History of Padel | Corcuera
Padel history · Updated 2026
Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera at his home in Acapulco, Mexico. From a walled 20×10m backyard court, the sport spread to Spain via Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe, then to Argentina via Julio Menditeguy, then to the rest of the world. Today padel is played in 140+ countries by over 30 million players — and Nottingham is one of the UK’s fastest-growing padel cities.
Padel history timeline
Enrique Corcuera builds the first padel court in his garden in Acapulco, Mexico. His wife Viviana writes the first official rules.
Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe visits Acapulco and takes padel to Spain — first courts at Marbella Club. Julio Menditeguy introduces padel to Argentina, where it spreads rapidly through neighbourhood clubs.
The Asociación Padel Argentino becomes the first national federation. Spain and Argentina play the first international match.
Jorge Galeotti introduces the first glass, detachable court — enabling standardised competition and global expansion.
The International Padel Federation (FIP) is founded in Madrid by Argentina, Spain and Uruguay.
First World Padel Championships held in Madrid and Seville.
Rules unified under the official name “Padel”. 11+ federations active.
Padel Pro Tour (PPT) launches in 2005. Sport spreads to 40+ countries. First World Junior Championship in Argentina.
World Padel Tour (WPT) launches, professionalising the sport further.
Premier Padel global expansion. 16+ host countries. 30M+ players worldwide. 140+ countries. UK padel grows rapidly — Nottingham among leading cities.
The founding story — Acapulco, 1969
Enrique Corcuera didn’t set out to invent a global sport. He had limited space at his Acapulco home and wanted a court he could fit. The solution — a compact 20×10m court enclosed by walls — created the defining feature of padel: the glass rebounds that make rallies longer and more collaborative.
His wife Viviana, former Miss Argentina, wrote the first official rules as a birthday gift. That combination of pragmatic design and social intent set padel’s character from the very start: a sport built for people, not spectators.
How padel reached Spain and the world
Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe saw the game at Corcuera’s home in the early 1970s and immediately grasped its appeal. He built courts at the Marbella Club, where it spread through Europe’s sporting and social elite. Simultaneously, Julio Menditeguy brought padel to Argentina, where it embedded deeply in club culture — Argentina remains one of the most passionate padel nations today.
Spain adopted the sport at scale through the 1980s and 1990s, developing the infrastructure, rules and federation structure that allowed padel to grow internationally. By the time Premier Padel launched in the 2020s, padel had the cultural foundation it needed to become a mainstream global sport.
- Enrique Corcuera: the man who invented padel
- Padel’s global rise — key milestones
- Padel Knowledge Hub
- Who is Enrique Corcuera?
Inspired by the original court
Corcuera padel clothing — heritage-led, court-to-clubhouse style. Free UK & EU shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Who invented padel?
Padel was invented by Enrique Corcuera at his home in Acapulco, Mexico in 1969. His wife Viviana wrote the first official rules.
When was padel invented?
Padel was invented in 1969. The first court was built by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico.
How did padel spread globally?
Prince Alfonso brought padel to Spain via Marbella Club in the early 1970s. Julio Menditeguy introduced it to Argentina simultaneously. From there it spread across Latin America, Europe and the world.
What is the FIP?
The International Padel Federation (FIP), founded in Madrid in 1991, is the global governing body responsible for world championships, rankings and official regulations.
Is Nottingham good for padel?
Yes. Nottingham is one of the UK’s fastest-growing padel cities with multiple clubs, indoor courts and a strong community. See our Nottingham padel guide.