A few years ago, padel was a niche sport known mostly in Spain, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. Today, it’s becoming one of the most sought-after experiences in high-end travel. From coastal Portugal to the Maldives and across the US, padel courts are appearing as an amenity to travel for, widely in luxury hotels and resorts. But this isn’t just the latest hospitality gimmick—it’s a reflection of changing traveler priorities.
“As the fastest-growing sport in the world, with over 30 million players currently worldwide, it’s easy to find a partner almost anywhere you go,” says Jon Krieger, the founder and CEO of Cure Companies, which works with Padel United Sports Club. At its core, padel is a doubles sport played on a small enclosed court, blending elements of tennis and squash. It’s easy to learn, low-impact, and inherently social—three reasons it’s resonating with a generation of travelers increasingly drawn to movement, community, and connection, says Krieger. It requires less training than tennis, and isn’t as overly saturated as pickleball. As a result, it seems to be filling a peculiar gap at just the right time.
According to recent reports, “sports-tripping,” or planning getaways around sporting events, is the next great travel movement. The global sports tourism market is expected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global travel industry. Padel, for its part, travels exceptionally well: The court size is small, the equipment is minimal, and the gameplay is intuitive—ideal for guests living out of a suitcase and resorts focused on lean, elegant design.
In the past year, several leading hotels and resorts have caught on to the trend. Properties like Amanzoe in Greece, Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Mexico, Montauk Yacht Club in Long Island, and Le Jardin des Douars in Morocco have integrated custom-built padel courts into their leisure offerings. That means luxury travelers can start expecting to see “padel courts” listed alongside other top-of-the-line services—like private chefs and over-the-top spa menus—during their hotel stays. In hospitality terms, this signals a shift: Padel is being treated not as a trend, but as an amenity with holding power.
It’s a welcome shift for travelers—particularly those hailing from Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East—who grew up playing padel recreationally. Originating in Mexico in the 1960s and gaining serious traction in Spain during the ‘70s, the sport now boasts over 11,000 courts in Spain alone. For travelers from these regions, seeing padel at a resort isn’t a novelty, but something familiar. While still growing in the US, the more measured pace of expansion has allowed padel to settle into this luxury niche. That exclusivity is reinforced by high-profile endorsements: David Beckham has invested in padel racket and travel bag brand Varlion and is opening courts in the UK; Rafael Nadal has backed activewear and padel gear brand Nox and has opened multiple academies; Jimmy Butler is a co-owner of the Miami Padel Club, which has helped fuel American interest; and Eva Longoria has invested in ePadel, a digital platform for the sport. These celebrities aren’t just playing padel (although they’re doing that, too), but investing in the sport’s infrastructure.
