They're often mentioned together because both are new, social and easy to learn, but they're quite different games. Here's how they compare.
| Padel | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 20 × 10 m, enclosed by glass and mesh walls | 20 × 44 ft (badminton-sized), no walls |
| Players | Almost always doubles | Doubles or singles |
| Equipment | Solid perforated racket, low-pressure tennis-style ball | Flat solid paddle, light plastic ball with holes |
| Serve | Underarm, after a bounce | Underarm, out of the air or dropped |
| Signature rule | Play the ball off the walls | The kitchen and the two-bounce rule |
| Scoring | Tennis scoring | Games to 11, win by two |
| Where to play | Dedicated padel clubs, gyms, tennis clubs | Leisure centres, sports halls, clubs, tennis courts |
| Pace | Faster, more athletic | Slower ball, more touch and placement |
Which is for you?
If you've played tennis or squash and want something fast and sweaty, try padel. If you want an easy social game you can play in a sports hall with friends of any age and fitness, try pickleball. Plenty of people play both.
Questions
Is padel harder than pickleball?
Padel is usually faster and more physical. Pickleball is easier on the body to start but has plenty of depth at a high level.
Can you play pickleball on a padel court?
Not properly. Pickleball needs an open, flat court; padel courts are walled and a different size.