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Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. Its mix of energy, social play, and accessibility has made it a hit across cities and clubs nationwide.
Yet in Bath, the sport has run into unexpected resistance. MatchPoint competitions writer Josh Foster takes a deeper dive into the matter.
Across Britain, padel courts are appearing in record numbers. Players love its fast-paced rallies and social atmosphere. But in Bath, local authorities have taken a different approach.
Recent proposals to build padel courts, including those at Odd Down Sports Ground and the Lansdown Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club, have been refused by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
The result: no approved padel facilities anywhere in the city.
The council’s main concern is noise.
Padel produces sharper, higher-impact sounds than tennis, with players hitting off walls and exchanging quick volleys.
Residents living close to proposed court sites described the sound as “gunfire-like” and “unbearable” in planning objections.
One application placed courts just 3.5 metres from neighbouring homes. Environmental noise assessments suggested that the impact could exceed accepted limits, prompting planners to reject multiple proposals.
Officials also cited worries over mental wellbeing and disruption to local tranquillity, all key factors under UK planning and noise regulation standards.
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Technically, Bath has not banned padel. There’s no official policy outlawing the sport.
Instead, the city has created what players and operators call a “planning blockade.” Every recent application for padel courts has been turned down due to location and noise concerns.
This means no new padel developments can proceed unless a design meets strict acoustic and environmental criteria.
Developers say they are working on revised proposals with improved sound insulation and greater distance from homes.
The local padel community has voiced disappointment, calling the situation a setback for one of the UK’s most promising emerging sports.
Many argue that noise mitigation technology and better site planning could easily address residents’ concerns.
Padel UK representatives note that similar challenges have been resolved in other cities through acoustic barriers, enclosed structures, and advanced court surfacing.
They hope Bath’s restrictions will eventually ease once new solutions are presented.
Until new proposals pass the planning stage, padel players in Bath will need to travel to nearby towns to play. The demand remains high, and interest in the sport continues to grow nationally.
The issue in Bath highlights a broader question facing UK cities: how to balance community peace with sporting progress. With careful planning, acoustic design, and cooperation between developers and residents, padel could yet find its place in Bath.
Padel’s rise across the UK shows no signs of slowing. But Bath’s experience is a reminder that even popular new sports must navigate local sensitivities.
For now, the “Bath padel ban” stands as a planning story and not a sporting one. Whether it becomes a lasting barrier or a temporary pause will depend on how well the next generation of proposals can blend performance with peace.
Pickleball has exploded in popularity worldwide, and its rise shows no sign of slowing.
The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis yet stands apart for its unique accessibility.
Whether you are an energetic teenager, a busy parent or someone enjoying life well beyond retirement age, pickleball offers a level playing field that few sports can match.
It is this universal appeal that makes pickleball one of the best ways to stay active, remain social, and enjoy regular exercise, no matter how old you are.
Here, MatchPoint Competitions writer, Ben Phillips, analyses what makes Pickleball a brilliant sport for every age group
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At its core, pickleball is designed to be inclusive.
Played on a smaller court with lightweight paddles and a perforated plastic ball, the sport removes many of the barriers that typically prevent people from picking up a racket.
You do not need years of experience, athletic training, or a high level of fitness to get started.
The rules are simple, the learning curve is gentle, and the pace of play can be easily adjusted to suit any ability.
This accessibility is the foundation of pickleball’s appeal and the reason so many communities are embracing the sport.
For younger players, pickleball is a perfect entry point into racket sports.
The smaller court size helps beginners understand spacing, footwork and shot selection without feeling overwhelmed.
Kids and teenagers appreciate that rallies last longer, which keeps them engaged and builds confidence.
Because the ball moves more slowly than a tennis ball, young players get immediate feedback on technique and control.
These early skills transfer brilliantly to other sports, making pickleball a valuable developmental tool.
Adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s are also embracing pickleball in huge numbers.
For this age group, the sport offers a rare combination of competitiveness and convenience.
Matches can be played in short bursts, and the game is intense enough to provide a genuine workout while still being enjoyable and low stress.
Players build cardiovascular fitness, improve agility and sharpen reflexes without the heavy impact that comes from running-based sports.
