FIP Platinum Albania Brings Top Padel to Tirana This Week

The FIP Platinum Albania 2026 opened today in Tirana, bringing one of the most significant padel competitions ever staged in the Balkans to Skanderbeg Square. The tournament runs from 26 to 30 May, with free entry for all sessions.

Four purpose-built courts have been erected at the centre of the Albanian capital, including a centre court with grandstand seating for approximately 1,200 spectators. Nineteen players from the men’s world top 30 and 14 from the women’s world top 30 have entered the draw. The FIP Platinum category carries a prize pool of €120,000–€150,000 and 300 ranking points for winners, placing it among the higher-tier events on the international padel calendar.

A competition staged in the heart of the city

The choice of Skanderbeg Square gives the event an unusual character. The square is the symbolic centre of Tirana, flanked by the National History Museum, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the old Tirana Bazar. Competition unfolds in full view of everyday city life, and all sessions are accessible on foot from most central hotels and guesthouses.

For visitors already in Tirana this week, the tournament adds a sporting dimension to what is otherwise a walkable, compact city centre. Morning and afternoon sessions run through the week, with finals scheduled for 30 May. Full draw details and session times are published on padelfip.com.

Practical notes for visitors

Accommodation in Tirana is under pressure this week. Hotels, restaurants, and short-term rentals are experiencing elevated demand as sports tourists arrive from Italy, Spain, and neighbouring Balkan countries. If you have not yet arranged accommodation, prices have risen and last-minute availability is limited.

The centre court grandstand is free but has limited capacity; arriving early for afternoon and finals sessions is advisable.

Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa receives direct connections from a range of European cities. For those already in the region, the city is reachable overland from Shkodër, Ohrid, and the Montenegrin coast in under four hours. Our guide to Tirana covers the city’s main areas and neighbourhoods, and things to do in Tirana lists attractions worth combining with a tournament visit.

For those planning a wider Balkans trip around the event, our Albania guide covers the country’s key destinations and practicalities. If you’re still working out how to get here, our getting to the Balkans guide covers regional transport options including flight routes and overland connections.