One of the biggest names in world sport is coming to Bahrain. The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain will open at the Lagoon in Amwaj Islands, with opening scheduled for the final quarter of 2027.

It will be the Rafa Nadal Academy's ninth center worldwide. It is being developed with HARVE, an Infracorp-backed company that builds and runs hospitality, leisure and lifestyle destinations in Bahrain.

What's being built

  • Six tennis courts, indoor and outdoor
  • Three padel courts
  • Fitness and recovery areas
  • A sports shop and a café

Programmes will be led by Rafa Nadal Academy coaches, following the training method the Academy built from the experience of Rafa Nadal and his coaching team.

They are open to players of every age and level, from children picking up a racket for the first time to serious competitors.

Bahrain joins a global network

The Academy already has academies in Manacor and Kuwait, and tennis centers in Mexico, Greece, Hong Kong, Marbella and the Dominican Republic, plus a programme in Egypt.

Bahrain strengthens its Middle East presence, with Brazil (2027) and Lombok in Indonesia (2028) also planned. The announcement lands in the Academy's tenth anniversary year.

The Academy describes these centers as designed to sit inside high-end residential, tourism and sports destinations, bringing an internationally respected brand into the community.

Why it matters for Amwaj

This is a real boost for Amwaj Islands. A globally recognised sports brand choosing the island tells you where Amwaj is heading.

It will also help bring the Lagoon back to life. The Lagoon is Amwaj's waterfront dining and leisure hub, and a busy tennis and padel center brings families, players and visitors back to it every day.

Good news for every Amwaj homeowner

New lifestyle anchors like this lift the whole neighbourhood. In my view, everyone who already owns on Amwaj stands to benefit, as the island becomes more desirable to live in and to rent.

Families and professionals increasingly want sport, dining and the sea within a few minutes of home. Amwaj is adding exactly that.

An extension of the Meliá project

HARVE is backed by Infracorp, the same group developing Meliá Branded Residences at the entrance of Amwaj Islands. Both are scheduled for the final quarter of 2027.

I see the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center as a natural extension of the Meliá project: branded beachfront living on one side, a world-class sports destination on the other, all on the same island.

A Rafa Nadal-branded center at the Lagoon, alongside Meliá Branded Residences, puts Amwaj Islands firmly back on the map.

The investor read: Amwaj Islands is a freehold zone where foreigners can buy outright. With Meliá and the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center both arriving in 2027, the island's appeal for owners and tenants is only growing.

Looking at property in Amwaj? See Meliá Branded Residences, browse homes on the island, or message me on WhatsApp on 3348 9090.

Source: announcement by the Rafa Nadal Academy and HARVE, also reported by Biz Bahrain. Image: Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Bahrain, courtesy of the Rafa Nadal Academy.