Short answer: padel is not new, it just reached a tipping point. The sport was invented in 1969, grew quietly in Spain and Argentina for decades, and then exploded across Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia in the last few years. A handful of forces arrived at the same time: a pandemic that sent people looking for safe, social exercise, a professional tour with real investment, celebrity players, social media, and a wave of new clubs built in the middle of cities.
If it feels like padel came out of nowhere, here is where it actually came from, and why the boom is happening now.
A 50-year overnight success: the padel timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Enrique Corcuera builds the first padel court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico. |
| 1970s | The game travels to Marbella, Spain, where it becomes a favourite of the resort crowd. |
| 1980s and 1990s | Padel becomes a mass sport in Argentina and Spain, with thousands of courts and national federations. |
| 2010s | A professional circuit grows, and padel spreads to Italy, Sweden, Portugal and the Middle East. |
| 2020 to 2021 | During the pandemic, padel becomes a popular choice for outdoor, small-group exercise. Court building accelerates across Europe. |
| 2022 onwards | Premier Padel launches as the new global pro tour. Clubs open rapidly in the UK, the US, the Gulf and Asia. |
For the basics of how the game works, see what is padel?
The 6 forces behind the padel boom
1. The pandemic changed how people exercised
When gyms closed and team sports stopped, people looked for activities that were outdoors, in small groups and still social. Padel ticked every box. Many players who tried it then never stopped, and investors noticed the demand.
2. Professional padel got serious
A properly funded global tour brought bigger events, better broadcasts and star players. Professional padel became something people could watch, follow and aspire to.
3. Celebrities and athletes picked up rackets
Footballers, tennis players and entertainers were seen playing padel and investing in clubs. That visibility gave the sport glamour and made it feel like the place to be.
4. Social media made it visible
Long rallies, glass walls and spectacular wall shots are made for short videos. Millions of people discovered padel on their phones before they ever saw a court.
5. Courts moved into cities
A padel court is about a third the size of a tennis court, so clubs can open in warehouses, on rooftops, in hotels and in residential developments. When a court is ten minutes away, playing becomes a habit.
6. It is easy, social and fun from the first game
None of the above would matter if the sport itself were not so enjoyable. Beginners rally in their first hour, four friends can play together regardless of level, and the game has a “one more set” feeling. That is why people who try padel tend to stay. Read more in why padel is the perfect sport for beginners.
Where the boom is happening now
- Spain and Argentina: the heartlands, where padel is an everyday sport for millions.
- Italy and Sweden: two of the fastest booms in Europe.
- The UK: courts are opening at tennis clubs, gyms and dedicated padel venues.
- The Middle East: the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have embraced padel as a social, evening sport.
- The United States: early, but growing quickly. See why padel is so popular in the USA.
- Asia: growing in Singapore, Hong Kong and across Southeast Asia.
Is padel just a trend?
Every boom has some hype, and not every new club will survive. But padel has the things fads lack: a long history, a global professional tour, a simple and affordable format, and a huge base of everyday players in countries where it has been popular for decades. In Spain and Argentina, padel has been mainstream for a generation. That is a good sign for everywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
When did padel become popular?
Padel became hugely popular in Spain and Argentina in the 1980s and 1990s. Its global boom accelerated from around 2020, when court building took off across Europe and beyond.
Why is everyone playing padel?
It is easy to learn, social, a good workout, and courts are now easy to find in many cities. Celebrity players and social media have also made it highly visible.
Who invented padel?
Enrique Corcuera, in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969.
Is padel the fastest-growing sport?
Padel is widely described as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, based on the speed at which new courts and clubs are opening.
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moné was born from this moment: a padel brand for people who play for the joy of it, not just to win. Every racket is 100% carbon with a forgiving teardrop shape, made in the same factory as the leading brands. Explore the collection and play beautifully.
