Padel vs Pickleball: What's the Difference?

If you've heard people raving about padel and pickleball lately — and wondered if they're basically the same thing — you're not alone. Both sports are exploding in popularity right now, both are beginner-friendly, and both have a reputation for being absurdly fun from the very first session.

But they're actually quite different. Different courts, different equipment, different rules, and a different vibe. Here's everything you need to know to figure out which one's for you.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court that's roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The walls are literally part of the game — you can play the ball off them, which means rallies last longer and the game is far more forgiving for beginners than tennis.

Scoring works the same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game), so if you've played tennis before, the structure will feel familiar. If you haven't, don't stress — it takes about five minutes to pick up.

Padel is massive in Spain and Latin America, and it's been growing fast in New Zealand since 2023. New courts are opening up around the country — Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch — and most of them run beginner sessions if you want to try before you commit.

The racket used in padel is solid (not strung like a tennis racket), usually made from carbon fibre or fibreglass, with holes in the face. Our Paloma padel rackets are 3K carbon fibre with a teardrop shape — designed specifically for beginners and social players across NZ.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is played on a smaller court — about the size of a badminton court — with a paddle (solid, like a padel racket) and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball. It's usually played indoors, though outdoor pickleball is catching on too.

Unlike padel, pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. The scoring system is a bit different (you only score points on your serve, games go to 11), and there's a zone near the net called the "kitchen" where special rules apply. It sounds complicated, but you'll get it within your first game.

Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States — participation grew by more than 220% over three years — and New Zealand is catching up fast. There are already over 1,000 active players across more than 60 clubs and locations nationwide.

How Are the Courts Different?

Padel court:

• Enclosed — glass walls and mesh surround the court
• 20m × 10m (roughly)
• Always doubles (4 players)
• Outdoors, or in a large indoor facility

Pickleball court:

• Open — net across the middle, no walls
• 13.4m × 6.1m (slightly bigger than a badminton court)
• Singles or doubles
• Indoors or outdoors

The padel court's walls are a big part of what makes the game so fun. Instead of the ball going out when you hit it long, it often stays live off the glass — and you can use the wall strategically to wrong-foot your opponents. It adds a whole extra dimension to the game that most beginners absolutely love.

How Is the Equipment Different?

Padel racket:

• Solid frame (carbon fibre or fibreglass), perforated face
• Typically 360–380g
• Shorter handle than a tennis racket
• No strings — the holes in the face provide the "give"
• Used with a pressurised ball, similar to a slow tennis ball

Pickleball paddle:

• Solid face (carbon fibre, fibreglass, or composite), no holes
• Typically 200–250g — much lighter than a padel racket
• Longer handle than a padel racket
• Used with a lightweight plastic ball with holes (low bounce, very different feel)

Which Sport Should You Try First?

Honestly, both are brilliant. But here are some rough guidelines:

Try padel if you:

• Have played tennis or squash before (the court and scoring will feel familiar)
• Want to play with exactly 3 friends (padel is always 4 players)
• Love the idea of using the walls as part of the game
• Have padel courts accessible nearby

Try pickleball if you:

• Want something you can play with 2 people (singles works well)
• Prefer indoor sport
• Like a slightly faster, more reaction-based game
• Are more comfortable on a smaller court

The honest truth: most people who try one end up trying the other. They appeal to the same crowd — social players who want to be active, have fun, and not take themselves too seriously.

Not sure which gear you need? Our beginner's buying guide breaks down exactly what to look for in your first racket — no jargon, no confusion.

Where Can You Play in New Zealand?

Both sports have courts dotted around the country.

For padel, check out our Where Can I Play page — we've mapped every padel court we know of across NZ. The scene is growing quickly, with new courts opening in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and beyond.

For pickleball, Sport NZ has resources on local clubs, and a quick search for "[your city] pickleball club" will usually turn up results. Most clubs run casual sessions that welcome complete beginners.

The Bottom Line

Padel and pickleball are both fantastic entry points into social sport. They're low-barrier, high-fun, and you don't need to be an athlete to enjoy either of them.

The best sport is the one you'll actually play — so pick whichever sounds more appealing and give it a go. Want to learn more? Check out our complete beginner's guide to padel or our breakdown of padel vs tennis.