Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and the UK is catching up fast. From a handful of clubs five years ago to hundreds of courts opening across London, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond, padel has gone from niche to mainstream — and people are obsessed.
If you've been curious but haven't picked up a racket yet, this guide is for you. We'll walk you through what padel actually is, how it's played, what gear you need, what to wear, and what to expect when you turn up for your first game. By the end, you'll be ready to book a court with confidence.
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played on an enclosed court roughly a third smaller than a tennis court, with glass walls and metal mesh fencing that you can play off. Games are almost always played in doubles — two players per side — which makes it inherently social.
The racket is solid (no strings) with holes drilled through the head, and the ball looks like a tennis ball but with slightly less pressure. Scoring follows the same system as tennis (15, 30, 40, game), but the rallies are typically longer, the angles more creative, and the strategy more about placement than power.
Padel was invented in Mexico in 1969 and exploded across Spain and Argentina before reaching the rest of Europe. In the UK, it's now considered the fastest-growing sport, with new clubs opening every month.
How is padel different from tennis?
Padel and tennis share some DNA, but they play very differently. The court is smaller and walled, the racket is solid, the serve is underarm, and you can play the ball off the back and side walls — a mechanic borrowed from squash. Rallies tend to be longer and more tactical because power matters less than positioning.
If you're coming from tennis, you'll have an advantage with hand-eye coordination and footwork, but you'll need to retrain your serve and unlearn the habit of trying to hit winners from the baseline. If you've played squash, the wall play will feel natural.
For a deeper breakdown, read our full Padel vs Tennis comparison.
The padel court explained
A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — so about a third smaller than a tennis court. It's enclosed by walls: glass at the back ends and a mix of glass and metal mesh on the sides. The net runs across the middle, just like tennis.
The key thing for beginners: the walls are in play. After the ball bounces on your side, you can let it hit the back wall and play it off the rebound. You can also use the walls offensively — bouncing the ball off your opponent's back glass to create angles they can't return. It takes a couple of sessions to stop instinctively chasing every ball and start trusting the walls to do some work for you.
The basic rules
Here are the essentials you need to know before your first game:
- Doubles only. Padel is almost always played 2v2.
- Scoring is the same as tennis — 15, 30, 40, game. First to 6 games wins a set, with a tiebreak at 6–6.
- The serve is underarm. You bounce the ball, then hit it below waist height into the diagonal service box. You get two attempts, just like tennis.
- The ball must bounce once on the receiver's side before they hit it. After that bounce, the ball can hit the walls before being returned.
- You cannot volley the serve return — you must let the serve bounce first.
- If the ball bounces twice on your side, the point is lost. If the ball hits the mesh on your opponent's side without bouncing first, the point is yours.
It sounds like a lot, but after one game it clicks. Most clubs offer beginner sessions where a coach walks you through the rules in 15 minutes.
What gear do you need to start?
Padel is refreshingly low-barrier. Most clubs rent rackets and balls, so for your first game you don't actually need to buy anything beyond appropriate clothing and shoes. But here's what you'll want eventually:
The racket
Beginner rackets typically cost between £50 and £120. Look for a "round" or "teardrop" shaped head and a soft foam core — these are more forgiving while you learn. Brands like Bullpadel, Head, Adidas and Nox are all solid starting points. Don't spend £300+ on a pro-level racket until you've played for a few months.
The balls
Padel balls look like tennis balls but with slightly lower pressure. Head, Wilson, and Bullpadel all make official tournament balls. A tube of three usually costs around £6.
The shoes
This matters more than the racket for beginners. Padel-specific shoes have a "fishbone" or "herringbone" sole pattern that grips well on artificial turf without tearing it. Tennis shoes are an acceptable substitute; running shoes are not — they have no lateral support and can damage the court surface.
Grip and overgrips
Even the best racket needs a good grip. Overgrips wrap around the original grip to add tackiness, absorb sweat, and adjust the handle thickness. They wear out quickly — most regular players replace theirs every 2–4 sessions. Padelism's premium padel overgrips are designed for UK conditions and come in 3 and 6 packs so you always have a fresh one ready.
Performance socks
Padel involves rapid lateral movement and a lot of stop-start sprints, which can blister your feet fast. A pair of non-slip padel grip socks with arch support and proper cushioning makes a real difference, especially on indoor turf courts.
What to wear for your first game
Padel doesn't have a strict dress code. Anything you'd wear to play tennis works — a comfortable T-Shirt, shorts or athletic leggings, and proper court shoes. Most clubs are casual, and you'll see everything from full kit to old gym gear on the courts.
That said, what you wear genuinely affects your game. Heavy cotton is uncomfortable when you're sweating; loose fits can flap around during fast lateral movements. Look for breathable, well-fitted athletic wear that lets you move freely.
For a complete breakdown of on-court and off-court padel style, read our complete guide to what to wear for padel.
If you want to look the part, our heavyweight padel T-Shirts and caps and headwear are designed by players, in London, for everyone who lives the padel lifestyle on and off the court.
Where to play padel in the UK
Five years ago, finding a padel court in the UK meant driving an hour. Today, most major cities have multiple clubs:
- London: Rocket Padel (multiple sites), Padel Social Club, We Are Padel, The Padel Club
- Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow: all have established clubs and more opening
- Smaller towns: Padel is spreading fast — check the LTA Padel court finder for your area
Most clubs offer a "first lesson" or "intro session" for £15–£30 where a coach walks you and your partner through the basics. It's the easiest way to start, and most people are hooked after one session.
Booking your first game
Court hire usually costs £30–£50 per hour, which you split with your group of four — so £8–£13 per person. You can book by the hour through the club's website, or via apps like Playtomic that handle bookings across multiple venues.
If you don't have three friends to play with, that's fine. Most apps and clubs offer "open matches" where you can join other players at your level. It's also a great way to meet people — padel is one of the most social sports out there, and post-match drinks are practically part of the game.
What to expect on your first day
Turn up 15 minutes early to get changed and meet your group. If it's your first time, ask the front desk for a quick rundown of the rules — they're used to it. The coach (if you've booked a lesson) will start with grip, basic strokes, then walk you through serving and receiving.
Expect to feel awkward for the first 20 minutes. The walls confuse you, the ball seems to bounce strangely, and the small court can feel cramped. Then something clicks, and suddenly you're rallying. By the end of your first hour, you'll get why people are obsessed.
Tips for absolute beginners
- Don't try to hit winners. Padel rewards consistency and placement, not power. Just keep the ball in play.
- Use the walls. Let the ball bounce off the glass and play it on the rebound. It feels weird at first, then becomes natural.
- Stay close to your partner. Move together, like a unit. Gaps between you are where opponents will attack.
- Move forward. The net is where points are won. Don't camp at the back wall.
- Play more, watch more. Watch a couple of WPT (World Padel Tour) matches on YouTube to see how the pros use angles. You'll pick up tactics fast.
Ready to play?
Padel is the most addictive sport you'll ever play. Once you've finished your first game, you'll already be planning the next one. Book a beginner lesson at your nearest club, grab a few essentials, and you're set.
And when you're ready to upgrade your kit beyond the basics, explore the full Padelism range — heavyweight padel T-Shirts, hoodies, caps and accessories designed in London for the padel community.
See you on the court.