Padel might feel like a new sport in the UK, but it actually has roots going back more than 50 years. Its journey from a backyard invention to one of the fastest-growing sports in the world is a story of creativity, community, and international appeal. Whether you’re just discovering padel or already hooked, understanding where it came from offers a deeper appreciation of why it’s booming especially now in the UK.
Padel was created in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, a businessman living in Acapulco. Wanting to build a court for friends and family but short on space, he improvised. He transformed a small walled section of his home into a court, installed a net, and swapped traditional rackets for solid paddles. The result was a new kind of game - a mix of tennis and squash, played in a compact, enclosed space. He called it "Paddle Corcuera" and it quickly became a hit within his social circle.
In the early 1970s, Corcuera’s friend Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe played the game during a visit and was immediately taken with it. When he returned to Spain, he built the first European padel courts at his Marbella club and introduced it to his network. Meanwhile, padel also gained traction in Argentina, particularly in clubs and holiday resorts. By the 1980s and 90s, it had become a mainstream sport there, with thousands of courts, competitive events, and a growing player base. Today, Spain is the sport’s biggest market, home to more than 20,000 courts and millions of players. It’s now the second-most played sport in the country, after football.
From Spain and Argentina, padel began to spread internationally - across Europe, into the Middle East, and more recently, into the US, UK, and Australia. A few key reasons explain its rise:
- It's easier to to learn than many other racket sports
- It's social and always played in doubles
- The rallies are longer and more forgiving, even for beginners
- It fits well in urban settings and leisure venues
- Many former tennis players are making the switch
Professional padel has also grown rapidly. Organisations like the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Premier Padel have launched global tours, televised tournaments, and international ranking systems - attracting sponsors and new audiences.
While the UK was slower to pick up the sport, the last five years have seen a huge shift. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) now governs padel nationally and has been investing heavily in courts, coaching, and club infrastructure. Clubs like Padel Shift are helping lead the charge creating welcoming, community-focused spaces where people can try the game for the first time, improve their skills or even start competing.
Padel’s global success is rooted in its accessibility. You don’t need years of training or elite-level fitness to get started. It’s quick to learn, hard to put down and inherently social, a game that’s just as much about connection as competition. From a walled corner in a Mexican garden to sports clubs across Europe and now the UK, padel has grown because it’s genuinely enjoyable and because people love sharing it with others.
