As leisure centres across the UK look for innovative ways to diversify their sporting offerings and attract new users, two emerging racket sports – pickleball and padel – are gaining attention. We’re often asked: what’s the difference between pickleball and padel? And more importantly, which is the best for my leisure centre?
We are here to break down the key differences between the two sports to help you make a decision on which would be the best for your community.
Pickleball is fast becoming one of the most popular racket sports in the world. The sport combines skills from tennis, badminton and ping pong, making it diverse and adaptable to everyone, whilst being unique in its own special way.
The sport is played with a solid padel (generally made from carbon fibre) and a plastic ball which is hollow with around 26 – 40 evenly spaced circular holes (depending on whether the ball is designed for indoor or outdoor play). The game can be played as singles or doubles on a court which is a similar size to that of badminton. While the style of play resembles tennis, with serves, volleys and rallies – pickleball has its own unique set of rules and scoring system.
Pickleball is a well-established sport in the US, being popular amongst all age groups across the country. Although it is not as popular in the UK than the US, the sport has seen an increase in memberships by 65% over the last year, making it an exciting upcoming sport to introduce to your sports facility.
Pickleball’s growth could be due to a number of different factors, starting with the fact the game is very social, bringing people together to chat, play and have a laugh. Pickleball is also a low impact sport, whilst still providing a great cardiovascular workout, assisting with balance and agility, and improving coordination.
- Court size: 6.1m x 13.4m (similar to badminton)
- Racket: Solid, non-strung paddle
- Ball: Plastic with holes (similar to a wiffle ball)
- Play Style: Singles or doubles, with underhand serves and shorter rallies
- Accessibility: Excellent for all ages and abilities
- Indoor/Outdoor Use: Can be played in sports halls or outdoors with portable nets
Padel is a racket sport often described as a mix between tennis and squash. It’s played on an enclosed court (about a third the size of a tennis court) with glass walls and wire fencing, which are used as part of the game. Padel is known for being social, accessible and easy to pick up for beginners, allowing everyone to partake in the blossoming sport.
Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in Britian, with just over 400,000 adults and juniors playing padel in the year of 2024, up from 15,000 in 2019, 89,000 in 2021 and 129,000 at the end of 2023.
A padel racket is a solid, stringless racket, with a solid face made from composite materials, with perforations (holes) across the hitting surface. The perforated surface reduces air resistance, making the racket easier to manoeuvre, keeping the fast pace of the game. A paddle ball may look like an ordinary tennis ball, however has a signature difference changing the game. A padel ball has a slightly lower internal pressure than a tennis ball, causing a lower and slower bounce, key to the rhythm and tactics of the game.
With padel clubs going up all over the UK, the game is loved for the social aspect, the low impact, however intense workout, and the fast pace of the gameplay. Its simple rules make it a great activity to play at weekends with friends, or more competitively in tournaments for the more passionate players. The possibilities with padel are endless.
- Court Size: 10m x 20m (about 1/3 the size of a tennis court)
- Racket: Stringless, perforated surface, solid core
- Ball: Slightly depressurised tennis ball
- Play Style: Generally doubles, singles require a smaller court, fast-paced, high strategy
- Court Style: Enclosed, glass walls are part of the game
- Popularity: Hugely popular across Europe, growing quickly in the UK
So, what should your leisure centre choose?
Chose Pickleball if…
- Your users are looking for a low-impact sport ideal for adults, families and beginners
- You have existing indoor hall space (like a sports hall or badminton court)
- You want a cost-effective, quick setup using portable nets and markings
Chose Padel if…
- You have the space and budget to invest in a dedicated court
- You’re aiming to attract competitive or club-level players
- You want to be part of a growing trend with a strong appeal to younger audiences and tennis players
At Sportsafe, we have been working with leisure centres for over 25 years and have a wealth of expert knowledge and equipment made to last. Contact our team today to learn more about the rising numbers in pickleball and padel and start your journey in the world of racket sports today.
