- 13
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Padel Up: The Rise of Padel
From a Mexican garden to the world's fastest growing sport — the extraordinary story of how padel conquered the globe.
- Publisher
- Podra Network
- Category
- sports
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 24 Jun 2026
- Latest episode
- 24 Jun 2026
Latest episodes
13 episodes in the feed.
24 Jun 2026
The Fastest Game on Earth: Where Padel Goes Next
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores one of the most compelling questions in sport right now: where does padel go next? From its origins in 1969 Mexico to a global phenomenon boasting an estimated 25 million players worldwide, padel has undergone one of the most remarkable growth trajectories in modern sporting history. Jack breaks down the key drivers behind padel's explosive popularity, including its accessible learning curve, its built-in social doubles format, and the thriving club culture that keeps players coming back. The episode also examines the professional landscape, looking at the progress towards a unified global tour, the growing interest from major sponsors, and what broadcast deals could mean for the sport's mainstream visibility. Listeners will hear analysis of the most exciting emerging markets for padel, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, as well as a look at how innovative court design is helping the sport penetrate urban environments in new and flexible ways. The episode doesn't shy away from the real challenges padel faces, including governance complexity, the cost of court infrastructure, and the importance of keeping the sport accessible to players from all backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned padel player, a club owner, an investor, or someone who just discovered the game last weekend, this episode is packed with insight and perspective on the sport's extraordinary future. Subscribe to Padel Up wherever you get your podcasts. Keywords: padel podcast, rise of padel, padel growth, padel future, padel worldwide, Premier Padel, padel courts, padel sport.
24 Jun 2026
The Padel Economy: Clubs, Rackets and a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer takes a deep dive into the booming padel economy — exploring how a sport that began in Mexico in the late 1960s has evolved into a multi-billion dollar global industry. From the investment behind padel club construction and the profitability of court hire models, to the explosive growth of padel equipment brands and the rise of professional tours, this episode covers every angle of the padel business landscape. Jack examines how countries like Spain, with over 20,000 padel courts, have built mature club economies that entrepreneurs worldwide are now replicating. He also explores how the UK padel market is rapidly developing, with new venues opening across major cities and both private investment and national governing bodies getting involved. The padel equipment market receives detailed attention, including how specialist Spanish brands like Bullpadel, Nox and StarVie established early dominance, and how global giants including Adidas, Head and Wilson are now competing aggressively for market share across all price points. The episode also looks at the professional game, including the Premier Padel tour and World Padel Tour, assessing the growth potential of sponsorship, media rights and player commercial value. Key topics covered: padel club investment and ROI, padel court construction costs, padel equipment market, padel industry growth statistics, Premier Padel Tour, padel in the UK, global padel market value, padel racket brands. Whether you're a padel player, a sports business professional, or an investor curious about emerging markets, this episode delivers essential insight into one of sport's most exciting economic stories. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel wherever you listen to podcasts.
24 Jun 2026
Smashing Boundaries: Padel Arrives in Asia, Africa and Beyond
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the rapidly expanding global footprint of padel tennis, with a deep dive into its emergence across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. From the gleaming courts of Dubai to the urban clubs of Tokyo, Seoul, and Lagos, padel is crossing cultural and geographic boundaries at a remarkable pace. Jack examines how the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have become key growth markets, fuelled by lifestyle culture, infrastructure investment, and a young international demographic. He then travels east to Japan, where padel's technical precision fits neatly into an established racquet sports tradition, and to China and South Korea, where urban density and social media influence are helping the sport gain momentum. The episode also shines a light on Africa, with Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa all featuring in the padel conversation. Jack explores how the sport's social, doubles-only format makes it culturally adaptable, while also acknowledging the infrastructure challenges that remain in newer markets. Underpinning the whole episode is the question of padel's Olympic ambitions and how federation-building in non-traditional markets is bringing that goal closer to reality. Whether you're a padel player, a sports industry professional, or simply fascinated by how new sports spread around the world, this episode offers a compelling, well-researched look at the game's global rise. Keywords: padel tennis, padel in Asia, padel in Africa, padel Middle East, Dubai padel, padel Japan, padel Nigeria, global padel growth, International Padel Federation, padel podcast, rise of padel, padel Olympics.