This makes pickleball ideal for people juggling work, family and social life because they can fit in meaningful exercise without needing hours at the gym.
One of the most compelling reasons pickleball has become such a phenomenon is its popularity among older adults.
Unlike tennis, the sport demands shorter movements, less explosive power and far less strain on joints.
Many players in their 50s, 60s and 70s find that they can play for longer periods without discomfort, which keeps them active both physically and mentally.
The hand eye coordination required helps maintain cognitive sharpness, while the social aspect fosters community and reduces feelings of isolation.
For many older players, pickleball has become more than a hobby. It is a lifestyle choice that improves health, mobility and emotional wellbeing.
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The health benefits of pickleball extend far beyond age brackets.
Because the game involves constant movement, players enjoy improved cardiovascular health, better balance and increased muscle tone.
The lateral steps and occasional sprints help strengthen stabilising muscles that protect the knees and hips, which is especially important as people age.
The sport also burns calories at a steady rate, making it an excellent way to support weight management and overall fitness.
Unlike more punishing workouts, pickleball encourages consistency because it is fun. People want to come back day after day, which leads to long term health benefits.
Beyond physical advantages, pickleball is a social sport at heart.
Most games are played in doubles, which encourages teamwork, communication and camaraderie.
Many clubs and local facilities run open play sessions where newcomers can integrate into friendly groups within minutes.
These social interactions are a major part of the sport’s appeal. For older adults, they combat loneliness; for younger adults, they create new friendships and for families, they make exercise a shared experience rather than an individual chore.
Pickleball is also incredibly inclusive for people with mobility challenges or those returning from injury.
The sport can be adapted with slower-paced matches, modified footwork or softer play styles without diminishing the fun.
This flexibility allows players to stay engaged through different stages of life and maintain activity levels even when recovering from setbacks.
For people who may feel excluded from traditional fitness environments, pickleball offers a welcoming path back to regular movement.
The growth of pickleball has led to better facilities, more community courts and broader participation, which in turn makes it easier for newcomers to get involved.
Many leisure centres, parks and sports clubs now offer lessons and open sessions for beginners, so no one needs to feel intimidated when stepping onto the court for the first time.
Equipment is affordable and the sport requires minimal setup, making it one of the most accessible recreational activities available today.
Ultimately, pickleball stands out because it brings people together, keeps them moving and adapts to every stage of life.
Whether you are a child discovering sport for the first time, a parent searching for a fun way to stay active or a senior looking for low-impact exercise, pickleball offers something for everyone.
Its blend of fitness enjoyment and community makes it the perfect lifelong sport, and its global growth suggests that millions more will soon discover the same benefits.
For those seeking a sport that is easy to learn, enjoyable to play and packed with physical and social rewards, pickleball is an ideal choice.
It proves that exercise does not need to be complicated or high intensity to be effective.
All you need is a paddle, a ball and a willingness to step on court. The rest takes care of itself.
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British number one Aimee Gibson and her partner Alba Perez secured their second straight win at FIP Bronze Lyttos III this week.
This follows their FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong win last week to make it two wins in succession, an exciting feat for women’s padel, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
This week, the CUPRA FIP Tour returned to Crete for the third time in 2025 with the FIP Bronze Lyttos III, featuring both the men’s and women’s draws.
In the women’s main draw, Perez (67) and Gibson (84) won the title, their second in a row after the FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong last week.
They won the final 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 against Monica Gomez (75) and Claudia Escacena (107), who had won the FIP Bronze Lyttos I in June.
“I’m over the moon to win back-to-back FIPs with Alba,” Aimee told The Padel Paper. “I can’t really believe it.
“We played a really good tournament with some tough matches along the way. We were able to play a really high level in the final even though it went to three sets.
“In the third set we played a little bit better than them and took a few more risks.”
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The CUPRA FIP Tour is a professional, international tour of padel tournaments featuring many of the leading players across the world.
Formed in 2019, the CUPRA FIP Tour is just one step below the Premier Padel Tour and it’s where professional players begin as they hone their skills and continue to work up their rankings.
