History of Padel & Club de Padel Nottingham | Corcuera
History of Padel: From Acapulco to Nottingham & Corcuera’s Roots
Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico, using a walled 20×10m court and rules written by his wife, Viviana. From there it spread to Spain and Argentina, became formalised through the FIP, and grew into today’s professional ecosystem with the WPT, Premier Padel and APT tours. In 2025, padel is played in 140+ countries — with Nottingham now emerging as one of the UK’s strongest club de padel communities.
Written by Corcuera Padel Club, Nottingham — documenting padel’s heritage, global growth and cultural evolution.
Our Heritage: The Story of Padel & Corcuera’s Roots
The Birth of Padel: From Acapulco to the World
Padel began in 1969 when Enrique Corcuera built a compact racquet court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico. With limited space for tennis, he created a 20×10 m court enclosed by 3-metre walls — establishing the basic dimensions still used today. His wife, Viviana Corcuera (former Miss Argentina), drafted the first official rules as a birthday gift, turning a household innovation into a new sport.
Padel’s original concept blended fun, creativity and social play — a sport defined as much by its walls, rebounds and strategy as by athleticism.
Spreading from Mexico to Spain & Argentina
In the early 1970s, Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe visited the Corcuera home and fell in love with the game. He brought padel to Spain by building courts at Marbella Club, where it spread among Europe’s sporting elite.
Simultaneously, Julio Menditeguy introduced padel to Argentina, triggering an explosion of neighbourhood courts and tournaments. Argentina quickly became — and remains — one of the sport’s most passionate club de padel cultures.
1980s: First Federations & Early International Competition
By the 1980s, padel had spread across Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, France, the U.S. and Canada. In 1988, the Asociación Padel Argentino became the first national federation. The same year, Spain and Argentina played the first international match.
In 1989, Jorge Galeotti introduced the first glass, detachable court, which enabled standardised competition and global expansion — a breakthrough still used worldwide today.
1990s: International Organisation & Rule Unification
On 12 July 1991, the International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in Madrid by Argentina, Spain and Uruguay to organise global standards and governance.
The first World Padel Championships followed in 1992 (Madrid and Seville), and by 1997, rules were unified under the official name “Padel”. With 11+ federations active, padel entered a new era of structure and legitimacy.
2000s & 2010s: Growth, Pro Tours & International Recognition
The 2000s brought massive expansion. Argentina hosted the first World Junior Championship in 2000. The Padel Pro Tour (PPT) launched in 2005, followed by the World Padel Tour (WPT) in 2013 — both critical in professionalising the sport.
On the American continent, the APT Padel Tour helped develop a parallel professional ecosystem. By 2019, the Cupra FIP Tour provided a structured pathway for emerging countries to enter international competition.
By the late 2010s, the FIP had surpassed 40 member federations and padel had become one of the fastest-growing sports on Earth.
2020s & Beyond: Global Reach, Premier Padel & Nottingham’s Rise
By 2024, the Premier Padel circuit was hosting events in 16 countries, driving unprecedented visibility. As of 2025, padel is played in 140+ countries by over 30 million players and continues to push toward future Olympic inclusion.
In the UK, the sport is accelerating rapidly. Nottingham — home of Corcuera Padel Club — has become a hotspot for club de padel growth, with new courts, leagues and fan communities emerging every year.
At Corcuera, we honour padel’s origin story with designs inspired by Enrique & Viviana Corcuera’s Acapulco court. Every collection blends heritage with modern performance for today’s players. Explore our Club de Padel collection or deepen your knowledge in the Padel Knowledge Hub.
Corcuera Padel Club researches padel history using federation archives, tour records and verified historical sources to preserve the sport’s legacy accurately.
A Simple Padel History Timeline (Long-Tail Search Optimised)
If you’re looking for a clear padel history timeline or want to know when padel was invented, here’s the sport’s origin at a glance:
- 1969: Enrique Corcuera creates padel in Acapulco.
- 1970s: Prince Alfonso takes padel to Spain; Menditeguy brings it to Argentina.
- 1988: First national federation (Argentina) formed.
- 1991: FIP founded in Madrid.
- 1992: First World Championships.
- 2005–2013: Launch of PPT and WPT.
- 2022–2025: Premier Padel global expansion.
Why This History Matters to You
- Every Corcuera piece connects back to padel’s Acapulco origins and its founders.
- You’re part of a global movement that spans Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Europe and the UK.
- Wearing Corcuera means wearing a story — from 1969 to today’s modern club de padel scene.
- Understanding padel’s past enriches every match you play today.
Keep Exploring
History of Padel – FAQs
➕ Who invented padel?
Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico. His wife Viviana wrote the first rules.
➕ How did padel spread globally?
Padel spread in the 1970s when Prince Alfonso introduced it to Spain and Menditeguy brought it to Argentina, sparking growth across Latin America and Europe.
➕ What is the FIP?
The International Padel Federation (FIP), founded in 1991, is the global governing body responsible for world championships, rankings and international rules.
➕ What are the main professional tours?
The World Padel Tour (WPT), Premier Padel and APT Padel Tour are the leading global circuits.
➕ When was padel invented?
Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico by Enrique Corcuera.