24 Jun 2026
Premier Padel vs The World: The Battle for the Soul of the Sport
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores one of the most important and hotly debated topics in professional padel today: the governance battle between Premier Padel, the World Padel Tour, and the International Padel Federation. From the rapid global growth of padel to the high-stakes commercial conflicts that erupted as serious investment entered the sport, Jack breaks down the key players, the competing visions, and what it all means for the future of padel at every level. This episode covers the origins of Premier Padel and its backing by the FIP and Qatar Sports Investments, the existing dominance of the World Padel Tour and the tensions that arose when two major circuits competed for players and fans, the legal and contractual disputes that left players caught in the middle, and the broader philosophical question of who should control a rapidly growing global sport. Jack also examines both sides of the argument fairly, looking at the case for unified governance and the concerns around power concentration, grassroots impact, and the unique social culture that has driven padel's explosive popularity worldwide. Whether you are a club player, a padel coach, a fan of the professional game, or simply someone curious about the business of sport, this episode offers essential context for understanding where padel is headed and why the decisions being made right now matter so much. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel on all major podcast platforms. Keywords: padel podcast, Premier Padel, World Padel Tour, FIP, padel governance, professional padel, padel growth, padel tour.
24 Jun 2026
Money Moves: The Investors and Billionaires Betting on Padel
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the explosive growth of investment in padel, examining why billionaires, private equity firms, and global sports organisations are betting big on the world's fastest growing sport. From Qatar Sports Investments backing Premier Padel to former tennis world number one Andy Murray investing in padel businesses in the UK, the episode breaks down the major players driving padel's commercial transformation. Jack examines why football clubs, celebrity athletes, and institutional investors are racing to secure their position in a sport that has grown from a regional pastime into a global industry. The episode also takes an honest look at the infrastructure investment boom, exploring how purpose-built padel facility chains are attracting serious capital across Europe, and why markets like the United Kingdom and Sweden have become particular focal points for growth investment. Jack addresses the bubble question head-on, weighing the risks of speculative investment against genuine participation growth, improving media rights landscapes, and the sport's unique social accessibility that sets it apart from many competitor sports. Whether you're a padel enthusiast, a sports business professional, or simply curious about where the smart money is moving, this episode offers a compelling and balanced perspective on padel's financial revolution. Keywords: padel investment, padel business, Premier Padel funding, padel growth, sports investment, Qatar Sports Investments padel, Andy Murray padel, padel UK, padel facilities, padel industry, padel podcast, rise of padel, padel money, sports finance podcast.
24 Jun 2026
Northern Invasion: How Padel Stormed Europe
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the remarkable story of how padel became one of Europe's fastest-growing sports. From its origins in Acapulco, Mexico in the late 1960s to its adoption in Spain and subsequent explosion across northern Europe, this episode traces the cultural and commercial forces that turned a backyard invention into a continental phenomenon. Jack covers the key milestones in European padel history, including the sport's early introduction to Spain, the explosive growth in Sweden and Italy during the 2010s, and the accelerating development of padel in the United Kingdom backed by significant institutional investment from bodies like the Lawn Tennis Association. The episode examines why padel has resonated so deeply with European sports culture, looking at the sport's social doubles format, its accessibility for new players, the role of entrepreneurial investment in northern Europe, and the influence of professional tour structures in building mainstream audiences. Whether you're a seasoned padel player or someone who's only just discovered the sport, this episode delivers the full context of why padel is one of the most talked-about sporting growth stories of our time. Keywords: padel Europe, rise of padel, padel history, padel UK, padel Sweden, padel Italy, padel Spain, World Padel Tour, padel growth, European padel, padel explained, padel podcast, racket sports, padel beginners, Padel Up podcast, Jack Mercer padel, padel culture, padel courts, padel doubles, padel investment. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel wherever you get your podcasts.
