Space42 Arena.
And he’s not exaggerating. Padel is booming in the UAE, with clubs and courts popping up faster than you can say “smash”.
This exhibition is a rare chance for fans to see elite-level padel up close, watch the sparks fly, and maybe even pick up a trick or two from the pros.
Abu Dhabi has been carving out a reputation as a year-round destination for top-tier sporting events, from tennis to golf to motorsports.
Adding an exhibition of this calibre to the calendar just proves the city isn’t slowing down, and that padel is officially stepping into the big leagues.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just curious about the sport everyone’s talking about, Space42 Arena is the place to be this Wednesday, 18 February.
AED1,000. 18 February, 7pm. Space42 Arena at Al Raha Beach. For further information visit abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
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