Padel FAQ: Your Questions Answered

How much does it cost to play padel in the UK?

Padel court hire in the UK typically costs £28-52 per hour for up to 4 players. Here's a breakdown:

• Off-peak (weekday mornings/afternoons): £28-36/hour
• Peak (evenings & weekends): £40-52/hour
• Early bird (before 9am): £24-32/hour

Indoor courts are generally £5-10 more expensive than outdoor. That's £7-13 per person for an hour's play - less than a cinema ticket!

Many venues offer membership packages with discounted rates for regular players.

What should I wear to play padel?

Wear comfortable sports clothing:

• Top: Breathable t-shirt or polo
• Bottoms: Shorts, skirt, or leggings
• Footwear: Indoor court shoes or tennis shoes with non-marking soles

Important: Avoid running shoes - they don't provide the lateral support needed for padel. Most venues require proper court shoes.

Do I need my own padel racket?

No - most venues offer racket hire for £5-8 per session. This is perfect when starting out.

Once you know you enjoy the sport, consider buying your own racket. Beginner rackets cost £50-100, with mid-range options at £100-200. Balls are always provided by the venue.

How do I book a padel court?

Most UK padel venues use online booking platforms:

• Playtomic - Most common, used by many venues
• Padelmates - Used by Rocket Padel and Padium
• Matchi - Used by Game4Padel and others
• ClubSpark - Used by LTA-affiliated tennis clubs

Download the relevant app, create an account, and search for your preferred venue. You can see real-time availability and book instantly. Some venues also accept phone bookings.

Is padel hard to learn?

Padel is one of the easiest racket sports to pick up. Most beginners can rally and enjoy a game within their first session.

Why it's beginner-friendly:

• Underhand serve is easier than tennis overhand serve
• Smaller court means less running
• Walls keep the ball in play longer - more rallies, more fun
• Always doubles - you have a partner to help

That said, mastering padel takes time. The tactics, wall play, and advanced shots provide years of development.

What's the difference between padel and tennis?

Feature	Padel	Tennis
Court size	20m x 10m (enclosed)	23.77m x 10.97m (open)
Walls	In play - tactical element	No walls
Racket	Solid, no strings	Strung racket
Serve	Underhand	Overhand
Format	Doubles only	Singles or doubles
Scoring	Same as tennis	15-30-40-game

Do I need 4 players to book a padel court?

Not necessarily. While padel is traditionally doubles (4 players), you have options:

• 2-3 players: Book a court for practice or casual play
• Solo: Join an 'Americano' social session where you're matched with others
• Group lessons: Partners provided, great for beginners

Many venues run regular social sessions specifically to help people find playing partners.

Are there indoor padel courts in the UK?

Yes! The UK has many indoor venues for year-round play:

• London: Stratford (9 courts), Canary Wharf (9), Battersea (4)
• Bristol: Rocket Padel (14 indoor courts)
• Leeds: Slazenger (12 indoor courts)
• Manchester: TraffordCity (11 courts)
• Derby: We Are Padel (11) + S3 Padel (10)

Indoor courts typically cost £5-10 more per hour than outdoor but offer weather-proof play.

Can I play padel if I've never played racket sports before?

Absolutely! Padel is considered one of the most beginner-friendly racket sports. Many players start with no prior experience.

We recommend:

1. Take a beginner lesson (usually £15-25 per person) to learn the basics properly
2. The social doubles format means your partner can help
3. Don't worry about being "good enough" - everyone starts somewhere

How long does a padel session last?

• Court bookings: Typically 1 hour or 90 minutes
• Competitive match: Usually 60-90 minutes
• Casual session: 1 hour is perfect - good workout without exhaustion

Factor in 10-15 minutes for arrival and changing if needed.