24 Jun 2026
Kings and Queens of the Court: The Legends Who Defined the Game
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer takes a deep dive into the legends who defined padel and transformed it from a regional pastime into a global sporting phenomenon. Discover the stories behind the kings and queens of the padel court, from the extraordinary dominance of Fernando Belasteguín and his record-breaking reign at world number one, to the tactical brilliance of Juan Martín Díaz and the outstanding achievements of women's stars Gemma Triay and Alejandra Salazar. This episode explores how elite padel players became more than champions — they became ambassadors for the sport, helping to grow padel across Europe and beyond. Learn about the legendary partnerships that shaped professional padel, the skills and mindsets that kept these players at the top for years, and the lasting impact they have had on the sport's rising global popularity. Whether you are a seasoned padel player, a tennis fan curious about the world's fastest-growing racket sport, or someone who just discovered padel for the first time, this episode gives you a compelling look at the human stories behind the sport's greatest names. Topics covered include the career of Fernando Belasteguín, Juan Martín Díaz padel legacy, Gemma Triay and women's padel, Alejandra Salazar World Championships, Pablo Lima padel career, history of professional padel, World Padel Tour legends, and the growth of padel in Europe. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel for new episodes covering padel news, history, tips, and the culture of the world's most exciting racket sport.
24 Jun 2026
The World Padel Tour: Building a Global Circuit
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the history and legacy of the World Padel Tour — the professional circuit that transformed padel from a regional passion into a globally recognised competitive sport. From its founding in 2012 to its eventual transition into the Premier Padel era, this episode traces the key milestones that shaped professional padel as we know it today. Jack breaks down how the World Padel Tour structured its calendar across Masters, Open, and Challenger events, creating a season-long narrative that kept fans engaged and gave players a clear competitive pathway. The episode highlights how international venues from Madrid to Doha helped position padel as a truly global sport, not just a Spanish or South American phenomenon. We also discuss the players who defined the tour's golden era, including Fernando Belasteguín, Juan Martín Díaz, Alejandro Galán, Juan Lebrón, Gemma Triay, and Alejandra Salazar, and examine how the tour's investment in digital content and live streaming helped grow a worldwide fanbase. The episode closes with an honest look at the transition to Premier Padel in 2023 and what it means for the future of the professional game. Whether you're a padel enthusiast, a racket sports fan, or just discovering the sport for the first time, this episode gives you the context you need to understand how professional padel got to where it is today. Keywords: World Padel Tour, Premier Padel, professional padel, padel circuit history, padel podcast, padel players, padel rankings, Jack Mercer, Padel Up podcast, racket sports.
24 Jun 2026
Walled In: The Science and Magic of the Glass Court
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer takes a deep dive into one of the most distinctive features of the sport: the glass court walls. From the origins of padel in 1969 Mexico to the engineering precision behind modern tempered glass panels, this episode explores the science, history, and unique sensory experience that makes the padel court unlike anything else in racket sports. Jack covers the invention of padel by Enrique Corcuera and how the walled court concept was central to the sport from day one. He traces the evolution from solid concrete walls to the transparent glass panels that define the modern game, and explains why the introduction of glass was so transformative for spectators, broadcasters, and players alike. The episode goes deep into the materials science of tempered glass, explaining the thermal tempering process, why safety glass shatters differently, and how the slight flex in glass panels directly affects ball rebound and tactics. Jack also explores the acoustic properties of glass courts, the engineering challenges of outdoor temperature fluctuation, and why the back glass has become such a rich tactical zone for experienced players. Whether you are a beginner just discovering padel or a seasoned club player, this episode will change the way you look at the court around you. Topics covered: padel court construction, tempered glass science, padel history, court acoustics, ball rebound physics, indoor vs outdoor padel courts, padel tactics. Subscribe to Padel Up wherever you get your podcasts and follow us for weekly episodes on the fastest-growing sport in the world.
24 Jun 2026
Sun, Sand and Smashes: Padel Explodes Across Latin America
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the explosive growth of padel across Latin America, tracing the sport from its origins in Mexico in 1969 to the padel powerhouses of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and beyond. Discover how Enrique Corcuera's inventive court in Acapulco sparked a global phenomenon, and why Argentina remains the world's most passionate padel nation with millions of active players and thousands of courts embedded in everyday life. Jack digs into what makes Latin America so unique in the global padel story, from the democratic spread of the sport across all social classes in Buenos Aires, to the beach culture overlap driving padel's surge in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. We also explore Chile's growing club scene, Mexico's deep-rooted connection to the sport it gave the world, and the vital role Latin American coaches and players have played in exporting padel globally. Whether you're a seasoned padel player or just discovering the sport, this episode offers a rich and fascinating look at the cultural heartland of padel and the community spirit that makes it so irresistible. Topics covered include: history of padel, padel in Argentina, padel in Brazil, padel in Mexico, padel in Chile, padel culture, padel courts, padel growth, padel community, Latin American sport, padel origins, padel global expansion, padel podcast. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel for new episodes exploring how padel is changing the sporting world. Leave a review and share with your padel friends!
