Play padel
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Padel is a doubles racket game on a small court walled in by glass, where the ball stays in play after it bounces off the walls. Many venues run a one-hour intro session for beginners, and some lend rackets, so ask before you buy anything.
ModerateUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoors or outWith othersUK and US
Someone who has done it
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What it's really like
The court is 20m by 10m (about 66ft by 33ft), smaller than a tennis court, and enclosed by glass. The serve is underarm after one bounce, the ball can come back off the glass once it has hit the floor, and scoring is the same as tennis. The LTA says getting used to the back glass is the main adjustment for tennis players.
Courts are built for four players, though singles is possible. Rackets are solid and perforated, with no strings, and the balls are a little less pressurised than tennis balls, so they bounce lower and slower.
The LTA has been the governing body for padel in Britain since 2020. It says courts have grown from 51 in 2020 to 760, and players to more than 230,000 by the end of 2024.
Ways in and what they cost
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Game4Padel, Vauxhall, London | Intro to Padel: one hour, up to 6 players, racket not included | £20 (members £17) |
| Game4Padel, Vauxhall, London | Court hire, per player, weekdays before 5pm | £13.75 (members £9.75) |
| Game4Padel Edinburgh Academy | Group lesson of four, per person per hour, court included; free intro lesson for first-timers | £12, plus £2 for non-members |
| Racket Social Club, Denver, Colorado | Intro to Padel: one hour, up to 4 new players, rules and simple drills | $20 |
Peak times cost more. At Vauxhall, court hire per player rises to £17.50 for non-members on weekday evenings and at weekends.
How to start
- Use the LTA Padel court finder (UK) or the USA Padel club directory (US) to find a venue near you.
- Book an intro or beginner group session rather than a court on your own, so a coach shows you the serve and how to play off the glass.
- Ask the venue whether racket hire is included and what footwear its courts need.
Where to go
- LTA Padel: find a padel court near you UK
- LTA Padel: how to get started UK
- Game4Padel Edinburgh Academy: adult coaching UK
- USA Padel: where to play US
We opened these links on 9 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between padel and tennis?
Padel is played on a smaller, glass-walled court with an underarm serve, solid rackets and lower-bouncing balls. The scoring is the same as tennis.
Can you play padel with two people?
Yes. The LTA says two players can play singles on a standard doubles court, though courts are designed for four.
How much does it cost to play padel?
As last listed, a one-hour intro session at Game4Padel Vauxhall cost £20, and a beginner session at a Denver club cost $20. Some venues price court hire per player.
Who governs padel in the UK?
The LTA, which was recognised as the national governing body for padel in 2020.
Where this comes from: LTA Padel, What is padel; LTA Padel, Padel vs tennis; LTA Padel, Padel FAQs; LTA Padel, How to get started; LTA Padel, Find a padel court; Game4Padel Vauxhall Padel Yard, booking page (MATCHi); Game4Padel Edinburgh Academy, Adult programme; USA Padel, Where to play; Racket Social Club Denver, Intro to Padel. Opened 9 November 2026.
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