Qatar to host 2026, 2028 FIP World Cup editions

DOHA: The International Padel Federation and the Qatar Padel Federation yesterday announced Doha as the host city for the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP World Cup, the most prestigious international competition for national teams.

Both editions will be held at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, a venue that has hosted some of the world’s most important international Padel events in recent years – including the Qatar Major Premier Padel four times, and the last World Team Championships – and has established itself as one of the sport’s leading destinations. newsbetting.club

FIP’s flagship biennial event will see 16 men’s national teams and 16 women’s national teams compete for the world title in the two editions awarded to Qatar. As confirmed in the official FIP calendar, the 2026 edition will take place from November 2 to 7.

The decision to award the hosting rights for the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cups to Doha was based on a series of key criteria, including the high quality of sporting infrastructure, the conditions offered to athletes and national delegations, proven experience in staging major international events, high safety standards, financial guarantees, and the strong sporting legacy developed by Qatar in recent years.

A further element reflecting the growth and ambition of the FIP World Cup is the prize money, which will reach unprecedented levels in the history of Padel and will be distributed equally between the men’s and women’s competitions.

The 2026 edition will offer a record prize fund of €1.2m, rising further to €1.35m in 2028. This represents the highest prize money ever awarded in an official Padel competition and underlines the commitment of FIP and the Qatar Padel Federation to further enhance the prestige of the event and showcase the highest level of competition among national teams.

“The awarding of the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP World Cup to Doha is a decision that looks to the future of our sport” said FIP President Luigi Carraro.

“Qatar has consistently demonstrated that it possesses all the necessary qualities to host world-class events, and awarding two consecutive editions of the World Cup to the country will provide continuity for the tournament’s growth, ensuring an outstanding experience for players, federations and fans”.

“Doha is one of the global homes of Padel. On more than one occasion it has demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional standards of organisation and hospitality, and it holds a special place in the history of international Padel. We are confident it will once again help write new and historic chapters in the story of our sport, with the invaluable contribution of the Qatar Padel Federation, whom I thank for its commitment and passion in supporting the growth of Padel worldwide”.

Tareq Zainal, Secretary General of the Qatar Padel Federation, said: “We are honoured by the International Padel Federation’s decision to award Doha the hosting rights for both the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cup. Having previously hosted the championship on two occasions, we are proud that Qatar continues to be entrusted with one of the sport’s most watched events”.

“This confidence reflects the dedication of the Qatar Padel Federation and all our partners to delivering world-class tournaments that meet the highest international standards. Hosting two consecutive editions presents a unique opportunity to build on our experience, further enhance the event, and create an exceptional experience for players, teams and fans from around the world. We look forward to welcoming the global Padel community back to Doha and contributing to the continued growth and success of our sport”.

Walk into two gyms with identical equipment, and the one with proper flooring will almost always feel safer, quieter, and more professional. Flooring is easy to overlook when planning a fitness space, yet it directly affects member safety, equipment lifespan, and even how a facility sounds to the people living or working nearby.

This guide breaks down the full benefits of shock-absorption flooring, so gym owners, facility managers, and home gym enthusiasts understand exactly why it deserves a serious place in the budget, not an afterthought.

What Is Shock-Absorption Flooring?

What is shock-absorption flooring, exactly? It’s flooring, typically rubber, engineered to compress and absorb impact energy from dropped weights, footfalls, and equipment vibration, rather than transferring that force directly into the subfloor or the user’s joints.

Unlike standard tiles or basic mats, shock-absorbent flooring is built with density and material composition specifically designed to manage repeated high-impact stress, which is exactly what happens on a daily basis in any active gym environment.

Joint Protection: The Most Important Benefit

The most immediate benefit of proper joint protection gym flooring is reduced strain on the knees, ankles, and lower back during high-impact movement.

• Jumping, plyometric work, and heavy footfalls create repeated impact forces
• Hard concrete or thin flooring transfers that force straight back into the body
• Shock-absorbing rubber compresses on impact, cushioning the load before it reaches the joints

For gyms running functional training, HIIT, or plyometric classes, this single benefit can meaningfully reduce member fatigue and injury risk over time.

Shock-Absorbing Gym Flooring Benefits for Weightlifting

Weightlifting areas face a different kind of stress: dropped barbells, plates, and dumbbells rather than repetitive footfalls. Shock-absorption flooring for weightlifting matters here for a distinct set of reasons.

• It protects the concrete subfloor from cracking under repeated heavy impact
• It reduces the risk of bounce-back injuries when a dropped plate rebounds off a hard surface
• It significantly extends the life of both the floor and the equipment sitting on it

Sports Village Qatar’s detailed guide on how thick gym flooring should be explains exactly how much rubber thickness different weightlifting zones require, from standard dumbbell areas to dedicated Olympic lifting platforms.

Noise Reduction: A Benefit That Protects Relationships, Not Just Floors

Noise reduction gym flooring is one of the most underrated benefits of shock-absorbing rubber, particularly for gyms and home setups located in shared or multi-story buildings.