Gibson and Perez are now headed to a FIP Bronze in Bahrain, hoping to secure a title hat-trick before the left-handed Brit teams up with GB number two Catherine Rose at the inaugural LTA Padel National Championship in Bristol from December 4-7.
“I am so happy with the progress I’ve made in the last few months. Credit to Alex, my coach at Rocks Lane in London,” said Gibson.
“We don’t get to spend much time together and yet he’s able to help me when I’m back in the UK, even if it’s just for a couple of days in between tournaments. That’s really been helping my game improve.”
Gibson has been in top form this season since her rise in padel, making her way into the world’s top 100 after only turning pro in 2023.
The 34-year-old’s FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong win is her third FIP Silver title of the season, adding to her wins at the FIP Silver Australian Open and FIP Silver Melbourne.
Heineken® 0.0 has announced a multi-year partnership with Playtomic, the world’s largest racket-sports community, set to launch with an interactive event in December.
The partnership aims to provide the brands with a fresh approach to connecting padel players by curating bespoke experiences designed to reflect each brand’s shared belief in quality socialising, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
A core feature of the partnership will be Open Matches by Heineken® 0.0, an event designed to broaden padel players’ social networks by connecting them to each other, ultimately turning each padel game into a fresh experience.
The feature will be introduced in December at the launch event, set to take place in Barcelona, where the two brands will unveil a pop-up padel court open to the public.
With many padel players choosing to participate in the sport to meet new people, the event is set to celebrate the growing cultural presence and social nature of padel.
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“Playtomic’s dedicated and vast community combined with Heineken’s commitment to quality socializing and refreshing beer will create memorable experiences for millions of players everywhere,” said Bram Westenbrink, Chief Commercial Officer for Heineken, in a press statement.
“Together, we’re building opportunities for players to meet and celebrate authentic moments in an environment that is rapidly growing around the world.”
Socialising is a core characteristic of padel that elevates the sport beyond competitiveness, with many players joining the sport for the social connections it fosters.
Antonio Robert, Managing Director at Playtomic, noted this when he said: “Padel is the fastest-growing sport, and by far the most social sport of our era.
“With so much potential to spark new connections through a game of padel, we’re delighted to have partnered with a global brand like Heineken® 0.0 who are so focused on helping people find others who share their passions.”
A partnership with a major brand like Heineken is a major milestone for the padel community, with Robert stating: “Heineken® 0.0 has recognised the potential in padel and Playtomic, and we want to turn every moment on and off the court into an experience that brings something new and exciting to padel players across the world.”
Playtomic is the world’s largest community for racket sports clubs and players.
Through its platform, users can search and book courts for padel, tennis or pickleball, connect with new players, find opponents, join groups and improve their skills.
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There now are brand sponsorships, celebrity hosted events, official drink partnerships and luxury courts.
Padel is no longer just a sport, it is a lifestyle, writes Sports News Blitz’s padel journalist Vanely Barumire.
The racket sport, unknown to many parts of the world only a few years ago, is rapidly growing and changing the way people view sports and socialising.
So how has padel become a lifestyle not only to take part in but strive for?
Before padel became a global phenomenon, it was part of the culture in a few Spanish speaking nations.
Its popularity in Argentina and Spain was unmatched, explaining the incredible domination of the sports by the two countries.
Popularised in Europe by Spain, the country has always embraced and integrated padel into everyday life long before it was trendy to play the sport.
With it being the second most played sport in the country, behind football, padel in Spain is a lifestyle. It was created as a couple’s favourite pastime and has kept its charm.
The sport, as competitive as it is becoming, is about socialising – something millions of people are getting behind and adding to their daily routines.
Movie stars and influencers are the digital age’s best marketers.
Helping create a whole world around a product, celebrity endorsements are unmatched marketing tools and many have been a promoter for padel without realising it.
With big names such as Tom Holland, Jurgen Klopp, Lionel Messi and more linked to the sport, padel has become aspirational.
It is something people want to try as a way to understand how their favourite footballers use it to help with their mental health – or why their go-to influencer swears by it as the best new form of cardio.
Padel is slowly being integrated into the lives of people, at a rate that not many sports have done.
