Padel vs Pickleball: Which Racket Sport Should You Play in 2026?

Two sports. Two rackets. Two massive global followings. Padel and pickleball have both exploded onto the world stage in recent years, earning the title of the fastest-growing racket sports on the planet. But which one deserves your time, money, and weekend? In this deep-dive comparison, we break down everything — rules, courts, difficulty, fitness benefits, cost, and global reach — so you can make the right choice for your lifestyle.

The Quick Answer

Both sports are beginner-friendly, social, and enormous fun. But they cater to slightly different audiences:

• Padel tends to attract players who love fast, wall-bouncing rallies, a European club culture, and a sport with serious professional ambitions.
• Pickleball tends to attract players who want a lower-impact, outdoor-friendly game with a strong community spirit — and is especially popular in the United States.

Keep reading to understand exactly why, and which suits you best.

Origins: Where Did They Come From?

Padel

Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico by businessman Enrique Corcuera, who built an enclosed court in his garden inspired by squash and tennis. The sport was quickly adopted in Spain and Argentina, where it became a cultural institution. Today, padel is played by over 25 million people across 90+ countries.

Pickleball

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. Originally improvised from ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, it was designed as a backyard game for families. It has since grown into a sport with over 36 million players in the United States alone and a rapidly growing international footprint.

The Courts: Size, Surface & Setup

Padel Court

A padel court measures 20m × 10m and is fully enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh. The walls are an active part of gameplay — balls can bounce off them to remain in play, creating longer, more dynamic rallies. Courts are typically found at dedicated padel clubs or increasingly inside sports centres and hotels. Both indoor and outdoor variants are common.

Pickleball Court

A pickleball court measures 13.4m × 6.1m, closely resembling a badminton court. It is an open court with no walls, divided by a low 86cm net. The court features a distinctive non-volley zone (nicknamed "the kitchen") 2.13m from the net on each side, where players cannot volley the ball. Courts are inexpensive to set up and can be marked on any flat surface, including existing tennis and basketball courts.

Feature	Padel	Pickleball
Court size	20m × 10m	13.4m × 6.1m
Walls	Yes (glass & mesh)	No
Net height	88cm centre	86cm centre
Indoor/outdoor	Both	Mostly outdoor
Court cost	Higher	Very low

Equipment: Rackets, Balls & Gear

Padel Equipment

The padel racket is solid — no strings — made from carbon fibre or fibreglass with a perforated hitting surface. It is shorter and thicker than a tennis racket and comes in three shapes: round (more control), diamond (more power), and teardrop (balance). The ball is similar to a tennis ball but with lower internal pressure. A beginner racket costs roughly €30–€80, with professional models exceeding €300.

Pickleball Equipment

The pickleball paddle is also solid — typically made of graphite, carbon fibre, or composite — and is smaller than a padel racket. The ball is a lightweight, hollow plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball). Equipment costs are notably low: a quality beginner paddle runs $30–$80 USD, and balls cost just a few dollars each.

Rules: How Each Sport Is Played

Padel Rules

• Always played in doubles (2 vs 2).
• Serve is underarm and must bounce in the service box before the receiver returns it.
• After the serve, balls may be played off the walls — but must bounce on the ground first before hitting a wall.
• Scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage.
• Players may exit through the doors in the back wall to retrieve a ball and play it back in — a rule unique to padel.

Pickleball Rules

• Can be played singles or doubles, though doubles is most popular.
• Serve is underarm and must land in the diagonal service court beyond the kitchen.
• The double-bounce rule: the ball must bounce once on each side before either team can volley.
• No volleying in the kitchen (non-volley zone).
• Scoring uses rally scoring or side-out scoring; games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.

Learning Curve: Which Is Easier to Pick Up?

Both sports are often praised for being beginner-friendly compared to tennis. However, they differ in subtle ways:

Padel has a very forgiving learning curve. The enclosed court means the ball stays in play longer, rallies happen immediately, and the underarm serve removes one of tennis's biggest barriers. Most beginners feel competent within a few sessions. The use of walls adds a strategic layer that takes longer to master, but this same element makes early rallies more fun and extended.