• Impact noise from dropped weights and footfalls transfers through concrete far more easily than most people expect
• Rubber flooring dampens vibration before it reaches neighboring units or floors below
• This matters enormously for hotel gyms, apartment building gyms, and home gyms in residential towers, where noise complaints can directly affect a facility’s reputation

For anyone setting up a shock-absorbing flooring for home gym, this benefit alone often justifies the investment, especially in Doha’s apartment-heavy residential buildings.

Best Flooring for High-Impact Workouts

Not every activity produces the same impact profile, which is why the best flooring for high-impact workouts varies by training zone.

• Cardio zones typically need moderate-thickness rubber to absorb machine vibration
• General strength areas require denser rubber to handle both foot traffic and moderate weight drops
• Functional training and CrossFit zones need thicker, high-density rubber built to withstand jumping, sled pushes, and frequent weight drops
• Dedicated lifting platforms require the thickest specification, since these zones absorb the most concentrated impact force in any facility

Sports Village Qatar’s dedicated guide on the best flooring for CrossFit and functional training gyms breaks this down further by training style and athlete volume.

Anti-Fatigue Flooring Benefits Beyond the Weight Room

Shock absorption isn’t only relevant to heavy lifting. Anti-fatigue flooring benefits also apply to standing workstations, group fitness studios, and any area where users spend extended time on their feet.

• Reduces fatigue in the legs and lower back during long standing sessions
• Improves comfort during group classes involving repeated standing and movement transitions
• Adds a layer of slip resistance that improves overall safety underfoot

Rubber Gym Flooring Benefits for Equipment Longevity

Beyond protecting people, rubber gym flooring benefits extend directly to the equipment itself.

• Reduces vibration transfer that can loosen bolts and joints in machines over time
• Prevents scratching and denting from dropped plates or shifted equipment
• Protects wheels, frames, and undercarriages of cardio machines from constant vibration stress

Given how significant an investment commercial-grade equipment represents, protecting that investment with the right subfloor is a straightforward calculation. Sports Village Qatar’s commercial flooring solutions are built specifically around this durability requirement.

Impact-Resistant Flooring for Fitness: Material Considerations

When comparing impact-resistant flooring for fitness spaces, material composition matters as much as thickness.

• EPDM rubber is widely regarded for superior shock absorption under repeated heavy impact, particularly for weightlifting platforms
• Fire-resistant, anti-static rubber compounds are increasingly standard in commercial gyms, along with being free of PVC and halogens for safer indoor air quality
• Interlocking tiles offer easier installation and simpler spot-replacement if a section wears out, compared to full rolled flooring

Sports Village Qatar supplies rubber tiles in both standard one-square-meter formats and thicker specifications designed specifically for weightlifting areas.

Shock-Absorption Flooring for Home Gym Setups

Home gym owners face a slightly different set of priorities than commercial facilities, but shock absorption still matters significantly.

• Protects the actual building floor beneath your equipment, which matters for both owned and rented properties
• Reduces noise transfer to neighbors, especially in apartment buildings common across Doha
• Cushions dropped dumbbells or kettlebells during strength training sessions

Choosing the right thickness depends on your training style, light dumbbell use needs far less protection than heavy barbell drops, a distinction covered in more depth in Sports Village Qatar’s flooring thickness guide referenced above.

Durable Flooring for Commercial Gyms: A Long-Term Investment

For commercial facility owners, durable flooring for commercial gyms isn’t just about impact protection, it’s about total cost of ownership over years of continuous use.

• High-quality rubber resists cracking, splitting, and surface wear far longer than budget alternatives
• Reduces long-term maintenance and replacement costs compared to cheaper flooring that needs frequent repair
• Maintains a professional appearance that reflects well on the overall facility

Sports Village Qatar’s broader guide to equipping a new gym outlines how flooring fits into the complete facility planning process, from cardio zones through to dedicated lifting platforms.

Flooring for CrossFit and Weightlifting Areas: Special Considerations

Flooring for CrossFit and weightlifting areas carries the highest performance requirements of any gym zone, since these spaces combine heavy dropped weights with dynamic, high-impact movement.

• Dedicated lifting platforms often require dual-layer systems, a compression underlay beneath a durable top tile
• Functional training zones benefit from thicker rubber that supports jumping, sled work, and plyometric movement
• Platforms should extend beyond the immediate lifting area to catch off-center drops safely

Shock-Absorption Flooring Installation: What to Expect

Proper shock-absorption flooring installation affects performance just as much as material choice.

• Interlocking tiles use snap-together edges, often eliminating the need for adhesive
• Rolled flooring suits larger continuous areas and can be more efficient for bigger commercial spaces
• Professional installation ensures seams are properly aligned, reducing tripping hazards and uneven wear over time

Sports Village Qatar’s premium commercial gym accessories guide also covers how flooring integrates with broader facility accessories, from storage systems to functional training zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does shock-absorption flooring really reduce injury risk?
Yes. By cushioning impact from footfalls, jumps, and dropped weights, it reduces the stress transferred to joints and lowers the likelihood of impact-related injuries over time.