Many people’s love of sports is generational or from a young age, but padel, with an emphasis on accessibility, has come along and placed itself the ‘it’ sport.
And much of it has to do with the famous faces attached to it.
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”It’s a way of connecting. It’s a way of feeling connected. It’s a whole new way of socialising;” says Andi Neugarten-Maio, founder of 6LoveSports. And she’s right.
Padel is becoming one of top choices for professional networking.
Its combination of a physical activity in a relaxed manner is replacing traditional pub setting for work catch-ups, especially in an era hyper focused on fitness and wellbeing.
Appealing to different demographics and ability, a padel court has become one of the go-to places for office catch-ups and socialising.
What was once just a fun sport is now part of the professional landscape and crucial for networking.
And, perhaps the popularity of padel as a lifestyle would not be possible without one thing – social media.
Lending itself well to the clean girl aesthetic of the last few years and embracing a more relaxed, wellbeing look at sport due to its social aspect, padel has taken over social media feeds.
Every other video, this summer, was about people trying padel for the first time or a player’s journey to becoming professional.
The racket sport has become a part of many young people’s lives, with 19% of players being Gen Zers and social media has helped promote it.
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International Padel Federation (FIP) and its continental body, Padel Asia, announced a historic milestone in the development of the sport on Monday: padel has officially been recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and is set to be included as an official sport in the upcoming editions of the Asian Games.
The Council noted that the recognition will further support the growth of padel globally, and particularly across Asia, through its formal inclusion in future Asian games, according to a press release.
The milestone follows padel’s recent inclusion in the European Games 2023, the South American Games 2022 and the upcoming Mediterranean Games 2026, writes Sports News Blitz‘s Shameeka Voyiya.
Luigi Carraro, FIP president, expressed his excitement in a press release, stating: “It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we welcome the news that the OCA has unanimously decided to recognise Padel as an official sport of the Asian Games.
“The timing of this announcement, coinciding with the FIP World Cup Pairs in Kuwait, is perfect — a testament to how padel is increasingly becoming a global sport and a major presence both in Asia and around the world.”
Padel has experienced significant growth in Asia, with now over 4600 courts across 1700 clubs in more than 30 countries.
This has been supported by the establishment of Padel Asia through strengthening governance and accelerating the development of the sport.
“FIP will keep working night and day for the nearly-100 national federations we represent – and all stakeholders in the Padel ecosystem – developing men’s, women’s, youth, amateur and professional Padel in all five corners of the world,” said Carraro.
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Dr. Husain A. H. Z. Al-Musallam, who is the Director General at OCA, stated: “[Padel’s] inclusion in the Asian Games reflects our commitment to embracing emerging sports that unite people and embody the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence.”
The inclusion of padel in the Asian Games aims to provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent on a global sporting stage, and the announcement coincides with the highly anticipated inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs held last week in Kuwait.
The next Asian Game editions are scheduled for 2026, with two major events on the calendar: Asian Beach Games in China (22–30 April 2026), and the Asian Games in Japan (19 September–4 October 2026).
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Bristol hosted its first padel tournament for deaf and hard of hearing players at Rocket Padel in St Annes on Sunday, the first of its kind approved by the Lawn & Tennis (LTA), highlighting inclusivity spearheaded by this fast growing sport.
The tournament kicked off at Rocket Padel – the largest indoor centre in England – with about 52 participants from around the country, writes Sports News Blitz’s padel journalist Shameeka Voyiya.
Padel is one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, with courts being built across the country at a rapid rate and over 400 000 people participating in the UK alone.
This is a stark rise compared to only 129 000 players at the end of 2023.
“Padel is one of the fastest-growing activities that I have ever seen in my life,” Mark Gill, community development officer at the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD), told the BBC.
“It’s provided an opportunity for deaf people in the deaf community to be role models and to demonstrate [that] there is a thriving world here, there’s a thriving community.”
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Growing up, Mr Gill said he had always loved sport, but it was not always easy to get involved.
“There [were] a lot of barriers to communicating with hearing people and that led to a lot of frustrations at school,” he said.
He said he would like for coaches to have mandatory deaf awareness training, so that they can adapt their activities to be more inclusive for deaf people.