Pickleball is arguably even easier to start. The smaller court, slower ball, and simple underarm serve make it extraordinarily accessible — particularly for older players or those with limited athletic backgrounds. The kitchen rule adds a layer of tactical thinking that keeps experienced players engaged.

Verdict: Both are beginner-friendly. Pickleball has a slightly lower entry barrier; padel scales up in complexity and excitement more quickly as you improve.

Fitness & Health Benefits

Padel

• Burns approximately 400–600 calories per hour of competitive play.
• High-intensity bursts develop agility, speed, and explosive power.
• Strong engagement of legs, core, shoulders, and forearms.
• Excellent cardiovascular conditioning — comparable to interval training.
• Lower injury risk than tennis due to the underarm serve and compact court.

Pickleball

• Burns approximately 350–475 calories per hour at recreational level.
• Lower-impact on joints — a key reason it is beloved by players aged 50+.
• Improves balance, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination.
• Strong mental health benefits tied to its social community structure.
• Increasingly popular as cardiac rehabilitation and senior fitness activity.

Verdict: Padel offers a more intense workout. Pickleball is the superior choice for low-impact, joint-friendly fitness, making it ideal for older players or those returning from injury.

Social Culture: Community & Lifestyle

Both sports are deeply social — and this is one of the biggest drivers of their explosive growth.

Padel has built a sophisticated club culture, particularly in Europe and Latin America. The padel club — with its glass courts, vibrant bar or café, and post-match rituals — is a social destination in itself. Padel is closely associated with an active, aspirational lifestyle, and tournaments at all amateur levels are common.

Pickleball has an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive community that is particularly strong in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Open play sessions — where strangers show up and rotate in — are a cornerstone of pickleball culture. The sport prides itself on breaking down age and fitness barriers.

Verdict: Padel excels in club-driven social culture. Pickleball wins on raw community inclusivity and casual drop-in culture.

Global Reach & Professional Scene

Padel's Global Footprint

Padel is dominant in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Sweden, Italy, Mexico, France, and the UAE, with the sport now firmly established across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The Premier Padel tour — the sport's elite professional circuit — holds events in major cities worldwide and enjoys growing broadcast rights deals. Padel is actively campaigning for Olympic inclusion, a milestone that would supercharge its global growth.

Pickleball's Global Footprint

Pickleball's heartland remains the United States, where it is now the fastest-growing sport by registered players for five consecutive years. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have attracted celebrity investors including LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kim Clijsters. International growth is accelerating in Canada, the UK, Spain, India, and Australia, though it still significantly trails padel outside North America.

Feature	Padel	Pickleball
Global players	25+ million	36+ million (US-heavy)
Countries active	90+	70+
Pro tour	Premier Padel	PPA / MLP
Olympic status	Campaigning	Not yet
Strongest regions	Europe, Latin America, Middle East	North America, Oceania

Cost: Which Is Cheaper to Play?

Pickleball wins convincingly on cost. Court fees are minimal or free (public parks), equipment is inexpensive, and no specialist footwear is required.

Padel involves court hire fees (typically €10–€25 per person per hour), equipment investment, and often a club membership depending on your location. However, as the sport's infrastructure scales globally, costs are becoming increasingly competitive.

Verdict: Pickleball is the more affordable option. Padel offers more in terms of structured club environment and professional atmosphere for the extra outlay.

Padel vs Pickleball: Head-to-Head Summary

Category	Padel	Pickleball
Beginner-friendly	✓ Yes	✓ Very
Physical intensity	High	Moderate
Joint impact	Low–moderate	Low
Social culture	Club-driven	Community-driven
Cost to play	Moderate	Low
Global availability	Europe, LatAm, ME	North America
Professional scene	Established & growing	Fast-growing
Olympic potential	High	Emerging

The Final Verdict

There is no wrong answer. Both padel and pickleball are outstanding sports that reward casual and competitive players alike. Your best choice comes down to geography, budget, and what kind of experience you're after.

Choose padel if you want a sport with electric, wall-bouncing gameplay, a vibrant club culture, and serious global ambition — a sport you can play competitively for decades.

Choose pickleball if you want the most accessible, low-cost entry point into racket sports, particularly if you're based in North America or prioritise low joint impact.

And if you're lucky enough to have both available near you? Try them both. Many players do — and love each for completely different reasons.