How padel sport is making a splash in Kenya

A hybrid of tennis and squash, padel is played in doubles on a smaller enclosed glass-and-mesh court where players can use the glass walls to keep the ball in play.

The sport was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico by Enrique Corcuera, but it has only recently found a home in Kenya.

According to the Kenya Padel Federation on its official “About Us” website, padel was introduced to Kenya in 2023 when the first dedicated courts were opened in Nairobi.

What started as a niche sport for a small group of enthusiasts has quickly grown into a vibrant community.

In just a short time, clubs have emerged across the city attracting everyone from professional athletes and fitness lovers to families and young people looking for a new challenge.

The establishment of the KPF and its recognition by the International Padel Federation in 2024 gave the sport official backing and positioned Kenya as one of the emerging padel destinations in Africa.

What makes padel so appealing?

It is known for being highly social, and unlike tennis, beginners can enjoy long rallies almost immediately, making the game less intimidating and more fun from the first session.

Because it is played in pairs, it also has a strong social element. For many Kenyans, padel is not only just a sport, but also a way to stay fit, network and spend time with friends.

The sport is already making an impact beyond the court. New businesses have emerged around coaching, equipment sales and court construction thus creating jobs and investment opportunities.

There are now over 70 courts across the country. Hotels and fitness clubs are adding padel courts to attract customers while local tournaments are giving Kenyan players a platform to compete and improve.

In 2026, Nairobi hosted its first international FIP event, sanctioned by the International Padel Federation — a major milestone that brought global attention to Kenya’s growing padel scene.

Padel is also helping to diversify Kenya’s sporting culture. While football, athletics and rugby continue to dominate, padel offers something fresh and accessible to people who may never have considered themselves athletes. Its popularity among young professionals and students suggests it could become a lasting part of the country’s sports landscape.

“At KPF, our mission is to foster the growth of padel, encourage widespread participation and position Kenya as a formidable presence in the global padel community,” said KPF in a statement.

Like any emerging sport, padel still faces challenges. The cost of building courts and buying equipment is high and the sport is still concentrated mainly in urban areas but with rising interest, strong private investment and support from the KPF, padel continues to grow rapidly.

From a scarcely known game to one of the most talked about sports in Kenya, padel is proving that sometimes the biggest sporting revolutions begin on the smallest courts.