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From its origins to becoming a global phenomenon

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Its courts are multiplying, its competitions are becoming more professional, and more and more people are playing it for fun, health, or competition. But how did this sport, which today is loved by millions, come about? At Love Colors, passionate about active lifestyles and padel, we tell you the story of padel in a clear and engaging way: a journey that begins in Mexico, continues in Spain, and today conquers every continent.

1. The origins of padel: Acapulco, 1969

The history of padel dates back to 1969 in Acapulco (Mexico). Its creator was Enrique Corcuera, a businessman and tennis enthusiast. The story is quite curious: Corcuera had a house with limited space to build a tennis court, so he decided to adapt it.

He had walls built around the court to prevent vegetation and slopes from causing the ball to constantly leave the playing area. He also reduced the size of the court and used a lower net and solid wooden paddles.

Without planning it, he had created a new sport.

He called it Paddle Corcuera, the direct predecessor of today’s padel.

2. From Mexico to Spain: the decisive push

Padel soon crossed the Atlantic. One of Corcuera’s friends, Spanish businessman Alfonso de Hohenlohe, tried the game in Acapulco and was fascinated. So much so that in 1974 he decided to take it to Marbella, where he built the first padel courts in Europe, inside the Marbella Club.

From there, he introduced it to his friends and sports circles. The aristocracy and influential figures began to play, which boosted its popularity. Padel quickly ceased to be an exclusive pastime and became a sport in its own right.

3. Argentina: the second major driving force behind padel

While Spain enthusiastically embraced it, another nation fell even more deeply in love with padel: Argentina.

In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the sport spread throughout the region. Federations, local tournaments, and competitive circuits were soon created. There were more than 10,000 courts in the country, making it a world power.

Many of the best players in the history of padel—and on the current professional circuit—are Argentine.

4. The 1990s and 2000s: professionalization and expansion

Between the 1990s and early 2000s, padel underwent a key transformation:

• Its official rules were defined

International federations standardized rules, measurements, and materials, giving definitive shape to the sport we know today.

• Equipment evolved

Rackets went from being made of solid wood to including materials such as:

fiberglass
carbon
EVA rubber

This improved control, power, and comfort, changing the style of play forever.

• Courts were modernized.

Glass replaced the old opaque walls, making matches more spectacular and improving visibility for the audience and cameras.

• The first professional circuits began.

This led to the arrival of sponsors, academies, specialized brands, and professional players.

5. The padel boom in Spain

Spain became the world epicenter of padel. Starting in 2010, the growth was incredible:

thousands of new courts
specialized clubs
amateur tournaments and local leagues
training academies
brands dedicated to paddles, clothing, and accessories

Today, Spain is estimated to be the country where padel is played the most in the world, surpassed only by Argentina in terms of the historical number of courts built.

In addition, the sport has been incorporated into schools, municipal sports centers, and gyms, making it accessible to all ages.

6. Padel around the world: unstoppable expansion

In recent years, padel has taken an unprecedented leap onto the international stage. Countries such as:

Italy
Sweden
France
Portugal
United Arab Emirates
United States
United Kingdom

have seen a spectacular boom in the construction of courts.

Today, padel is present in more than 70 countries and continues to grow thanks to its social, fun, and accessible nature.

7. The birth of modern professional circuits

Professional padel took on a new dimension with the creation of modern circuits such as:

• World Padel Tour (WPT)

For more than a decade, it was the circuit that dominated the elite of the sport, raising its technical and media profile.

• Premier Padel

Promoted by the International Padel Federation, it arrived with big stages, high prizes, and a global commitment that has internationalized the sport like never before.

• Expansion of women’s padel

The level, visibility, and professionalization of women’s padel is today one of the most inspiring stories in the sport, with leading players filling stadiums and attracting thousands of fans.

8. Why did padel become so popular?

There are several reasons for its worldwide success:

✔ Easy to learn

The learning curve is fast, allowing you to enjoy it from day one.

✔ Social and fun

Playing in pairs creates a dynamic, friendly, and motivating atmosphere.

✔ Suitable for all ages

Everyone from children to seniors can enjoy it.

✔ Less demanding than other racket sports

Especially compared to tennis, it generates less joint impact and is more accessible.

✔ Spectacular to watch

The glass walls, the speed of the game, and the acrobatic shots attract thousands of spectators to competitions.

9. The future of padel: innovation and assured growth

The future of padel looks bright:

continued growth in emerging countries
technology applied to rackets and courts
international academies
global broadcasts
greater presence on social media and in the media
possibility of integration into international multi-sport programs

Many experts even speculate about its future inclusion in Olympic events, which could be a historic step.

A young sport with a huge legacy

The history of padel shows that you don’t need centuries of tradition to conquer the world. What began as an improvised adaptation in a house in Acapulco is now a global phenomenon, with millions of players, specialized brands, professional competitions, and a passionate community.

At Love Colors, we celebrate that spirit: friendly, social, fun, and stylish. Padel is more than a sport: it’s a way to connect, live, and enjoy life.