A group of eleven people is gathered for a selfie on a padel tennis court. They are smiling, dressed in athletic clothing, and holding paddles. The court is surrounded by a fence with glimpses of other courts and buildings in the background. © Powerleague

The Social side of padel

Historically, sport has always been more than competition. From the earliest community games in village squares right through to modern day, people have come together to connect, celebrate, and share experiences through play.

That same social spirit is now at the heart of padel. While it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, what really sets padel apart is how naturally it brings people together. Played in doubles, on a court that keeps the action close and fast-paced, it creates an environment culminated by teamwork and excitement.

Why padel is a naturally social sport

On the court, padel provides the blend of technical racket sports with the reliability of NEEDING a teammate. The smaller courts and glass walls require expert coordination and space awareness. This creates more chances for rallies, fast reactions and plenty of communication, which creates a natural bond between you and your partner, even if it’s only for the duration of the game!

Health and Wellbeing benefits of padel

Beyond the teamwork aspect, padel also provides fantastic health and wellbeing benefits. Due to the natural doubles format combined with a smaller court, it’s less demanding than other racket sports (tennis, squash, etc.) which makes it accessible for everyone.

The nature of padel being a physical activity provides primary endorphins, giving players a mental lift. Combine that with constant interaction and this is a perfect remedy for stress reduction and a boost of confidence. This combination shows that the social side of padel tennis can be just as rewarding as the physical workout.

Three men on a blue-court padel court are engaging in a light-hearted moment. Two of them, in dark athletic wear, smile and extend hands toward a third player in an orange shirt. They stand near the net with modern city buildings in the background. © Powerleague

Padel is an EVENT

But the padel experience doesn’t just stop once the final point is played. Unlike other racket sports, padel bookings are commonly groups of 6 – so that doubles can rotate quickly, keeping up the short, snappy nature of the games. {stat} This allows pairs to socialise and chat, building a sense of camaraderie that’s at the core of the padel social experience.

And when the match is over, that same spirit continues. Many padel clubs are homing in on making this activity an event rather than a pastime through the introduction of tournaments and post-match social gatherings.

Building communities through padel

Away from celebrities, the growth of padel and particularly the social aspect of padel can be seen in the way it’s become a regular fixture for communities. Unlike sports that require large teams and/or extensive equipment – padel is easy to organise in a small group, equipment is affordable, and it is welcome to players of all levels.

Powerleague are seeing this first hand, with 5 padel venues across multiple UK cities and two more to follow, each individual site has become a home for padel players of all levels to interact and socialise.

Post-match hangout spots are a great example of why the sport has grown exponentially over the past 3 years. Take Tom Holland’s ‘Bero classic’ event for example: a tournament tied into the promotion of non-alcoholic beer, a perfect way to encourage people to stay and socialise outside of the padel experience.

The future of padel 🎾

Right now, padel is still the new craze within UK sport that everybody wants to play, but the hype doesn’t look like slowing down, so what’s next for the future of padel from a social perspective? The community driven aspects of the sport are only set to grow, in line with the constant growth of the sport.

The logical next step is more leagues, more tournaments and even more ways to interact. Opportunities to connect through padel will continue to be the driving force of growth in the sport, the inclusive nature and the ‘new, fresh’ feeling to the sport means it will continue to be a welcoming space for players of all levels.

The future of padel is bright, not just for its growth as a competitive sport but because of the communities it has, and will continue to, create. It’s evident that more players are discovering the passion for the sport – so expect to see leagues, events and new courts popping up all over the UK. Of course, it’s never too late to join in on the hype – find out how you can get involved with a padel community near you – https://www.powerleague.com/padel