24 Jun 2026
Spain Catches the Bug: How Padel Conquered a Nation
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores one of the most compelling stories in modern sports history — how Spain transformed from an early adopter of padel into the undisputed global capital of the game. From its aristocratic beginnings at the Marbella Club in the early 1970s to the bustling municipal courts of Madrid and Barcelona, Spain's padel journey is a masterclass in how a sport can transcend social boundaries and become a true national obsession. Jack traces the key milestones that shaped padel's rise in Spain, including the founding of the Real Federación Española de Pádel in 1991, the role of high-profile early advocates, and the cultural factors that made padel such a natural fit for Spanish life — from the climate and urban landscape to the country's deeply social sporting culture. The episode also examines Spain's extraordinary production of world-class padel talent, including legendary figures like Fernando Belasteguín, Juan Martín Díaz, Ale Galán, and Juan Lebrón, and explains how Spanish dominance on the professional circuit helped fuel domestic participation at every level. Whether you're a seasoned padel player or just discovering the sport, this episode gives you the full context for understanding why Spain remains the heartbeat of global padel. Keywords: padel Spain, history of padel, padel origins, Marbella padel, Real Federación Española de Pádel, padel podcast, rise of padel, padel culture, Spanish padel players, World Padel Tour, padel courts Spain, Padel Up podcast, Jack Mercer padel, padel explained, padel growth Europe.
24 Jun 2026
The Accidental Inventor: The Story of Enrique Corcuera
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the remarkable origin story of padel, tracing it back to its inventor, Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera. In 1969, Corcuera built a modified court on his property in Acapulco, Mexico, after discovering he lacked the space for a full-sized tennis court. Using solid paddles, enclosed walls, and adapted rules, he inadvertently created one of the world's fastest growing sports. Jack explores how Spanish nobleman Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg discovered the game during a visit to Acapulco and introduced it to Europe by building courts at the Marbella Club in Spain. From there, padel spread rapidly through Spanish society, eventually becoming a mainstream sport enjoyed by millions. The episode reflects on what Corcuera's story tells us about innovation, creativity, and the role of constraint in generating brilliant ideas. Padel's unique combination of accessibility, social play, and exciting gameplay helped it transcend its elite origins to become a truly global sport. Enrique Corcuera passed away in 2021, having witnessed his accidental invention grow into an international phenomenon. His legacy is celebrated by padel players around the world. Whether you are new to padel or a seasoned player, this episode offers a compelling look at where it all began. Keywords: padel history, Enrique Corcuera, origin of padel, padel inventor, padel Acapulco, Alfonso de Hohenlohe, Marbella Club padel, history of padel sport, padel podcast, rise of padel, padel explained, Jack Mercer Padel Up.
24 Jun 2026
Born on a Rooftop: The Mexican Origins of Padel
In this episode of Padel Up: The Rise of Padel, host Jack Mercer explores the fascinating origin story of padel, tracing the sport back to its birthplace in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. Discover how Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera invented padel almost by accident when limited space on his property led him to build a smaller, enclosed court that would change the world of racket sports forever. Jack explores how the sport's defining features, its walled courts, fast rallies, and social four-player format, were shaped directly by the physical constraints of that very first court. From a private game shared among friends in Acapulco, padel made its way to Europe through Spanish nobleman Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg, who brought the sport to Marbella in the early 1970s. From there, Spain embraced padel with extraordinary enthusiasm, becoming the global capital of the game. This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about padel history, the origins of padel, and how a sport invented on a Mexican rooftop became one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world today. Topics covered in this episode include: the invention of padel in Mexico, Enrique Corcuera and the first padel court, padel's arrival in Spain and Marbella, the social and cultural DNA of padel, and why padel's origin story mirrors its global rise. Whether you're a seasoned padel player or brand new to the sport, this episode gives you the perfect foundation for understanding where padel came from and why it has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Subscribe to Padel Up: The Rise of Padel for weekly episodes covering padel history, culture, and the sport's exciting future.
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