Padel and Its Latin American Roots: How the Sport Grew Across the Spanish-Speaking World
Padel, a sport now growing rapidly across the globe, has deep roots in Latin America, where it first emerged and thrived before becoming a beloved pastime in Spain and other parts of the world. Today, padel is played in more than 90 countries, with its origins tracing back to Mexico in the 1960s. As the sport expanded throughout Spanish-speaking countries, it became a cultural phenomenon, especially in countries like Argentina and Spain, which now dominate the global padel scene.
This article takes a closer look at the fascinating journey of padel, from its humble beginnings in Mexico to its prominence in countries across Latin America and Spain, and how it’s gaining momentum in the United States. Understanding padel’s cultural and geographical evolution not only gives players a greater appreciation for the game but also highlights how its unique blend of strategy, social connection, and athleticism has resonated with millions.
1. The Birth of Padel in Mexico: A Sport for Everyone
The story of padel begins in Mexico in 1969, when entrepreneur Enrique Corcuera created the game by modifying an existing squash court at his home in Acapulco. Wanting to make the sport more accessible and fun for his family and friends, Corcuera enclosed the court with walls and added a lower net, creating a game that combined elements of tennis, squash, and racquetball. And so, padel was born—a game that was easier to learn and more social than tennis, yet still competitive.
Corcuera's innovation quickly caught on, and soon padel courts began popping up across Mexico, especially in high-end resorts and private clubs. Initially, it was seen as a sport for the wealthy, but over time, padel’s accessibility and appeal made it a sport enjoyed by people from all walks of life. The sport’s social nature, requiring doubles teams, allowed for a community-driven experience that quickly spread throughout Latin America.
“Padel was designed as a fun, social game from the start. Its appeal lies in its inclusivity—anyone can play and enjoy it,” notes a historian of the sport.
2. Argentina: The Padel Powerhouse of Latin America
While padel was born in Mexico, it was in Argentina that the sport truly exploded. By the 1980s and 1990s, padel had taken Argentina by storm, becoming one of the most popular sports in the country. Tens of thousands of courts were built, and padel was played everywhere—from urban centers like Buenos Aires to rural towns across the nation.
The Golden Era of Argentine Padel
During this period, padel in Argentina reached a fever pitch, with many likening its popularity to that of soccer. Some estimate that during the late 1980s, Argentina had over 10,000 padel courts and millions of active players, with tournaments and leagues being organized at both the amateur and professional levels.
The sport’s easy-to-learn nature made it especially appealing to people who wanted to enjoy competitive sports without the steep learning curve of tennis or squash. Padel also became a social activity for families and friends, creating a strong community around the sport.
Argentina’s Influence on Professional Padel
Argentina remains a dominant force in professional padel today, producing some of the world’s top players, such as Fernando Belasteguín, widely regarded as one of the greatest padel players of all time. Belasteguín held the world No. 1 ranking for over 16 years, a testament to Argentina’s profound impact on the sport.
The Argentine Padel Association (APA) continues to play a significant role in promoting the sport both locally and internationally. Argentine players regularly top the rankings in the World Padel Tour (WPT), the premier professional circuit, helping to solidify Argentina’s position as a global padel powerhouse.
3. Spain: The European Epicenter of Padel
While Latin America gave birth to padel, Spain was instrumental in turning it into a global phenomenon. In the 1970s, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, a Spanish prince and entrepreneur, visited Enrique Corcuera in Mexico and became enamored with padel. He saw the potential for the sport to thrive in Spain and brought it back to Marbella, where he built the first padel courts in Europe at the Marbella Club Hotel.
Padel's Boom in Spain
From there, padel’s popularity grew steadily in Spain, eventually becoming the second-most played sport in the country, behind only soccer. Today, Spain boasts tens of thousands of padel courts and millions of active players. The sport has integrated into Spanish culture, with courts available in schools, public parks, private clubs, and commercial sports complexes.
