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. That makes it more accessible than tennis and immediately enjoyable for beginners.
Padel is a racket sport normally played in pairs on an enclosed 20-by-10-metre court. Glass walls and metal mesh form the boundary. Unlike tennis, the enclosure can form part of the game after the ball bounces legally in the court.
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 full story of how padel went from a Mexican back garden to the UK's fastest-growing sport is worth reading if you want context for what you are joining. 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, and 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.
Every rally awards a point, whether your pair served or received. Some competitions use an alternative deciding-point format at deuce, but padel does not use a serving-side-only scoring system.
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: similar in appearance to tennis balls but manufactured to padel specifications. Check whether the venue supplies them, because casual court-hire policies vary.
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 what to buy and when, see our padel equipment guide and our guide to the best padel rackets for beginners.
Where to play padel in the UK
The LTA reported in May 2026 that Britain had 1,825 courts across 551 venues, with one million adults and juniors participating. Because the market is changing quickly, current venue availability should be checked through the LTA participation update, the official venue finder, and individual club booking pages.
Our UK padel court directory covers the major cities with venues, facilities, and booking information. The LTA's court finder at lta.org.uk also lists registered padel venues by postcode.
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 a nearby venue. Session length, price, equipment, and entry requirements vary, so use the venue's current booking information rather than a national estimate.
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 20-by-10-metre court with glass and metal fencing that can form part of play. Unlike tennis, you use a solid perforated racket rather than a strung racket, serves are underarm, and a ball can remain live after rebounding from the enclosure following a legal bounce.
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The LTA reported in May 2026 that one million adults and juniors were playing padel in Britain, with 1,825 courts across 551 venues. These are dated figures for Britain rather than a permanent count of every court in the United Kingdom.
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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.