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Discover why padel is the viral sports trend in Indonesia. Explore its rise, communities, and why locals and expats love the game.
What is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It’s played in doubles format (two versus two) on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court (20×10 meters) surrounded by glass walls. These walls are key to the game, as the ball can bounce off them, creating dynamic and exciting strategies.
Some unique features of padel include:
- Uses solid rackets without strings, featuring small holes
- A ball similar to a tennis ball, but with lower pressure
- Fast-paced and dynamic gameplay
- The ball can bounce off walls, making game strategies more varied
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, from beginners to professional athletes
Due to these advantages, padel is a social sport that combines physical activity with entertainment and social interaction.
In Indonesia, padel is known as a more relaxed yet still challenging sport. Unlike tennis, which requires strong hitting technique and high precision, padel emphasizes strategy, ball placement, and teamwork. This is what makes it so popular among urban communities seeking enjoyable physical activity without the pressure of heavy competition.
Why is Padel So Popular in Indonesia?
The surge in padel’s popularity in Indonesia in 2025 is supported by several important factors:
- High Accessibility: Padel’s learning curve is very quick. A beginner can master the basics in just one or two sessions. “Padel is completely different, much easier for beginners. I only needed to play twice before I could enjoy rallies. Not like tennis, which takes a long time to master the basics,” says Maya, an office worker who recently tried padel in Jakarta.
- Support from Influencers and Celebrities: Several Indonesian celebrities and influencers are known to have started playing padel actively and posting their activities on social media. This increases exposure and public interest, making padel increasingly viral.
- Strong Social Aspect: Padel is a doubles sport. This naturally encourages social interaction and collaboration. Padel courts become perfect places to meet new friends, build professional connections, or simply spend quality time with family.
- Lifestyle and Aesthetics: Padel has a modern and stylish image. Many padel courts are built with aesthetic designs, making them perfect backdrops for social media posts. This sport isn’t just about fitness, but also about an active and healthy lifestyle that appeals to young generations and urbanites.
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: Despite appearing relaxed, padel is an effective cardio sport. It helps burn calories, improve reflexes, and strengthen muscles. Additionally, its social aspect is also beneficial for mental health, reducing stress and building camaraderie.
Development of Padel Facilities and Economy in Indonesia
The growth of padel facilities has been very rapid in 2025. In Jakarta alone, more than 50 new courts opened, ranging from premium facilities in business centers to more casual courts in residential areas. Companies like La Padel even plan to build dozens of new courts in Greater Jakarta, showing the huge market demand.
In Yogyakarta, around 15 new padel venues have been built, supporting local athlete regeneration and facilitating fans of this sport.
Investors and business players are starting to see padel’s huge potential as a business opportunity that combines healthy lifestyle trends with entertainment. Supporting industries like padel equipment stores are also beginning to develop, providing rackets, balls, and other padel-specific equipment.
Furthermore, padel tournaments are increasingly common. The Indonesian Padel Federation (PBPI) organizes various events, from national circuits (Sirnas Padel 2025) in various cities like Bandung, Surabaya, and Bali, to amateur tournaments like Liga Padel. These tournaments serve not only as competitive venues but also as gathering places for communities.
For expatriates interested in learning padel in Jakarta, facility options are increasingly diverse. Some clubs worth trying include:
- Padel Pro Kemang: Famous for international-standard facilities and often hosts major tournaments
- East Kemang Padel Court: A location frequently used for fun matches and community events
- Padel Courts at Ciputra International: A new project set to open at the end of 2025
Ready to Play Padel? Here's What You Need to Know!
For those who want to try padel for the first time, here’s a quick guide:
1. Basic Equipment:
Padel racket (lighter than tennis)
Padel ball (similar to a tennis ball, but lower pressure)
Sports shoes with a good grip
2. Game Duration: One match usually lasts 60–90 minutes
3. Basic Rules:
Service is done underhandedly
The ball may bounce off the walls
Scoring similar to tennis (15, 30, 40, deuce)
4. Costs:
Court rental in Jakarta/Bali ranges from Rp 300,000 to Rp 500,000 per hour (2025)
Court rental in Yogyakarta ranges from Rp 150,000 to Rp 450,000 per hour (2025)
Padel rackets start from Rp 1.5 million to Rp 5 million, depending on the brand
Essential Tips for Beginner Padel Players
For those wanting to try padel, here are some tips for beginners to immediately enjoy the game:
- Find the nearest padel club or court in your city with complete facilities
- Use standard padel rackets and balls, don’t use regular tennis equipment
- Start with basic training to understand rules and hitting techniques
- Play with friends or join communities to learn while building networks
- Enjoy the learning process and don’t hesitate to join local tournaments to evaluate your skills
Padel: The Growing Urban Sports Trend
Padel in Indonesia isn’t just a passing trend, but a sports phenomenon that’s exploding in 2025. With its unique combination of tennis excitement and squash agility, padel offers an easily accessible, beginner-friendly, and highly social sports experience. Padel’s popularity has surged because it’s easy to learn quickly, widely supported by influencers, and fits the healthy and modern lifestyle that many people desire.
The massive growth of padel facilities in major cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali is clear evidence that this sport has a bright future. For you, whether residents or expatriates, padel isn’t just a means to maintain fitness, but also a bridge to build new connections and become part of a dynamic and friendly community.
With increasingly numerous communities, tournaments, and playing locations available, this is the perfect time to pick up a racket, join a community, and experience for yourself why padel has become Indonesia’s hottest sport. So, which padel court will you visit first? Grab a racket and feel the excitement yourself!
