A Fast Growing Racquet Sport is Making Waves in the U.S – and it’s not Pickleball
Once a niche sport born in the sun-soaked resorts of Mexico, padel tennis is now surging in popularity across the United States. Invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico, Padel blends squash and platform tennis elements. Corcuera’s innovation quickly captivated Latin America and Spain, where the first European padel club opened in Marbella in 1974. This fast-paced, social sport is finally having its moment in the U.S., with new clubs and courts popping up from coast to coast.
Miami: The Launchpad for Padel in the U.S.
Given its strong Latin roots, it’s no surprise that Padel’s U.S. journey began in Miami. The city’s vibrant Latin American community provided fertile ground for the sport to gain an initial foothold. But what was once a regional curiosity is now poised for national dominance as barriers to entry—such as accessibility and cost—steadily fall.
Texas Rising: America’s Second Padel City
While Miami may have introduced Padel to the U.S., Texas is quickly emerging as its spiritual home. Houston and Dallas now boast a robust collection of courts and clubs. TEMPO Padel & Pickleball Club is leading the charge, a newcomer that has instantly become a hub for racquet-sport enthusiasts. With top-tier facilities and a community-focused vibe, TEMPO is helping Texas claim its spot as a U.S. padel powerhouse.
The Southwest Joins the Movement
Padel’s expansion isn’t stopping in Texas. Padel Club EP is set to open in Sunland Park, New Mexico, marking the first club in the state and neighboring Texas El Paso market. Padel Club EP promises a unique blend of sport and relaxation, featuring three outdoor courts (with a fourth planned), a desert backdrop, and an alfresco terrace. It’s a sign that the padel boom is reaching even the most unexpected corners of the country.
California Dreaming: Padel Hits the West Coast
With its active lifestyle culture, California is embracing Padel in a big way. Park Padel is leading the charge, with two new clubs opening soon in Northern California. The first, in South San Francisco, will feature six indoor courts, while the second, along the Sacramento River, will offer four outdoor courts. These additions follow last year’s buzzworthy pop-up courts at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza.
Meanwhile, PadelBox, a pioneer in U.S. padel infrastructure with over a decade of experience, continues to fuel the sport’s growth. Partnering with Taktika Padel in San Diego and Padel Haus in Brooklyn, PadelBox ensures that top-tier courts are available in key urban markets.
Las Vegas: The New West Coast Destination
The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas have found a new star: Real Racket Academy, now under the management of P1 Padel. With P1’s stellar pedigree, Las Vegas is becoming a must-visit destination for top padel coaches and players seeking world-class training facilities.
Paddle tennis blue court without people
Coast-to-Coast Expansion
Padel’s rapid growth isn’t limited to big coastal cities. Across the nation, new clubs are breaking ground:
- Colorado: Padel Haus Denver will soon complement the Parker Racquet Club, with additional clubs planned along the Front Range.
- Connecticut: Sports Haus is joined by Smash Padel and Pickle Club in Branford, offering East Coast players more options.
- Georgia: pATL and Millsap Padel Club in Atlanta recently hosted a 2024 Circuit tournament, cementing the city’s place on the national padel map.
- Tennessee: Sensa Padel Nashville, located in Music City’s trendy Neuhoff District, is set to bring Padel to the Southeast.
Infrastructure Investment: Fueling the Boom
Significant investments from developers and manufacturers are powering Padel’s U.S. growth. Adidas USA has launched a new padel court catalog featuring outdoor and indoor designs built to meet the most demanding U.S. building codes. A global sportswear giant’s commitment indicates that Padel is here to stay.
Additionally, Northeast Padel, based in Massachusetts, has announced a dedicated division for padel court construction. With a reputation as the nation’s top award-winning court builder, Northeast Padel aims to become the go-to constructor for the racquet-sport-passionate U.S. Northeast.
The Future of Padel in America
As Padel continues its rapid ascent, the sport’s unique combination of accessibility, fast-paced gameplay, and social appeal is capturing the imagination of American players. With major cities and smaller markets alike embracing the trend, it’s clear that Padel’s time has come. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious newcomer, there’s never been a better moment to pick up a racket and discover what makes Padel the world’s fastest-growing sport.
