SKEMA to defend its crown at the French Business Schools Padel Cup 2026 Final

The stage is set for the top student padel players to battle it out on the sun-drenched French Riviera. On 18 and 19 April, the All in Country Club in Grasse will transform into the arena for the French Business Schools Padel Cup 2026 final (Coupe de France de Padel des ESC 2026). SKEMA Business School, last year’s champion and this year’s organiser, is eager to defend its crown in this much-anticipated showdown.

A high-intensity final

For two action-packed days, the courts will come alive with fierce matchups between student stars from HEC Paris, ESSEC Business School, ESCP Business School, emlyon business school, TBS Education, Clermont School of Business, and SKEMA Business School. A total of 48 players will compete, forming 16 men’s teams and 8 mixed teams, all vying for glory. 
The format promises plenty of action:

• Men’s competition: four groups of four teams, followed by knockout stages. 
• Mixed competition: two groups, then semi-finals and a final. 

By the weekend’s close, two coveted titles will be up for grabs.

SKEMA, the team to beat

Last year, SKEMA dominated the podium, seizing both first and second place ahead of emlyon. Now, as reigning champion and host, the school is ready to defend its legacy, in keeping with the tradition that the victor organises the next edition.
With players ranked among the top 55 in France, the tournament promises a high calibre of play, uniting passionate newcomers with experienced contenders. 

A recognised competition

The event is endorsed by the Fédération Française du Sport Universitaire, which will provide the trophies. It is also backed by sponsors Permifast and Babolat, who will equip and reward all participants, making the competition a prestigious highlight on the business school sports calendar. 

Grasse, a world-class venue

The All in Country Club in Grasse, part of the All in Group founded by tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, boasts 12 courts — 4 indoor and 8 outdoor — offering the perfect stage for this fast-growing sport that fuses tennis and squash and is winning over more students each year. 

“A source of pride… and ambition”

At the helm of SKEMA’s organisation in Sophia Antipolis are sports lecturers Nathalie Sanchez and Simon Cayron, joined by graduate Ariel Meyer (MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation) and students Marine Bernard, Stanislas Morius, and David Alexander Scemama. Their teamwork and dedication are bringing the 2026 edition to life: 
“SKEMA is proud to be organising this final. Following last year’s victory, we were keen to deliver an edition that lives up to expectations, both competitive and convivial. We hope to experience great sporting moments again and share a memorable experience with all participating schools.”

Between sport and team spirit

Beyond the scoreboard, it is the spirit and mindset that truly set teams apart. In university sports, victory is often forged as much through unity as through skill on the court. With home support behind them, SKEMA will have an edge, but rival teams are eager to shake up the status quo. In Grasse, anticipation and intensity will only grow as the final match approaches.