Spain has also become the heart of professional padel, hosting the majority of WPT tournaments. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga have become central hubs for the sport, attracting top talent and fostering a highly competitive environment.
Spain’s Role in the Development of Padel Brands and Technology
Spain’s influence on padel extends beyond its courts. The country is home to some of the biggest padel equipment brands, such as Bullpadel, Nox, and Drop Shot, all of which produce cutting-edge rackets, clothing, and accessories for players worldwide.
These brands are not only leaders in innovation but also play a crucial role in making padel gear accessible and affordable, further fueling the sport’s growth. The technological advancements made in Spain, including the development of high-performance padel rackets and apparel, have helped elevate the sport to new heights.
“Spain’s contribution to padel is immense. From the development of professional tours to pioneering equipment technology, Spain has solidified its place as the world’s padel epicenter,” says a WPT official.
4. The Role of Latin American Players on the Global Stage
While Argentina and Spain are the powerhouses of padel, other Latin American countries are also making significant contributions to the sport's growth. Nations like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay have vibrant padel communities and are producing talented players who are now competing on the international stage.
Mexico: Returning to Its Roots
Padel’s resurgence in Mexico has been exciting to watch. The country has seen a revival of interest in the sport, with new courts and clubs being built in major cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Cancún. In addition, Mexico regularly hosts FIP (International Padel Federation) tournaments, further solidifying its place in the global padel ecosystem.
The Mexican Padel Federation (FEMEPA) is also actively working to grow the sport, supporting the development of local talent and promoting padel as a competitive and social activity for all ages. Mexican players like Paola Longoria, better known for her racquetball dominance, have even started playing padel competitively, helping to raise the sport’s profile.
Brazil: An Emerging Padel Power
In Brazil, padel is gaining ground, particularly in the southern parts of the country where sports culture is strong. With an estimated 500,000 active players, Brazil is rapidly becoming a key player in the Latin American padel scene. The Brazilian Padel Confederation (COBRAPA) has been instrumental in organizing domestic tournaments and facilitating player development, and Brazilian players are beginning to make their mark on international circuits like the WPT.
5. Padel in the United States: A Growing Latin Influence
While padel is still relatively new in the United States, its growth has been bolstered significantly by the country’s large Hispanic and Latino communities, many of whom are already familiar with the sport from their home countries. Padel courts are popping up across cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas, often in areas with strong Latin American populations.
Miami: The Gateway for Padel in the U.S.
Miami has emerged as a key hub for padel in the U.S., thanks to its large Hispanic population and proximity to Latin America. The city regularly hosts professional tournaments, including stops on both the World Padel Tour and the newly formed Premier Padel circuit. Miami's role as a bridge between Latin America and the U.S. has made it a natural hotspot for padel's growth.
“The cultural ties between Miami and Latin America have made it the perfect place for padel to thrive in the U.S.,” says a Miami-based padel coach.
Padel’s Expansion in Other U.S. Cities
Cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Austin are also seeing an increase in padel courts, clubs, and tournaments. In places like Texas and California, the sport is being embraced by tennis clubs and fitness centers looking to capitalize on padel’s growing appeal. The sport’s social, fast-paced nature makes it an attractive alternative to tennis and other racquet sports, particularly for younger generations.
As more U.S. players are introduced to padel, the sport is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with organizations like the United States Padel Association (USPA) working to promote its growth nationwide.
6. The Future of Padel: A Global Sport with Latin American Roots
Padel’s journey from the courts of Mexico to the global stage is a testament to the sport’s universal appeal. As it continues to grow across Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., padel is showing no signs of slowing down. With professional tours expanding, technology improving, and more players picking up a racket, the future of padel looks bright.
What started as a backyard innovation in Mexico has now become a global sport, thanks to the passion of players across the Spanish-speaking world. As the U.S. padel scene continues to develop, the sport’s Latin American roots will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping its future.