Padel

About Padel

Padel is a fast-paced racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court where the walls are part of the game. Combining elements of tennis and squash, players serve underarm and can use the surrounding glass and mesh walls to create exciting rallies that reward skill, teamwork and tactical thinking as much as power.

Scoring follows the same format as tennis, making it easy to learn and follow. Since its origins in Mexico in the 1960s, padel has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, particularly in Spain and Argentina before expanding rapidly across Europe and beyond. The sport is governed internationally by the International Padel Federation (FIP), is recognised by the IOC, and continues to strengthen its case for future inclusion in the Olympic Games.

While padel is not yet part of the Olympic programme, it continues to gain recognition within the wider multi-sport movement. The sport made its European Games debut at Kraków-Małopolska 2023 and will return as part of the programme for the 2027 European Games in Istanbul. Padel has also featured at the World Games and is widely regarded as a sport with significant Olympic potential.

In Ireland, the sport is growing quickly, with Padel Ireland supporting the development of clubs, competitions and national teams, creating new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in the game.