Padel may feel like a modern trend, but its story stretches back more than 50 years. What started as a simple backyard idea in Mexico has grown into one of the world’s fastest-expanding sports, played by millions across Europe, Latin America & the Middle East.
This guide walks you through the origins of Padel, how it spread, & why it exploded into a global phenomenon.
⭐ 1. Padel Was Born in Mexico (1969)
The sport was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, a wealthy Mexican businessman living in Acapulco.
He loved tennis but had limited space at his home, so he built a smaller court enclosed by walls to stop balls flying into his garden.
He used:
- A 20×10m court
- Shorter rackets
- Lower-compression balls
- Enclosed walls & mesh fencing
This homemade setup became the first official Padel court, setting the foundation for the sport as we know it today.
⭐ 2. Padel Arrived in Spain Thanks to a Friend
A close friend of Corcuera, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, visited Acapulco in the early 1970s & immediately loved the game.
He brought the idea back to Marbella, Spain, where he built Europe’s first Padel courts at the Marbella Club.
His influence brought Padel into:
- Spanish high society
- Local sports clubs
- Tourism hotspots
- Early competitive play
Spain quickly became the sport’s second home — & later the world capital of Padel.
⭐ 3. Argentina Became the Second Global Power
During the late 1970s & 1980s, Padel spread from Spain to Argentina through Spanish business connections.
In Argentina, Padel exploded.
By the 1990s, Argentina had:
- Thousands of courts
- National tournaments
- TV coverage
- The first generation of world-class players
Today, Argentina remains one of the strongest Padel nations, producing champions & top-ranked players.
⭐ 4. The First Official Organizations Were Created
As Padel grew, formal governing bodies appeared:
- International Padel Federation (FIP) founded in 1991
- First World Championship held in 1992
- National federations across Spain, Argentina, Brazil & Uruguay
This period established Padel as a structured, competitive sport.
⭐ 5. Spain Dominated the 2000s: Clubs, Pros & TV Coverage
In the 2000s, Padel became a mainstream sport in Spain.
Why?
- Affordable equipment
- Social doubles format
- Easy to learn & addictive
- Clubs offering coaching & leagues
Spain built tens of thousands of courts.
Padel became the second most-played sport in the country — behind football.
This era also created modern stars & professional circuits.
⭐ 6. The World Padel Tour (WPT) Era Arrived
In 2013, the World Padel Tour (WPT) launched, becoming the elite professional circuit.
WPT brought:
- Live streaming
- Professional rankings
- International tournaments
- Sponsorship deals
- Global player recognition
This transformed Padel from a regional pastime into an emerging global sport.
⭐ 7. Premier Padel Launched & Accelerated the Global Boom
In 2022, a new professional circuit called Premier Padel launched with support from the International Padel Federation.
Premier Padel added:
- Bigger tournaments
- Bigger prize money
- Global TV deals
- Events in the Middle East, Europe, Africa & South America
This led to massive growth & media exposure.
⭐ 8. Padel Goes Global: Europe, Middle East & USA
Between 2015 & today, Padel has exploded in new regions:
Europe
- Italy, France, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands & Germany are building hundreds of courts yearly
- Clubs & influencers have pushed Padel into pop culture
- Courts appear in gyms, sports clubs & even rooftop venues
Middle East
- UAE, Qatar & Saudi Arabia embraced Padel with major investments
- Luxury clubs & pro tournaments became the norm
USA
- Padel is growing from pickleball & tennis communities
- New clubs across Florida, Texas, California & New York
- Professional setups are entering the US market
The sport is now played in over 90 countries.
⭐ 9. Why Padel Has Exploded Globally
Padel’s growth is driven by:
- Simplicity — you can learn in minutes
- Social play — always doubles
- Long rallies — walls keep the ball alive
- Fitness benefits — cardio without extreme impact
- Media exposure — social media made it viral
- New clubs & courts everywhere
It’s fun, inclusive & addictive — perfect for modern lifestyles.
⭐ 10. The Future of Padel
Padel shows no signs of slowing.
Expect:
- More pro tournaments worldwide
- Olympic ambitions
- Court expansions in USA & Asia
- Growth of junior programs
- Integration with tennis clubs
- Rising sponsorship markets
- More betting markets & analytics
Padel is becoming a global sport, not just a European or Latin American trend.
🎉 Final Thoughts
From a backyard invention in Mexico to a worldwide phenomenon, Padel’s rise is one of the most exciting stories in modern sport.
Its unique mix of strategy, teamwork, walls & fun has captured millions of players — & the boom is only just beginning.
