Padel and Pickle:
Two Games
Taking the World by Storm
Racing drivers and sprint icons are falling in love with the trend
October 17, 2025Racing drivers and sprint icons are falling in love with the trend
October 17, 2025Charles Leclerc does it, Neymar Jr. does it – and even Usain Bolt. They are all fans of a sport that is rapidly conquering the world: padel. Bolt has swapped his sprint spikes for the compact, stringless racket that controls a softer ball with finesse, while Neymar regularly shares his passion for the game with millions of followers.
Leclerc admits with a smile: “Padel is probably one of the few sports I’m good at. I’m not very good apart from actually racing cars, but padel, I’m acceptable … so I always bring my racket around to play around the world.” And in Germany, the boom is no longer confined to amateurs: even the professionals of Borussia Mönchengladbach use padel as a playful way to sharpen reflexes, stay competitive and unwind – as a club’s own behind-the-scenes video shows.
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From Acapulco to the World
It all began in Mexico – in Acapulco, to be precise. In the late 1960s, a businessman built a tennis court in his garden, only to realize the space was too small. He improvised by adding walls, experimenting with rackets and nets – and in doing so invented a new sport: padel. From there, the trend spread to Spain and Argentina, where padel is now a national pastime. Today it is considered the fastest-growing sport in the world.
Padel is a mix of tennis and squash, played in doubles on a smaller court surrounded by glass and wire walls that are part of the game. The racket is shorter and stringless, the balls are softer. The result: spectacular rallies that even beginners can enjoy quickly. That low entry barrier, combined with high speed and the social element of always playing in pairs, is at the heart of padel’s appeal.
A Boom in Europe
In Spain there are already more padel than tennis courts. Italy and Scandinavia are seeing a surge in new clubs, while in Germany courts are appearing from Munich to Berlin and Hamburg. Football stars like Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimović have built their own facilities, while tennis icons such as Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal actively promote the game.
The numbers underline the boom: according to the Global Padel Report, court numbers rose 240 percent between 2021 and 2024 – over 600 percent outside Spain. More than 25 million people in 90 countries now play, with a market volume of €2 billion in 2023. By 2026, 70,000 courts are forecast. For Generation Z, which blends sport, lifestyle and social connection, padel is more than a pastime – Forbes calls it “the next big wave in sport.”
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From Insider Tip to Pro Tour
Since 2023, the Premier Padel Tour has staged events across Europe, South America and the Middle East. In Germany, the Padel Bundesliga is gaining visibility, set to expand in 2025 with regional leagues. Livestreams and social clips showcase the dramatic rallies to a fast-growing audience.
Padel remains an insider tip in some countries, but the trajectory is steep. From metropolises to resorts, pro tours to local clubs, new communities are forming everywhere. Padel is more than a game: it signals openness, dynamism and togetherness. And perhaps best of all – the game has only just begun.
Pickleball – the North American Rival
While padel dominates Europe and South America, North America has developed its own racket-sport phenomenon: pickleball. Born in the US in the 1960s, it is now considered America’s fastest-growing sport, with an estimated 15 to 20 million players. The court is the size of a badminton court, the net lower than tennis. Games are usually doubles. Players use flat paddles of wood or composites and a perforated plastic ball that travels more slowly than a tennis ball. The effect is a game that is simple, accessible and attractive across all ages.
Padel vs. Pickleball – Two Worlds, One Trend
Padel and pickleball are different worlds but part of the same trend. Padel thrives on action and spectacle – solid rackets, fast rallies, walls in play, over 25 million players and 70,000 courts forecast by 2026. Pickleball thrives on inclusivity and ease – 15 to 20 million players, nearly 50 percent annual growth, played with hard paddles and a plastic ball, easy to pick up and less physically demanding. What unites them is just as important: both sports are quick to learn, social and highly dynamic. Together, they represent a new generation of racket sports reshaping clubs, parks and arenas worldwide.
