For the first time in the sport’s history in the United States, October has been officially designated as National Padel Month, a sweeping, industry-wide initiative designed to introduce padel to new players and communities, celebrate elite competition, and recognize the individuals and organizations propelling the sport into the American mainstream.
Organized by the United States Padel Association, alongside industry partners and USPA member clubs, the month-long campaign brings together three signature programs: grassroots learn-to-play clinics at clubs across the country, the prestigious US Open Padel Championships, and the inaugural USA Padel Awards. Together, they form a comprehensive calendar of events that promises to be the biggest month in American padel history.
Learn to Play: Participating clubs across the United States will host structured introductory clinics, open courts, and beginner-friendly programming throughout October, lowering the barrier to entry for anyone curious about playing padel for the first time.
US Open Padel Championships: The crown jewel of American padel competition returns in October, bringing together the nation’s top players and international contenders for a high-stakes tournament that showcases the athleticism and excitement the sport delivers at its highest level.
USA Padel Awards: A new tradition begins with the inaugural USA Padel Awards, honoring the players, coaches, clubs, and advocates who have driven the sport’s remarkable growth and helped put American padel on the world map.
“We are incredibly excited to bring this initiative to the industry. October offers us a real opportunity to introduce the sport to new players and communities. The growth we have seen over the past few years has been exceptional, and National Padel Month is a continued awareness and a way to bring padel to more people right across the USA,” said Bill Ullman, President of USPA.
A Sport Whose Moment Has Arrived
Padel is played on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court, with walls that are very much in play, and it has quietly become one of the most-played sports on the planet. From its origins in Mexico and its explosion across Spain and Latin America, the sport has found eager audiences in Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly, the United States. Its accessibility is a key driver, as players of all ages and athletic backgrounds can enjoy a rally-filled game within minutes of picking up a racquet.
The American market has been among the most dynamic in the world over the past several years. New courts are opening at an accelerating pace, purpose-built padel facilities are attracting investment, and established tennis and multi-sport clubs alike are converting or adding padel courts to meet surging demand. National Padel Month is positioned as a capstone moment and a chance to translate that infrastructure growth into deeper community roots.
The learn-to-play component is particularly significant. By activating clubs as local hubs for beginner programming in October, the initiative ensures that the sport’s growing footprint is matched by growing participation. Whether someone has watched padel online, seen a new court in their neighborhood, or simply heard a friend rave about it, October offers a formal, welcoming entry point into the game.
Competition and Celebration
The US Open Padel Championships brings a competitive focal point to the month. Showcasing the sport at its most elite inspires players at every level and generates the kind of media moment that can shift public awareness in a meaningful way. Championship events have historically been among the most effective tools for growing participation in racquet sports, and padel is no exception.
Equally important is the storytelling dimension that the USA Padel Awards provides. Recognizing the human stories behind the sport’s rise, including the coaches who have introduced hundreds of students to the game, the clubs that took a chance on building courts before the demand was obvious, and the players who have represented the country on the global stage, creates a cultural narrative that goes beyond scores and rankings. It signals that padel in America has a history worth celebrating and a future worth investing in.
As the sport continues its upward trajectory, National Padel Month stands as a milestone and a clear statement that padel has arrived in the United States, with its best days still ahead.
About the United States Padel Association
The United States Padel Association (USPA) is the national governing body for padel in the United States, a recognized member of the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Padel America. A nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, the USPA promotes competitive and recreational padel through national tournaments, player development programs, certified officiating, and international team representation. Learn more at padelusa.org.
Media Contact
Scott Colebourne
Executive Director and CEO
United States Padel Association
scott@padelusa.org