Padel vs Pickleball: Which Should You Try First?

Two racquet sports are taking Australia by storm right now — padel and pickleball. Both are easy to learn, incredibly social, and growing at a rapid pace. But if you've never tried either, you might be wondering: which one should I start with?

We've broken down the key differences to help you decide.

Padel is a doubles racquet sport played on an enclosed glass-walled court, roughly a third the size of a tennis court. It combines elements of tennis and squash — you can play the ball off the walls, which creates longer rallies and a more forgiving game for beginners.

It originated in Mexico in the 1960s and exploded in popularity across Spain and Latin America before making its way to Australia.

Pickleball is played on a smaller court (similar to a badminton court) with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It blends tennis, badminton and table tennis into one fast-paced, highly social game.

It was invented in the USA in 1965 and is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world — including here in Australia.

Both sports are beginner-friendly, but in different ways.

Padel has a slightly longer learning curve because of the walls — learning to use them strategically takes time. However, the enclosed court means the ball stays in play longer, which makes rallies more achievable for beginners.

Pickleball is arguably the easiest racquet sport to pick up. The smaller court means less ground to cover, and the slower ball gives you more reaction time. Most beginners are having fun within their very first game.

Winner for beginners: Pickleball (slightly easier to start)

Both sports are inherently social — padel requires four players, and pickleball is most commonly played in doubles. Both have incredibly welcoming communities in Australia.

Padel courts often have a more "club" atmosphere with regular social sessions. Pickleball communities tend to be more informal and drop-in friendly.

Winner: Draw — both are excellent for meeting people

Padel courts are growing rapidly in Australia, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. However, availability is still limited compared to tennis.

Pickleball can be played on any badminton or tennis court with portable nets, making it more accessible in regional areas.

Winner for availability: Pickleball

Padel involves more movement across a larger court and tends to be more physically demanding. Pickleball is lower impact and easier on the joints — making it popular with older adults and those returning from injury.

Winner for low impact: Pickleball

Try Pickleball first if:

• You're a complete beginner to racquet sports
• You want something low-impact and easy on the joints
• You live in a regional area with limited court access
• You want to play solo (singles is common in pickleball)

Try Padel first if:

• You have some tennis or squash background
• You want a more physically demanding workout
• You love the idea of a glass-walled court and longer rallies
• You're in a major city with good court access

Many Australians play both — and why not? They're both brilliant fun, and the skills transfer surprisingly well between the two.

The real challenge is finding people to play with. That's where Hobbimate comes in — a free app that connects you with padel and pickleball players near you in Australia.

Find a padel or pickleball partner near you →

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned player, Hobbimate makes it easy to connect, arrange a game, and get on the court.

Padel costs:

• Court hire: typically $20–$40 per person per hour (split four ways)
• Beginner racquet: $80–$150
• Balls: usually provided by the venue
• Total to get started: around $100–$200 including your first few sessions

Pickleball costs:

• Court hire: often free at public courts, or $5–$15 per session at dedicated venues
• Beginner paddle: $40–$80
• Balls: $5–$15 for a pack of three
• Total to get started: around $50–$100

Pickleball is significantly cheaper to get into, which is one reason it's growing so fast in Australia. Padel court hire is higher because the courts are purpose-built and expensive to construct — but the cost is split four ways, which keeps it manageable.

Padel venues are concentrated in major cities. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have the most options, with new courts opening regularly. Search "padel courts near me" on Google or check Padel Australia's court finder at padelaustralia.com.au.

Pickleball is more flexible — it can be played on any badminton or tennis court with a portable net. Many community centres, schools and parks now host regular pickleball sessions. Check Pickleball Australia (pickleballaustralia.org.au) for clubs and social sessions near you.

Both sports are growing fast, which means more courts, more players and more opportunities to get involved — wherever you are in Australia.