​Padel is a sport that sits somewhere between tennis and squash. It appeals to people who are willing to pay up to £80 an hour for a court, and it remains frustratingly difficult to master. Yet it has become one of the fastest-growing sports not only in Wales but across Europe. What makes it so addictive? BBC Sport Wales has been out in the padel community to find answers, but first here are some essential facts and figures.
Wales now boasts 58 registered padel courts across 16 venues, an increase from 14 courts at the end of 2024. Windsor Lawn Tennis Club in Penarth opened Wales’ first padel court in 2021, and a dedicated Welsh Padel Centre opened in Cwmbran in 2022, hosting the inaugural Welsh Padel Open the following year. Tennis Wales, the governing body for tennis and padel, estimates 12,000–14,000 annual players across Wales, up from about 4,500 in 2024.
What is padel and how do you play it? In five years, Wales has transformed from having no courts to a flourishing padel network. Courts are appearing across the country—from Anglesey to Narberth, Cardiff to Caernarfon—with more planned. The sport’s appeal is straightforward: it’s for all ages and abilities and, above all, it’s fun. “The boom is being seen everywhere,” said Tennis Wales chief executive Simon Johnson. “It’s a highly accessible sport, all doubles, very sociable, easy to pick up and begin at any age and ability. I think that’s what’s drawing people in.” He added that media attention, word-of-mouth, and a certain contemporary vibe have helped fuel interest.
Cardiff’s Smash Padel opened at Llandaff Fields last September, featuring six canopy-covered courts that suit the unpredictable Welsh weather. “If you’re trying to foster a habit, knowing you’ll actually get a game makes a big difference,” commented Smash Padel chief executive Rupert Taylor. “If you’re committing Tuesday nights to a sport, it’s crucial to know you’ll get to play because you won’t be rained out.”
Beyond the social scene, Wales is beginning to host major competitions. Smash Padel hosted Britain’s largest FIP Promises junior tournament to date recently, drawing players from Germany, Belgium, Holland and Spain. “There are players from those countries, and it’s really exciting,” Taylor said. Soon, from 17–19 July, Swansea-based Jaxx Padel will host Wales’ first standalone National Padel Championships.
Wales is also cultivating rising talent. There are already some of Britain’s top players based in Cardiff, and a pipeline is developing to sustain growth and competition at higher levels. With such momentum, padel’s footprint in Wales shows no signs of slowing. The combination of social appeal, competitive opportunities, and a welcoming environment for newcomers continues to attract players from diverse backgrounds, helping padel cement its status as one of the region’s fastest-growing sports.