Padel for older people: From beginner to competition

Padel is a low impact sport with a short learning curve, which offers excellent cardiovascular exercise, but due to its smaller court size and doubles format it doesn't require high fitness levels to take part (especially at recreational level). These factors make it ideal for seniors.

Playing alongside a partner and with opponents at close quarters makes padel an incredibly sociable experience too. That's why it is a great vehicle in combating the isolation and loneliness that affects many people in later life.

How can older people start playing padel?

You can find your nearest padel venue using our ‘find a padel court’ function. Type in your location and it produces a list of nearby clubs, ordered by distance, each one with a link to book a court.

Court bookings are typically made online - either through an app or a website, depending on the venue - after a quick registration process.

These platforms can also help you find playing partners or opponents of a similar age and ability, and many venues can support with this too, so it’s worth speaking to club staff for guidance.

Many clubs will have an on-site coach who will introduce you to the sport, as well as regular intro sessions and social mix-ins for beginners to take their first steps into playing the game.

A lot of clubs are now hosting specific sessions for older age groups, as well as those with specific disabilities or conditions, such as Parkinson's, visual impairments or wheelchair users.

For example, Soul Padel, is one of many clubs offering sociable padel sessions for older people. They run a programme across all its clubs called Soul Timers, which offers a pressure-free space for older people to enjoy "a rally and a chat" regardless of previous racket sports experience.

How to get started playing padel

Where can older players get involved in competitive padel?

If you're ready to step out of your comfort zone and into the world of competition, why not sign up for a tournament or competitive match at your local venue? Padel clubs and venues often host casual, social competitions that players can easily get involved in, offering a relaxed way to gain match experience and meet others.

Speaking to club staff is a great place to start as they can help point you towards suitable events and opportunities.

For more experienced competitors, there are plenty of opportunities to compete nationally, with senior tournaments becoming increasingly popular as the sport continues to grow.

LTA Padel Competitions

LTA padel competitions take place all-year round and include age-group competitions from 35+ all the way up to 80+ for men and women.

LTA Seniors events are graded from Grade 5 (for players new to competition) to Grade 1 (advanced to pro level). You can seach for upcoming LTA Seniors events here.

Results feed into the LTA padel senior rankings for men and women for 40+, 50+ and 60+ players.

The LTA Padel National Championships, the first edition of which took place in December 2025 in Bristol, includes 50+ and 60+ draws for men and women.

The annual UK Padel County Championships feature 40+, 50+ and 60+ men's, women's and mixed draws, giving players the chance to represent their county in a competitive and sociable environment.

International senior padel competitions

The top age-group players have the opportunity to represent Great Britain at international level, competing in events such as the European and World Senior Padel Championships, organised by the International Padel Federation (FIP). The tournaments happen biennially.

These prestigious competitions bring together the best players across multiple age categories, offering a pathway to compete on the global stage.

Other competitions and events

Additional opportunities include Legends Padel, which delivers training camps and competitions for players aged 60 and over. Meanwhile, UK Padel Four Nations, offers competitive team formats across 40+, 50+ and 60+ categories.

The Euro Padel League (EPL) also provides a more social, team-based competition experience, bringing together players from across the Great Britain and around the world.