Is Padel Expensive to Get Into?
Padel for beginners · Cost guide
No — padel is not expensive to get into compared to most sports. Most beginners can start playing with minimal upfront cost by renting equipment and joining social sessions. Court hire is the main ongoing cost, and it’s split between four players.
What are the actual costs involved?
Court hire
Court hire is typically £16–40/hour depending on location, time of day and venue type. That cost is split between four players, so individual costs are usually £4–10 per session. Off-peak and social sessions are cheaper. Memberships reduce costs further for regular players.
Equipment
You don’t need to buy anything to start. Most clubs offer racket and ball hire. When you’re ready to buy your own racket, entry-level options start around £30–50. See the best padel rackets guide for recommendations by level.
Coaching
Lessons are optional. Many beginners start through social play and add coaching later when they want to improve faster. Group beginner clinics typically cost £10–25 per person.
How to keep padel affordable
- Rent equipment initially — try it before you invest
- Book off-peak or social sessions
- Split court costs with three others
- Delay equipment upgrades until you’re playing regularly
- Check Playtomic for open match sessions with other players
How padel compares to tennis on cost
Padel is generally cheaper per session than tennis because court hire is split four ways rather than two. A padel session at £20/hour split four ways costs £5/player vs a tennis session at £16/hour split two ways at £8/player. The equipment cost gap has also closed significantly as padel has grown.
- How to get started playing padel
- What equipment do you need to start?
- Best padel rackets 2026 — buying guide
Great value padel kit
Frequently asked questions
Is padel more expensive than tennis?
Not usually. Padel court hire is split between four players, making the per-person cost lower than tennis in most cases.
Can you play padel on a budget?
Yes. Renting equipment and booking social or off-peak sessions keeps costs very low for beginners. Most people spend £5–10 per person per session.
What is the biggest cost in padel?
Court hire is the main ongoing cost, but it’s shared between players. One-off costs like buying a racket are a secondary consideration and can be deferred until you’re playing regularly.