The History of Padel: From Mexican Courtyard to Global Phenomenon

Padel might feel like the newest racquet obsession sweeping across the UK, but its story began over five decades ago in a Mexican backyard. At PadelDogs.com, we believe that the best way to appreciate the game is to understand where it came from.

So, let’s take a journey through time and explore how padel evolved from a clever improvisation into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

🇲🇽 1969 – The Birth of Padel in Mexico

Padel’s origin was an inspired accident. In 1969, Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera wanted to build a tennis court at his home in Acapulco. Lacking space, he constructed a smaller court surrounded by walls, modified the rules, and created a new sport.

His invention featured:

A compact 20x10m court
Enclosed walls that allowed for bounce play
Solid, stringless padel bats
Underhand serves only

Corcuera named it “Paddle Corcuera,” unknowingly founding an entirely new racquet sport.

🇪🇸 1974 – Spain Picks Up the Paddle

Padel quietly made its way to Spain in 1974, thanks to Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe. After experiencing the game in Mexico, he introduced it to his elite guests at the Marbella Club by building the first European padel court.

By the early 1980s, padel had grown from a leisure activity for the privileged into a competitive sport with its own identity. It eventually caught on across Latin America, particularly in Argentina.

🇦🇷 1990s – Argentina Becomes a Powerhouse

The 1990s marked Argentina’s rise as a global padel leader. With thousands of courts nationwide, it quickly became part of the country’s sporting culture. Padel stars like Fernando Belasteguín gained worldwide acclaim, dominating the professional circuit for over 15 years.

The sport’s growth led to the formation of official bodies, including the Federación Internacional de Pádel (FIP) in 1991, helping standardise and globalise the game.

🌍 2000s–2020s – The Global Boom

Over the past two decades, padel has expanded rapidly across Europe:

Spain now boasts over 20,000 courts and 6 million regular players
Italy, Sweden, and France have emerged as fast-growing padel markets
The UK is catching up, with a wave of new courts, clubs, and leagues

The launch of the World Padel Tour (WPT) in 2013 professionalised the sport, bringing a new level of excitement and visibility to fans worldwide.

Today, padel is played in over 90 countries and is being considered for inclusion in future Olympic Games.

Where Does PadelDogs Fit In?

At PadelDogs.com, we saw an opportunity to bring the best of European padel craftsmanship to the UK. We don’t deal in mass-market rackets. We curate only elite, independent brands from Spain, Portugal, and Italy the true heartlands of the sport.

Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time or you're deep into competitive play, understanding padel's history helps deepen your connection to the game. We’re proud to be part of this journey.

What’s Next for Padel?

Padel is no longer just a niche sport it’s going global. With media coverage growing, world-class players emerging, and clubs opening at record pace, the sport is poised for an exciting future.

From a modest home court in Acapulco to packed arenas in Madrid and Milan, padel has always been about energy, creativity, and community.

Play smart. Play stylish. Play the game right.
Explore elite padel rackets at PadelDogs.com