June 28-July 3, more than 30 sports will settle for SM titles during the SM week in Linköping.
Now it is clear that Padel-SM will be a strong addition during the week as they have been awarded SVT's so-called wild card.
- Padel has developed rapidly and become popular.
We tried to get the sport already for the winter week in Piteå, but then it turned out no.
Therefore, it is extra fun that it was yes before Linköping, says Ulf Nilsson, SVT's project manager for the Swedish Championships week.
56 teams come into play
The Padel-SM will be decided during June 27-30.
56 teams come into play on the women's and men's side.
Up to the quarter finals, the matches are played indoors at the organizing association WAP Padel Club Linköping.
For the final game, the Swedish Paddle Association is building an outdoor course on central Trädgårdstorget.
All four semifinals for women and men as well as both Swedish Championship finals will be broadcast live on SVT.
- From Swedish paddle, we get to show ourselves in as many as six live matches on SVT.
This gives us a very nice window to spread this high-quality and very TV-friendly sport to the entire Swedish people, says Calle Åkesson, operations manager of the Swedish Padel Association.
"A real folk festival"
The idea is to create a cool gathering place for both Linköping residents and the traveling public, and in addition to competitions, the Swedish Paddle Association will provide the opportunity to try paddle for children and young people with the aim that more people will apply for an association.
From the host city Linköping, they are delighted to have paddle as the last of 32 sports during the Swedish Championships week.
- Padel is spectacular and fast-paced.
Padel-SM will therefore be a wonderful addition to the SM week and it will be a real folk party with the Swedish elite in place in the middle of Linköping's living room, says Anders Thorén at Visit Linköping, project manager for the SM week in Linköping.