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  3. Padel Fever Why the World's Fastest Growing Sport Is Taking Over the Gulf

Padel Fever Why the World's Fastest Growing Sport Is Taking Over the Gulf

14 Feb 2026
  • How did padel evolve from a niche game into a worldwide phenomenon?
  • Why has padel become a core part of sports culture in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf?

In recent years, padel has moved far beyond being a casual club activity. Transforming into a global phenomenon played by more than 25 million people across over 110 countries, the sport has quickly earned its place as one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Combining easy learning, fast paced rallies, and a competitive yet social spirit, padel has found a natural home in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, where it now shapes a modern sports lifestyle built on fitness, connection, and energy.

A Global Rise That Redefined Modern Sport

A Global Rise That Redefined Modern Sport

Emerging as a simplified racket sport played on a smaller enclosed court surrounded by glass walls, padel introduced a dynamic twist to traditional tennis. Creating faster exchanges and longer rallies, the design made the sport easier to learn while keeping the intensity high. Allowing players of different skill levels to compete comfortably, the format lowered entry barriers and encouraged rapid adoption.

Expanding through Europe and Latin America, the sport benefited from modern club facilities, structured leagues, and growing media exposure. Supporting the growth with international tournaments and professional circuits, organizers elevated padel from recreational pastime to competitive platform. Attracting sponsors and building a loyal fan base, the sport positioned itself as both accessible and aspirational. Reflecting this momentum, the numbers now confirm its status as the fastest growing sport globally, driven by its ability to merge athletic challenge with a strong social dimension.

The Preferred Game of the Modern Gulf Man

The Preferred Game of the Modern Gulf Man

Investing heavily in state of the art courts across clubs, residential communities, and lifestyle hubs, Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf countries accelerated the local expansion of padel. Making courts widely available throughout the year, developers aligned the sport with the region’s evolving urban lifestyle. Offering a format built around doubles play, padel encourages teamwork, strategy, and constant interaction, making every match as social as it is competitive.

Providing an effective outlet for daily stress, the sport enhances agility, reflexes, and coordination within an engaging environment. Turning evening matches into weekly rituals, many men now incorporate padel sessions into their routines as a balance between fitness and networking. Hosting local tournaments and community leagues, clubs continue to strengthen its presence and prestige. Demonstrating consistent growth rather than temporary hype, padel has firmly established itself as a lasting sports culture across the Gulf, appealing to men who value performance, connection, and an active lifestyle.

Ahd Kamal

BY Ahd Kamal

Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.

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