From Acapulco to Armenia: The Story of Padel

Padel is one of the most exciting sports stories of the modern era. What started in 1969 at Las Brisas in Acapulco, Mexico, grew from a practical idea into a global movement played across more than 150 countries. According to the International Padel Federation, the sport was invented by Enrique Corcuera, who adapted the space available at his home into a smaller 20 x 10 metre court enclosed by walls. That creative solution became the first padel court in history.

In the 1970s, padel expanded beyond Mexico. Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe helped introduce it to Spain, while Julio Menditeguy brought it to Argentina. These two countries became central to the sport’s early development and helped shape padel into the dynamic, social, and competitive game we know today.

A major step came on July 12, 1991, when the International Padel Federation, known as FIP, was founded in Madrid by the Argentine, Spanish, and Uruguayan padel associations. This helped formalize governance, unify rules, and support the international growth of the sport. In 1992, the first World Padel Championships were held in Spain, giving padel a stronger global stage.

Over the decades, padel continued to grow through national federations, junior development, professional circuits, and international tournaments. FIP reports that by 2023, padel had reached 70 affiliated federations and more than 160 international tournaments, and by 2026 the sport had grown to 100 affiliated federations, more than 150 countries, and approximately 35 million amateur players worldwide.

That global momentum matters for Armenia. Armenian Padel League is building the local future of the sport through tournaments, clubs, rankings, community growth, and digital development. On its website, APL presents a mission focused on promoting and developing padel in Armenia through innovation, community, and international collaboration. The platform also highlights goals such as national leagues, tournaments, rankings, live scoring, and club growth.

For new players, the story of padel is inspiring because it shows how a sport can grow from one court into a worldwide community. For Armenia, it is also a reminder that the next chapter of padel is still being written. And that creates a real opportunity for local clubs, players, partners, and fans to shape what Armenian padel becomes next.

At APL, this is more than a trend. It is the start of a sports culture with room to grow. From Acapulco to Armenia, the story of padel is still moving forward.