What is padel? Rules, equipment and how to start

Padel is a racket sport that blends tennis and squash, played almost always in doubles on an enclosed court with glass walls. It is easy to pick up, hard to master and intensely social - which is exactly why it has become the fastest-growing racket sport in the world.

The court and the walls

A padel court is 20 by 10 metres, smaller than a tennis court and surrounded by glass and mesh walls. The walls are in play: like squash, the ball can rebound off them, which keeps rallies alive and makes the game forgiving for beginners.

The basic rules

Scoring is the same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game). You serve underarm, the ball must bounce before you hit it on the serve, and after a bounce on your side the ball may come off the glass. Most points are about placement and teamwork, not raw power.

The equipment

You need very little: a padel racket (solid, stringless, with holes), padel balls (similar to tennis balls, slightly lower pressure) and court shoes. Most clubs rent rackets, so you can try the sport before buying anything.

Why it is so popular

Padel is easy to start, so a complete beginner can rally and have fun in their first session. It is always doubles, so it is social by design. And the enclosed court keeps the ball in play, making for long, fun points. That combination is why clubs are opening everywhere.

How to play your first match

Find a local club, book a court (many clubs let you book and find partners from an app), rent a racket and grab three friends. An hour later you will understand why people get hooked.

For clubs, that surge of new players is the opportunity - and the challenge of bookings, courts and community is exactly what kortbase is built to run.