Padel fever in Miami: More than just a sport

In recent years, the introduction of a new sport has caused a shift in Miami’s active and healthy lifestyle: Padel. Not long after its first court popped up in Miami, the game started booming like never before. According to Padel FIP, by early 2025, the U.S. had over 650 Padel courts across 175 clubs in 31 states, with Florida alone accounting for 41% of them.

Often described as a mix between tennis and squash, Padel is played on a smaller court surrounded by glass walls. It is usually played with a partner, which makes it easier for beginners to jump in, but it still moves fast enough to keep competitive players hooked. The sport’s social and fun vibe is part of what sets it apart from other racket sports, and that’s a big reason why it’s spreading so quickly in Miami.

Playtomic, a global sports platform, points out that the game "helps reduce stress by allowing you to fully engage in the match, leaving little room for daily worries.”

Diego Stein ’28, who started playing more recently, praised the game for having “many different variations and techniques that differ from tennis or pickleball.”

Another part of Padel’s appeal is that it’s competitive enough to be fun, but also social. Mateo Bernal ’27, another player, added, “Compared to tennis, everyone is much closer together, making it much easier to communicate and socialize. You can have a conversation while playing Padel.”

Florida is now leading the nation in Padel growth. According to the International Padel Federation, the state has 56 clubs and 286 courts, and Miami is at the center of it all.

Ms. Maggie Berry, a History and Social Sciences teacher at Ransom Everglades, is a local player who switched over from tennis, and she said it makes sense that Miami is the place where Padel is blowing up: the sport originated in Latin America. “Miami is this hub of Latin American culture, Spanish culture and US culture,” she said. “It's neat to sort of be the ambassador of Padel for the United States.”

Her point directly ties directly to the game's history. Padel originated in Mexico in the late 1960s before taking off in Spain, where it became a national craze. With Miami's large Spanish-speaking and Latin American population, the city was positioned to adopt Padel early and give it a home in the U.S. Ms. Berry also explained that friends in other states are now asking her about it, since Miami is known as the U.S. capital of the sport. 

In Miami, Padel isn't only about the game; it's also being sold as a lifestyle. Bernal said some clubs turn it into a full-on experience. Bernal described Reserve, a Padel club with several locations around Miami, where players will find “a gym, a cold plunge, a sauna, even a matcha bar. It's being marketed like a trend.”

Just like health crazes before it, from Pilates to boutique fitness classes, strong marketing has helped Padel catch on quickly.

Ms. Berry also pointed out that the marketing for Padel goes beyond advertisements.[SB16]  “A lot of influential people, whether they’re celebrities or athletes, are coming out and saying, ‘Oh, in my free time I love playing Padel.’ Their branding is drawing more attention to the sport,” she said.

But as much as people are hooked, there are still barriers. Courts are expensive and hard to get. Bernal said upscale clubs charge more than $300 an hour. This shows how Padel in Miami often carries a “luxury” price tag, which can make it feel more exclusive than other sports. “It can cost around $200 for just 90 minutes, and it is not feasible or accessible for a lot of people. Until we're able to build more courts, I think the process is going to stay that way,” Ms. Berry said.

Still, demand is high. Stein noticed how quickly things have changed. “Just four years ago, Padel wasn't really a big thing. But now… everyone's playing Padel. My friends are playing Padel, my dad's friends… and in Miami, recently opened Padel courts have drawn a lot of interest from the Hispanic community.”

The momentum isn’t slowing. Axios recently reported that Ultra Padel will open a 2-acre complex in Midtown Miami with 11 outdoor courts, three children’s courts, food and drink options, and community programming.

Stein thinks the sport will only get bigger—especially since it will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “I think in the future, when it gains [more] popularity, and since it's going to the Olympics, I think it'll be able to rival tennis or pickleball.”