Rafa Nadal Academy accelerates its international expansion in the Middle East with a new Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Bahrain

15.10.2026

ARN Publishing House

The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain will open in Amwaj Islands in late 2027 through a strategic partnership with HARVE, bringing together the Academy’s sporting excellence and the company’s expertise in developing high-end tourism projects.

The Rafa Nadal Academy continues to expand its global network of sports centres with the forthcoming opening of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain. Located in Amwaj Islands, the new centre will be the institution’s ninth worldwide and will be developed in collaboration with HARVE, a company backed by Infracorp that specialises in developing and managing hospitality, leisure and lifestyle projects.

With this opening, scheduled for the final quarter of 2027, the Rafa Nadal Academy will strengthen its presence in the Middle East, where it already has an academy in Kuwait, and take another step in its growth strategy alongside leading partners. The collaboration with HARVE, which focuses on introducing international brands and concepts to the Bahraini market, combines its expertise in creating first-class hospitality, tourism and leisure projects with the Rafa Nadal Academy’s international reputation, sporting heritage and training methodology.

The project will be located in Amwaj Islands, one of Bahrain’s leading residential and tourism destinations, known for its waterfront setting and dining and leisure options. In this setting, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain aims to become a new meeting point for tennis enthusiasts, bringing together sport, wellbeing and high-quality services.

The complex will feature six tennis courts (indoor and outdoor), three padel courts, fitness and recovery areas, a sports shop and a café. The centre will offer programmes for players of all ages and abilities, led by Rafa Nadal Academy coaches and following the training methodology developed ten years ago from the experience of Rafa Nadal and his coaching team.

Joan Suasi, Managing Director of International Expansion at the Rafa Nadal Academy, welcomed the announcement: “We are delighted to expand the Rafa Nadal Academy’s presence in the region with the opening of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain in Amwaj Islands. Bahrain is an important addition to our international network, and we are excited to work alongside HARVE to bring our training methodology, technical expertise and approach to player development to the country. We look forward to contributing to the growth of tennis in Bahrain, supporting local talent and offering players an experience that reflects the standards and philosophy of the Rafa Nadal Academy.”

Abdulaziz Tawfeeqi, Director of HARVE, highlighted the value of the partnership: “The opening of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain in Amwaj Islands marks another milestone in our vision to develop exceptional destinations and experiences that combine sport and lifestyle. Through this centre, we aim to offer a first-class tennis experience, built on an internationally recognised training methodology and supported by advanced facilities and specialist coaches.”

Rafa Nadal Tennis Centers bring a distinctive offering to leading destinations

The Rafa Nadal Tennis Centers represent a complementary avenue of growth alongside the academies in Mallorca and Kuwait. Designed to be integrated into high-end tourism, residential and sports complexes, they bring the Rafa Nadal Academy’s identity to new markets through training programmes that combine technical expertise, personalised attention and the values that have guided Rafa Nadal throughout his career.

Their integration into these developments enhances the sports offering and provides a distinctive element backed by an internationally respected brand. Developed alongside partners who share the Academy’s quality standards, this model finds a new opportunity in the collaboration with HARVE to bring tennis to a destination with a growing regional profile.

With Bahrain, the Rafa Nadal Academy will expand a network that already includes academies in Manacor and Kuwait; Rafa Nadal Tennis Centers in Costa Mujeres (Mexico), Sani (Greece), Hong Kong, Marbella and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic); and the Rafa Nadal Tennis Program in Egypt. These projects will be joined by planned openings in Brazil in 2027 and Lombok (Indonesia) in 2028.

The news comes in a particularly significant year for the institution, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026. Since opening in Manacor, the Rafa Nadal Academy has grown into a sports and education project with a strong global presence. A decade on, it continues to look to the future with the same ambition that inspired its creation: to share Rafa Nadal’s methodology, knowledge and values with new generations of players around the world.