Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in Europe. According to the FIP World Padel Report 2025, there are now over 77,000 padel courts worldwide across 150 countries, with global player numbers exceeding 35 million.

It's easy to pick up, social by design, and you don't need to be an experienced tennis player to enjoy your first match. But the moment you start, you're hit with a wave of terminology, rules and gear advice. This guide puts everything in one place, from the basic rules to your first racket and your first match.

What is padel?

Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court, 20 by 10 metres, surrounded by glass walls and mesh fencing. It's always played in doubles: two against two. The ball can rebound off the walls, which creates long, tactical rallies. Think tennis meets squash, with the social vibe of a pickup game.

The sport originated in Mexico, took off through Spain, and is now expanding rapidly across Europe. The Netherlands alone reached over 1,000 courts in 2025 according to FIP data, with 876,000 active players reported by the KNLTB and EY in their 2025 study.

The basic rules in 2 minutes

  • Scoring works like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. First team to 6 games wins the set.

  • Serves are underarm: bounce the ball, then hit it below hip height diagonally into your opponent's service box.

  • The ball must bounce first before hitting a wall. After the bounce, it can keep rebounding off the walls.

  • You can use the wall on your own side to play the ball back. That's half the fun.

  • Volleys at the net are allowed, but the serve must always bounce.

What gear do you need?

Good news: very little.

Racket. A padel racket is shorter than a tennis racket, has holes through the surface, and no strings. For beginners: choose a round-shaped racket with a large sweet spot. €80 to €150 is plenty.

Shoes. Padel shoes or indoor tennis shoes with a herringbone sole. Running shoes won't work because they don't have enough grip on artificial turf.

Balls. Padel balls look like tennis balls but have lower pressure. A tube costs around €8.

Clothing. Anything you can move freely in. Most clubs have no dress code.

How do you find a court and players?

Three fast routes to your first match:

  1. Book a court at a local club via Playtomic or the club's website.

  2. Join an open ladder or clinic. Most clubs run beginner-friendly intro sessions.

  3. Complete challenges in the PUP app. Clubs and coaches post weekly beginner challenges, from your first match to a volley clinic. Finish them and earn points you can spend on gear or a free drink after the match.

The 5 most important skills to learn first

  1. Bounce or volley? Beginners want to volley everything. Let the ball bounce first, it gives you control.

  2. Backhand lob. The most important defensive shot in padel. It forces opponents away from the net.

  3. Reading the wall. Wait until the ball comes off the wall before hitting. Patience wins more points than power here.

  4. Hold your position. Play as a pair: both at the net, or both at the back. Splitting up loses points.

  5. The bandeja. The signature padel overhead. Don't smash, control it and keep opponents at the back.

How to get better quickly

Three things that make a real difference in your first months:

  • Play twice a week, not once. Frequency beats duration.

  • Take one or two lessons. A single good lesson prevents bad habits that take months to unlearn.

  • Set concrete goals. "Get better" doesn't work. "Hit 10 clean bandejas in a match this week" does. The PUP app gives you challenges from clubs and coaches that set exactly these kinds of goals, with real rewards when you complete them.

Common beginner mistakes

  • Hitting too hard. Padel rewards placement, not power.

  • Camping on the service line. Pick a side: net or baseline.

  • Not trusting the wall. Practice until you read it like a teammate.

  • Playing solo. Communicate with your partner, literally every point.

Ready to start?

Padel is one of those rare sports where you'll have fun in week one and still be growing in year ten. The Playtomic Global Padel Report 2025 found that 92 percent of people who try padel for the first time come back to play again. Very few sports hit that number.

The best advice: play often, stay curious, and find people slightly better than you.

Want to track your progress, accept challenges from local clubs, and earn real rewards while you learn? Download the PUP app and start building your padel profile from your very first rally.

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