The fastest growing sport in the world, Padel, has arrived in Wigan.
Originating in Mexico in the 1960s and with celebrity fans such as David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal, the first Padel courts have now opened at the Cotton Works, with a pledge from the operators to get children involved and make it accessible to everyone in the community.
What’s happening in Wigan was given the first go on the court.
Padel Parx’s first site is located at The Cotton Works, the multi-million pound redevelopment of Eckersley Mill on Swan Meadow Lane. It has one single and two double Padel Alba Panoramic Courts, set against the backdrop of the mill.
All week this week Padel Parx is holding a ‘soft opening’, encouraging as many people as possible to come and try it out. The open-air courts will be open from 7am until 10pm every day, and they are wheelchair accessible. You can hire the raquets and balls, until you decide if you want to invest in your own.
What is Padel?
Padel is a fast-growing racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It’s typically played in doubles and is known for being easy to learn, highly social, and great fun.
Padel originated in Mexico in the 1960s and is especially popular in Spain and Latin America—but it’s now rapidly gaining popularity in the UK and around the world with many famous faces embracing it – including sporting icons Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., David Beckham, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
What is a Padel Court Like?
- Size: Smaller than a tennis court—20 metres long by 10 metres wide.
- Surface: Usually artificial turf or sand-filled carpet for grip and bounce.
- Walls: Enclosed by glass and metal mesh fencing. The back walls and part of the side walls are glass, allowing the ball to bounce off them and stay in play.
- Net: A standard net divides the court in the middle, like in tennis.
What is a Padel Court Like?
- Size: Smaller than a tennis court—20 metres long by 10 metres wide.
- Surface: Usually artificial turf or sand-filled carpet for grip and bounce.
- Walls: Enclosed by glass and metal mesh fencing. The back walls and part of the side walls are glass, allowing the ball to bounce off them and stay in play.
- Net: A standard net divides the court in the middle, like in tennis.
How Do You Play Padel?
- Players: Padel is played in doubles (2 vs. 2), though there are some single courts too.
- Scoring: The scoring system is the same as tennis.
- Serve: The serve must be underhand, with the ball bounced once behind the service line and then hit diagonally into the opposite service box.
Gameplay:
- The ball must bounce once on the ground before hitting the back or side walls.
- You can use the glass walls to keep the ball in play, much like squash.
- You can also play volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces), but not off the serve.
- Points are lost if the ball bounces twice, hits a player, or hits the walls before bouncing.
Rik Bennett, one of the founders of Padel Parx told us their mission is to get more children playing padel, to get them active, and give back to the community with their ‘Play it Forward’ ethos.
He said: “We want to encourage local brands and businesses to become ‘Community Padel Partners’ and buy and gift court time back to local schools, community groups and charitable organisations.
“We have already developed a great relationship with Wigan Youth Zone, are speaking to Fur Clemt, Community Grocery, Rebuild with Hope Foundation and Everyday Lessons to see how we can help them.
“Yes, we want more people playing Padel, but if we can utilise the interest around padel to give back to the community, then that’s fantastic, as we’re doing something we enjoy, but we’re also making a difference.”
📍 Padel Parx – The Cotton Works, Wigan
Address: Swan Meadow Road, The Cotton Works, Wigan, WN3 5BE
Courts: 2 outdoor doubles courts + 1 singles/beginners court
📧 Contact:
Email: riki@padelparx.co.uk or roger@padelparx.co.uk
🔗 Follow Padel Parx Online:
📘 Facebook: Padel Parx on Facebook
📸 Instagram: @padel_parx on Instagram
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