What Is Padel? A Complete Guide for UK Beginners
Padel is a racket sport played in pairs on an enclosed 20 × 10 metre court with glass walls and metal mesh fencing. Players use a solid perforated paddle, serves are underarm, and the ball can rebound off the walls — making it more accessible than tennis and immediately enjoyable for beginners.
Padel is a racket sport played in pairs on an enclosed court roughly a third of the size of a tennis court. Glass walls and metal mesh form the boundary — and unlike tennis, those walls are part of the game. The ball can rebound off them, which is what makes padel so different from anything else you may have played.
It was invented in Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, spread rapidly through Spain and Latin America, and has arrived in the UK in earnest. The LTA has backed it enthusiastically, and Padel England reports the sport is now available at clubs in every corner of the country.
How padel works
The court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — enclosed on all sides by glass walls (at the ends) and metal mesh (along the sides). You play in teams of two. The net, scoring, and general flow of play are borrowed from tennis, but two differences change everything:
The serve is underarm. You drop the ball, let it bounce, and strike it below waist height. No one is intimidated by a serve in padel, which immediately makes the sport more social and accessible.
The walls are in play. After the ball bounces on the floor, it can rebound off the back or side walls and still be returned. Experienced players use the walls deliberately — setting up angles, retrieving what looks like an impossible shot, turning defence into attack.
Scoring
Padel uses the same scoring as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Sets go to six games. Matches are best-of-three sets. At 6–6 in any set, a seven-point tiebreak decides it.
One difference worth knowing: in padel, you can only score on your own serve (similar to squash), though at recreational level many clubs ignore this and use standard tennis scoring throughout.
Equipment you need
You need three things to play:
A padel paddle — solid, perforated, and shorter than a tennis racket. Most beginner paddles weigh between 340g and 370g. If you're just trying the sport, your club will almost certainly hire one out.
Padel balls — slightly lower in pressure than tennis balls but otherwise similar. Clubs always provide these; you'll only need your own once you're playing regularly.
Court shoes — any non-marking indoor or clay court shoe will do. Dedicated padel shoes exist and are worth the investment once you're playing weekly, but they're not required on day one.
For a full breakdown of equipment, see our guide to the best padel rackets for beginners.
Where to play padel in the UK
There are now more than 2,400 padel courts across the UK, from purpose-built padel centres to tennis clubs that have converted or added courts. London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds have the highest concentrations, but the sport is spreading fast into smaller cities and towns.
The easiest way to find and book a court is through Playtomic, which lists thousands of UK courts with real-time availability. Our UK court directory also covers the major cities with independent reviews and facilities information.
Padel vs tennis: the key differences
| Padel | Tennis | |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 20m × 10m | 23.77m × 8.23m |
| Walls | Yes — glass and mesh | No |
| Serve | Underarm, must bounce first | Overhead |
| Racket | Solid paddle, no strings | Strung racket |
| Teams | Always doubles | Singles or doubles |
| Difficulty for beginners | Very accessible | Steeper learning curve |
The biggest practical difference is how quickly you can enjoy the sport. In tennis, a beginner often struggles to maintain a rally. In padel, the smaller court, underarm serve, and forgiving walls mean most people are playing enjoyable rallies in their very first session.
Getting started
The best way to start is a beginner group session at your local club. These run for 60–90 minutes, cover the rules and basic technique, and cost between £10 and £20 at most venues. You'll meet other beginners and get on court immediately.
Once you've tried it, explore the rest of our Getting Started guides — from understanding the rules in detail to choosing your first paddle.
Frequently asked questions
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Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court, with glass walls and mesh fencing that are part of play. Unlike tennis, you use a solid perforated paddle rather than a strung racket, serves are underarm, and the ball can bounce off the walls — making rallies longer and more forgiving for beginners.
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Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the UK. As of 2025, there are over 2,400 padel courts across the country and participation has grown by more than 50% year-on-year, according to Padel England. The LTA has invested heavily in court development, with padel now offered at hundreds of tennis clubs nationwide.
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Yes — padel is widely considered one of the most accessible racket sports for beginners. The underarm serve, smaller court, and solid paddle make it easier to keep the ball in play compared to tennis. Most beginners can enjoy a real rally within their first session, which is why coaches often describe it as immediately fun.
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A standard padel match lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Matches are played as best-of-three sets, with each set won by the first pair to reach six games with a two-game lead. A tiebreak is played at 6–6. Social and beginner sessions are often shorter — typically 60 minutes.
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To start, you only need a padel paddle and appropriate court shoes. Most clubs hire out paddles for a small fee, so you can try the sport before buying. Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but are slightly lower in pressure. As you progress, investing in your own paddle — typically £60–£200 — is worthwhile.