Padel in Pakistan: The Fastest Growing Sport & How to Start Playing

Padel courts have quietly started becoming part of the landscape in major cities of Pakistan. Groups of four rallying behind glass walls, evening bookings filling up, and the occasional late-night match making its way onto Instagram. Padel has arrived in Pakistan and it’s starting to feel like more than just a passing trend.

In a country where cricket dominates everything, padel is doing the impossible: it's creating an entirely new sports culture. From colleges to corporate teams, from rooftop venues to purpose-built facilities with coffee shops, padel has become Pakistan's fastest-growing recreational activity and the numbers prove it.

With 50,000 amateur players, 350+ courts, and the Premier Padel League of Pakistan launched in January 2026 with a PKR 30 million prize pool, this is no longer an underground trend. It's mainstream. And whether you're in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, or Peshawar, the padel wave is here.

What Is Padel, Exactly?

Padel is a racket sport that blends the best parts of squash and tennis. It is played in doubles (four players total) on a court surrounded by glass walls and mesh fencing. Played by padel racket and low pressure balls. The glass walls are not for decoration, they are playing surfaces using them strategically makes a big difference in the game.

Padel is a fusion of the scoring system and flow of tennis, glass wall tactics of squash, played in doubles making it a social shared experience, Resulting in a fast tactical easily accessible game

Why Is Padel Growing So Fast In Pakistan?

Pakistan wasn't an obvious candidate for a padel revolution. Cricket is king. Facilities are limited. Infrastructure takes years to develop. Yet in less than three years, padel has gone from virtually unknown to a full-blown cultural phenomenon with courts running 12–14 hours a day in major cities.

Reasons Why Padel Is Unstoppable

• Social Media Has Been the Game-Changer:  Instagram and TikTok turned padel into a visual trend. Sleek glass courts, late-night matches, influencer participation padel looks good on camera, and in a country with 71.7 million social media users, that matters. Padel content is everywhere.
• Pakistan's youth wanted something different. Not everyone is sporty. Not everyone grew up playing cricket. Padel offers an alternative inclusive, social, beginner-friendly, and co-ed. It's breaking the mold.
• Low impact high fun: Less running, lower joint stress, padel is playable across all ages and fitness levels.
• International Coaches and Professional Training. Clubs are bringing in trainers from abroad. Specialized training programs for children are launching. Pakistan's Padel Federation now offers official licenses, coaching certifications, and a national ranking system aligned with FIP standards.
• Universities and Colleges Are Embracing It: Student teams are emerging. Tournaments are being held on campuses. Padel is becoming a regular part of university sports culture, not just an elite club activity.

The following are some more key factors which signify that this game is here to stay.

Pakistan Padel Court Expansion (2022–2026)

Here you can see the boost in Padel courts in Pakistan from the year 2022 to 2026.

Padel Vs Tennis, What’s the Real Difference 

Padel vs. Pickleball, Not the Same Thing!

People often get confused between padel and tennis being the same sport as both are doubles friendly and are alternatives to tennis. But they are very different sports.

The main difference is glass and mesh walls are a part of the game, Pickleball has no surrounding walls. This single feature completely changes the dynamic, Padel is more fast paced, vertical and tactical. Pickleball is closer to table tennis on a bigger court; padel is closer to squash meets tennis.

Both are great. But if you want wall based strategy, fast rallies, and a truly global sport, padel is the choice for 2026.

Beyond the Court: Padel as a Social Phenomenon

Walk into any padel club in Karachi or Islamabad and you'll notice something: the court is only part of the experience.

Coffee shops, snack corners clubs have become community hubs. This isn't just exercise. It's a whole social ecosystem. People come for the game and stay for the vibe.

And social media has amplified everything. Instagram stories of late-night matches, TikTok videos of trick shots, influencer participation padel doesn't just spread through word-of-mouth. It spreads through 71.7 million Pakistani social media users posting content daily.

How to Play Padel: The Rules

Padel uses the same scoring as tennis (15, 30, 40, deuce, games, sets). The key rule differences are about serving and wall play:

1.     The Serve Is Underhand

You bounce the ball and hit it at or below waist height, sending it diagonally into the opponent's service box. No big overhead serves, this is intentional keeping the game rally-focused from the first shot.

 

2.     Walls Come Into Play After the Bounce

You drop the ball, let it bounce once, and then hit it at or below waist. You have to aim it diagonally into the other team’s service box (the box across from you). No big, powerful overhead serves like in tennis. This is done on purpose so the point starts gently and players get into a rally instead of winning the point immediately with a strong serve.

 

3.     Doubles Is the Standard Format

Padel is played in doubles, two players per side. Communication matters a lot here. Clear calls like “mine,” “yours,” “leave it” make a huge difference. Partners move together, cover angles together, and win points together. Teamwork is everything.

 

4.     Standard Tennis Scoring

The scoring is exactly like tennis:

15 → 30 → 40 → Deuce

First to six games wins a set (with a tiebreak at 6–6). Most matches are played as best of three sets. If you understand tennis scoring, you already understand padel scoring.

 

Essential Padel Equipment

The good news is that you do not need much to start playing padel. Most clubs provide rackets for beginners, so you can step onto the court without a big upfront investment. However, once you begin playing regularly, having your own equipment makes a noticeable difference in comfort, performance, and consistency.

Padel Racket

The padel racket is the most important piece of equipment and your main long-term investment. Unlike tennis rackets, it has a solid frame with no strings, which offers better control and a more forgiving feel. Choosing the right shape and balance according to your playing level helps you develop your game faster and play with more confidence.

Padel Balls

Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but are slightly lower in pressure (around 11 PSI). This lower pressure is what creates longer rallies and a more controlled pace. Using dedicated padel balls is essential because regular tennis balls can affect bounce, speed, and overall gameplay.

Padel Shoes

Padel involves quick lateral movements, sudden stops, and fast direction changes, so proper footwear is extremely important. Padel shoes are designed with enhanced grip and side support for artificial turf courts, helping prevent slips and reducing the risk of injury. Investing in the right pair early improves both movement and stability on the court.

Choosing Your First Padel Racket

Padel rackets mainly come in three shapes and your level determines which to start with. Most players start with fiberglass and eventually upgrade to carbon fiber padel rackets for better control and power. For more detailed information read:

https://padelup.pk/blogs/padel-guide/how-to-choose-first-padel-racket

How to Start Playing Padel: Your First Week

Find a Club Near You:

Search "padel near me" for finding courts and booking sessions globally. Most major cities now have at least one padel facility within a reasonable distance.

Book a Beginner Session (Not a Match):

Many courts offer coaching or beginner sessions where you can:

• Learn basic padel rules and shots
• Practice technique with real guidance
• Improve faster and safely

Join a community or find players:

Courts and local groups often run WhatsApp or social groups so you can:

• Find partners or opponents
• Join friendly matches and social games
• Learn from regular players

Get basic gear:

You can rent rackets at most courts, but once you start playing regularly, consider buying your own padel racket and balls. Online stores in Pakistan sell quality padel equipment too.

YOUR PADEL JOURNEY STARTS NOW!