Seeking a good match? Try padel dating...
• 3 minutes read
Padel's current explosion has strong links with wider social changes: a growing desire for real-life connections and community, and an increasing priority on health and wellness.
Another societal shift that padel is now tapping into is the increasing burnout and frustration with online dating. The superficial interactions, fruitless swiping and pressure around the whole process are leading to a desire for better ways of finding a partner.
Enter padel dating. Placing a healthy, fun, social, trendy, accessible, pressure-free activity at the heart of the courting process is proving to be a massive hit with those seeking an alternative route to romantic fulfilment.
Chrissie Hoolahan was one of the first in Britain to recognise the potential of the padel court as a playground for those looking for love.
She founded her events company Padel Match in September 2024 and has held many padel dating nights at various London venues including Rocks Lane Chiswick, Padel Box Bermondsey and the National Tennis Centre.
Chrissie says, "At my events, people are there to play padel, first and foremost, with slightly less focus on the dating. It's very social, you don't have to worry about getting too sweaty or being the best player, it's just about having fun.
"Padel makes it so easy to chat to your partner and your opponents on court which is what makes it so ideal. It's such an easy sport for everyone to play. It's very social, chill and pressure-free, unlike the dating apps which people are now really fed up with."
Chrissie says that most players at Padel Match nights attend through a desire to "meet someone in real-life" rather than inhibiting 2D conversations online. Her event format deliberately facilitates this.
There is an even ratio (usually 16 men and 16 women), starting with an informal welcome and rounds of three 10-minute mixed doubles matches, with partners swapped each time.
When Chrissie blows her whistle to signal the end of each 10-minute match, all partnerships give their scores in, so there is an individual male and female winner at the end.
After a quick refreshment, the next activity is 'King and Queen of the Court' (which regular players may be familiar with). Pairs compete to advance to the top court, with winners moving up and swapping, and losers moving down and swapping.
By this point in the event, however, Chrissie doesn't insist on a rigid structure. "Sometimes, getting people back on court is challenging, because they are enjoying getting to know each other and socialising. I make it so they can sit out and chat and those who want to keep playing can do that too."
For many who attend, padel is the priority. "I find people just want to play padel, the dating part is just a bonus," explains Chrissie.
"A lot of people come along because they're actually struggling to get a court and they want to come where that bit is organised for them. That's been an interest angle to it."
With full courts and a packed bar afterwards, there's obvious benefit for the host clubs too.
With all the pressure that comes with online dating, Chrissie finds that what her players desperately want is an antidote to those exhausting experiences.
"Padel puts boys and girls together in a way where conversations can take place organically," she explains. "Is it a bit cringe to have a more forced dating aspect to it. I want to avoid all the awkwardness."
With that in mind, Chrissie gives players freedom to swap numbers or Instagram profiles should they wish to, rather than the more formal speed dating feedback forms. Often, she gets asked to pass on other players' details in the days after each event.
She added, "You've might not meet 'your person' that you want to marry, but many people have told me they've met people they now play padel with... and who knows where that might lead?"
