Here’s a fun drinking game. Take a shot every time you hear padel or pickleball mentioned in Mumbai and you’ll be hauled off to the ER for alcohol poisoning. Never before have I seen a sport grip the city in such a chokehold. Padel has gone from niche to everywhere in Mumbai, with new courts popping up across the city and players going ham over leagues, tournaments, coaching sessions and weekend matches. It’s even giving cricket a run for its money with the fanatics.
Playing padel is just as much a status symbol as it is a sport. There’s the gear, the post-game coffees, the WhatsApp groups and, inevitably, the question of where you’re playing next. But the hype isn’t entirely without reason. Padel is easier to pick up than tennis (the tennis players will never not remind us), accessible to beginners and a great gateway into sports communities. You don’t need years of experience to get on a court, and doubles matches make it particularly easy to turn up with friends or find a new group to play with.
From padel courts in Bandra and Andheri to clubs across South Mumbai and beyond, there are now plenty of places to play padel in Mumbai, whether you’re looking for a casual game, coaching, competitive matches or a regular sporting community. Here are some of the best padel clubs in Mumbai to check out right now.
And because no one said you have to make your entire personality about sport, you can always follow a game with a drink at one of the city’s best dive bars or best cocktail bars.
Planning a longer Mumbai stay? Bookmark our guides to the best Airbnbs in Mumbai, best date night restaurants in Mumbai and best South Indian food in Mumbai for when the post-padel hunger inevitably kicks in.
Time Out tip: To help navigate the padel craze among other sports, download apps like Hudle or KheloMore to book venues (including many on the list), find open matches and sign up for tournaments, coaching and more. Booking via these apps can also score you some pretty neat discounts or coupons.