Organised after CfD was awarded the government’s Small Communities Grant, the tournament was the first-ever LTA-sanctioned deaf padel tournament where players could get ranking points.
Additionally, the grant money led to the establishment of Bristol Deaf Padel, which launched earlier this year.
Sebastian Cunliffe, organiser of Bristol Deaf Padel, said he said he feels “proud” of the collective that they have built and that their numbers are ever-growing.
“We’ve brought in people that necessarily would not have played sport, but also a diverse mix and all genders,” he said.
Cunliffe said that padel has a “great benefit on mental health and fitness”.
“There’s something about padel. When you play it, you’re just in the moment, engrossed,” he said.
“I’ve also noticed some people that weren’t necessarily involved in the deaf community now regularly come to padel and I can see how much that benefits them.”
Meanwhile, the European Deaf Padel Championship is set to take place in May 2026 to highlight the popularity of the sport in the deaf and hard of hearing world.
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The United States triumphed over Great Britain in a thrilling finale to the first-ever Anglo American Padel Cup, held at Padel Hub North London, capturing the title with a 53–43 victory.
The groundbreaking international padel tournament featured 64 elite athletes and marked a new chapter in the storied sporting rivalry between the two nations.
The Anglo American Padel Cup has already established itself as the most significant transatlantic padel competition to date, bringing together top-tier talent from both sides of the Atlantic.
Over two action-packed days, players competed across 48 matches, thrilling packed crowds and online audiences with world-class shotmaking and sportsmanship.
Team USA took a commanding 25–15 lead after Day One, but Team Great Britain came roaring back on Day Two.
Early victories from GB’s mixed pairs, Laura Jackson & George Weller, and Alice Keddie & Rafa Vega, narrowed the gap as the hosts surged ahead to a 37–35 lead by mid-afternoon.
With just two matches remaining after 46 fiercely contested battles, the Anglo American Padel Cup hung in the balance.
Team GB needed to win both to claim the title. However, the U.S. veterans Ron Bobman and Tom Bartzen delivered under pressure, defeating Britain’s Sandy Case and Minter Dial in the Men’s 60+ division to secure the Cup for Team USA.
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Even with victory decided, the final match kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Women’s Open No. 2 pairs, Dhany Quevedo and Antonella Santeusanio (USA) versus Alice Keddie and Victoria Nicholas (GB) delivered an unforgettable 7–6, 7–6 duel filled with dazzling rallies and emotional energy.
The crowd’s cheers reflected the shared pride of both nations in a match that perfectly capped off the inaugural competition.
Event founders Bill Ullman, Ben Nichols and Joelle Quinn praised both teams and supporters.
“Our congratulations to Team USA for winning the first-ever Anglo American Padel Cup,” they said.
“This event turned out to be many things an extraordinarily exciting competition, a new chapter in the historic sporting rivalry between the U.S. and Great Britain, and a showcase for the incredible padel talent emerging in both countries.”
They also expressed gratitude to title partners Playtomic and Babolat, whose backing helped bring the event to life.
“Most of all, we thank the players — true pioneers who made this first edition possible. We can’t wait for next year’s Anglo American Padel Cup in the USA.”
Team USA Women’s Co-Captains Ana Magrini and Lisa Teer hailed the event as a turning point for elite international padel competitions, saying: “We are so proud and honored to have represented the U.S. against Great Britain.
“The Anglo American Padel Cup has set a new benchmark for how international padel tournaments should be run. We leave with a trophy and lifelong friendships.”
The success of the Anglo American Padel Cup 2025 cements its place as a cornerstone of the global padel calendar.
With the 2026 edition set to take place in the United States, excitement is already building for what promises to be an even bigger and more competitive sequel in the world’s fastest-growing racket sport.
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We have the America’s Cup, Davis Cup and Ryder Cup – and now, the iconic century-long transatlantic rivalry between Britain and the United States is set to reach new heights this month as the Anglo-American Padel Cup’s inaugural edition begins in North London.
The world’s fastest-growing racket sport is taking a new form as padel now has its own transatlantic team competition, featuring some of the best players from two emerging nations in the sport, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
The inaugural Great Britain vs United States annual Padel competition will debut at the Padel Hub in North London this month, with the US preparing to host in 2026.