2. How thick should shock-absorbing flooring be for a home gym?
It depends on your training style. Light dumbbell and cardio use generally needs 10mm to 15mm, while heavier barbell training benefits from 20mm or more.

3. Does shock-absorption flooring actually reduce noise for neighbors?
Yes, particularly dual-layer rubber systems with a compression underlay, which significantly outperform single-layer flooring for impact noise reduction.

4. What’s the best flooring material for weightlifting platforms?
EPDM rubber is widely preferred for weightlifting zones due to its superior shock absorption under repeated heavy impact.

5. Is shock-absorption flooring worth it for a small home gym?
Yes. Beyond protecting your own joints and equipment, it protects the building floor beneath you and reduces noise transfer, which matters significantly in apartment living.

Ready to Upgrade Your Flooring?

Shock-absorption flooring isn’t a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a safety, durability, and noise-management investment that pays off every single day a gym or home setup is in use.

Explore Sports Village Qatar’s full range of commercial and home flooring solutions, or call +974 4450 1166 for a free consultation on the right flooring specification for your space.

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Written by the Sports Village Qatar fitness content team.

تأهل منتخب الأرجنتين إلى الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 بعدما تغلب على منتخب سويسرا بنتيجة 3 أهداف مقابل هدف واحد في المباراة التي أقيمت صباح اليوم الأحد على ملعب أروهيد في مدينة كانساس سيتي بولاية (ميزوري) الأمريكية.

وفرض المنتخب الأرجنتيني أفضليته منذ الدقائق الأولى ونجح في افتتاح التسجيل عبر أليكسيس ماك أليستر في الدقيقة العاشرة بعدما حول برأسه ركلة ركنية نفذها ليونيل ميسي إلى داخل الشباك وسط ضغط هجومي متواصل من حامل اللقب الذي أهدر عدة فرص لتعزيز تقدمه قبل نهاية الشوط الأول.

وفي الشوط الثاني عزز المنتخب السويسري أداءه ونجح في إدراك التعادل عن طريق دان ندوي في الدقيقة الـ67 مستغلا هجمة مرتدة سريعة ليعيد المباراة إلى نقطة البداية ويمنح منتخب بلاده دفعة معنوية كبيرة.

وسرعان ما تعرض المنتخب السويسري لضربة موجعة في الدقيقة الـ72 بعد طرد المهاجم بريل إمبولو إثر حصوله على الإنذار الثاني عقب مراجعة تقنية حكم الفيديو المساعد ليكمل الفريق المباراة بعشرة لاعبين بينما فشل المنتخبان في حسم النتيجة خلال الوقت الأصلي لتتجه المواجهة إلى شوطين إضافيين.

واستغل المنتخب الأرجنتيني النقص العددي ليحسم المواجهة في الوقت الإضافي إذ سجل خوليان ألفاريز هدف التقدم في الدقيقة الـ112 قبل أن يضيف لاوتارو مارتينيز الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة الـ121 ليؤكد تأهل منتخب بلاده إلى المربع الذهبي.

وبهذا الفوز يضرب المنتخب الأرجنتيني موعدا مع منتخب إنكلترا في الدور نصف النهائي بينما ودع المنتخب السويسري منافسات البطولة من الدور ربع النهائي.

The post الأرجنتين تفوز على سويسرا 3-1 لتلتقي إنكلترا في نصف نهائي كأس العالم appeared first on كويت نيوز.

Sydney: Teenage Australian sprint star Gout Gout on Thursday pulled out of next month's under-20 world championships after suffering a serious hamstring injury in training.

The 18-year-old has set the athletics world alight with a series of scorching runs.

He won the 200m at the Australian championships in April in 19.67sec, faster than Usain Bolt at the same age, and made his Diamond League debut last month in Oslo.

Gout chose to skip the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this month to focus on the under-20 world championships at Eugene in August, but his season has come to an abrupt halt.

"Unfortunately I suffered an injury to my left hamstring last night at training in Brisbane," he said on Instagram.

"I received this morning the MRI report, unfortunately the news is not good and I will not be able to compete in Eugene at the world U20 championships next month."

Gout said the scans revealed a grade three tear, which typically takes months of rehabilitation.

"My focus now will be on my rehab in the coming weeks and months and ensuring I come back in 2027 better and stronger and faster," he said.

Athletics Australia said it would support him in his recovery.

"Gout has had a phenomenal couple of years, and has a long and exciting athletics career ahead of him," a spokesperson said.

"While this will be disappointing for Gout himself as well as his many fans, unfortunately injuries are part of the sport.

"It is important that he takes the time to rehabilitate, recover and return to the track to compete when he is ready."