The Anglo-American Padel Cup will feature the best players in Britain and America across Open and Age Group Divisions for men and women.
The British and American teams will consist of four players (two teams) per category in both Men’s and Women’s competitions, with a total of 64 players participating during two days of competition between 10 and 11 October.
The Cup will see British padel professionals Rafa Vega and Eloise Tait face their American counterparts in different age groups, with the first team to reach 49 points set to go down in history as the competition’s first ever champions.
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British Men’s captain and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) number one Men’s player Rafa Vega expressed his anticipation in a statement, saying: “I am excited to be captaining the Britain’s Men’s team in the Open category of what promises to be a hugely-exciting debut Anglo American Cup.
“To have the opportunity to lead out the British Men’s team against our American counterparts will be a moment of massive pride.”
The Anglo-American Padel Cup organisers hope the competition will carry the same high energy as its golf, tennis and sailing counterparts.
“We wanted to create something that could become an annual competition, that can play on much deeper trans-Atlantic friendships, build on what people know from other sports and do it in padel,” co-founder Ben Nichols told City AM.
“I always say that the US is probably a couple of years behind the UK with padel. It’s well on its way now and growing very fast.
“We wanted to be first in creating this event and something that can cross the pond each year.”
While the America’s Cup and Davis Cup have expanded to include other nations, there is a budding expectation that this will be the case for the Anglo-American Padel Cup as well.
“We wanted to start between these two countries because they’re at similar levels in terms of how advanced they are with the sport,” said Nichols.
“That’s not to say it can’t go wider. Obviously, the Ryder Cup’s gone wider, other competitions have evolved – they’ve got wider concepts of continents against the world. So it could well go that way but I think we wanted to make it manageable in year one.
“There’s definitely room for a discussion of how we can work together. I think the Britain against America thing has legs because of where the countries are in the sport now.
“But a wider continental cup, there’s going to be a lot of top players from different countries that can compete in that, so could there be space for both? Definitely. Could it morph into one? That’s also a possibility.
“I think, for now, we want to grow this, and we’re fully collaborative in terms of others that want to work with us and pull together.”
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Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona was famously known for his impressive skills on the field, but very few knew about his skills with the padel racket, a sport that he was just as excellent in.
Maradona was one of the first padel players to take up the sport before its rise in popularity, and in 1992 he became its first international ambassador, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
“Maradona played padel, he was a phenomenon, and he was right-handed. One day I played with him, and when I scored a point, he would say: ‘What a phenomenal point you made!’ And I was thinking: ‘El Diego is saying that to me!’” Nito Brea, former player and renowned coach and father of current star Delfina Brea told beIN SPORTS.
According to beIN SPORTS, Maradona’s passion for padel spurred the sport’s visibility and recognition on an international level, where he was spotted playing in locations including Madrid, Spain.
“He loved padel, his two daughters played padel,” Philippe Werts, the former member of the Belgian team and President of the Padel Federation, told Padel Magazine.
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“As for him we were players of the national padel team, it made our meeting easier, in addition our padel coach, Lucas Swinnen who also installed the first padel courts in Belgium, was Argentinian and from the same area as him, he spoke the same dialect,” he added.
Even Maradona’s son, Diego Maradona Jr., confirmed in several interviews that padel wasn’t just a hobby for his father, but a fundamental part of his training routine.
“My father was very good at it. He played twice a week. We are a family that loves this sport,” he said.
Maradona appeared as a star guest at the first Padel World Championship in 1992 held in Madrid.
He even skipped a pre-match camp ahead of his debut against Bayern Munich to support the team and ended up as a co-commentator during the final on live television.
Padel originated in Mexico in 1969 when Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera built a walled court in his backyard to play a game similar to tennis and squash.
The sport moved to Spain in 1974 when Prince Alfonso of Hohenhole built two courts at his Marbella Club Hotel.
The first participants at the Padel World Championships included Argentina, Spain, UK and France, and in 1993, the Sports Council of Spain recognised ‘paddle’ as a sport and changed the name to ‘padel’ due to Spanish pronunciation.
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