Padel Is an Asian Games Sport Now: What That Means for India
Padel's Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya moves it from a members-club novelty to a medal sport. Here is what changes for Indian players — and what to buy.
Padel at the Asian Games 2026: the sport just changed status in India
Padel at the Asian Games 2026 is the biggest structural thing to happen to the sport in Asia, and it happened quietly. The Games are running at Aichi-Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with padel on the programme alongside the established Olympic sports. India has sent a 496-strong contingent across 36 sports to these Games. Whatever the result on court, the listing itself does something no amount of private-club growth could: it pulls padel into the federation, funding and selection machinery.
That matters in India specifically. Until now, padel here has grown through commercial courts in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad and Pune — pay-per-hour venues aimed at adults who already play tennis or squash. Continental-multisport status is what turns a venue-led boom into a pathway: state associations, junior categories, ranking events, and eventually coaching certification.
What actually changes for Indian padel players
- Structured competition. Medal sports acquire national championships and selection trials. Expect more ranked events and fewer purely social tournaments.
- Court supply follows demand. Venues invest ahead of a competitive calendar, which usually means more panoramic courts and more off-peak availability.
- Coaching gets formalised. Right now most Indian padel coaching is tennis coaching adapted on the fly. That changes when there is a pathway to coach towards.
- Equipment choices start mattering. Social players can win with any racket. Ranked players cannot.
Padel is not tennis and not pickleball
Padel uses a solid, stringless, perforated racket, an enclosed glass-and-mesh court, underarm serving, and walls that stay in play. It is doubles-first by design. If you have played squash, the wall play will feel natural; if you have played tennis, the racket and the serve will not.
Choosing your first padel racket in India
Racket shape is the decision that matters most, and it is simpler than the marketing suggests. Round rackets put the sweet spot in the middle of the face and are forgiving; teardrop sits between; diamond pushes the balance towards the tip for power and punishes off-centre hits. Beginners should buy round or teardrop, full stop.
| Shape | Balance | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Low (handle-heavy) | First racket, control, easy manoeuvring at the net |
| Teardrop | Medium | Improving players wanting some extra power |
| Diamond | High (tip-heavy) | Advanced players with reliable technique |
- Bullpadel Indiga CTR 26 Padel Racket — ₹9,099. A control-oriented frame — the sensible first ranked-play racket.
- Bullpadel Indiga PWR 26 Padel Racket — ₹9,099. The power-biased sibling for a player who already finishes points at the net.
- Puma Nova Padel Pro WMN Padel Racket — ₹6,499. The lowest-cost serious racket here, and a fair entry price for a sport you are still testing.
- LOK Be Flow Gen 2 Padel Racket — ₹11,199. A step up for a player training weekly.
Shoes are the part people skip
Padel is played on artificial turf with sand infill, and running shoes slide on it. A padel-specific outsole — usually a clay-court-style herringbone or a hybrid pattern — gives you the controlled slide the surface expects. The Asics Sonicsmash FF Padel Shoes at ₹11,899 are built for exactly that surface.
What a realistic starter budget looks like
A first padel setup in India — racket, shoes, a wrist cord and balls — lands between ₹8,000 and ₹20,000 depending on how far up the racket ladder you go. Court hire, not equipment, is the recurring cost: most Indian venues charge by the hour and split four ways, which is why padel spreads through friend groups rather than individuals.
Shop the gear
- Puma Nova Padel Pro WMN Padel Racket — ₹6,499
- Bullpadel Indiga CTR 26 Padel Racket — ₹9,099
- Bullpadel Indiga PWR 26 Padel Racket — ₹9,099
- LOK Be Flow Gen 2 Padel Racket — ₹11,199
- Asics Sonicsmash FF Padel Shoes — ₹11,899
Related reading
- Padel vs Pickleball in India: Which Racquet Sport Should You Try?
- Padel Bags and Accessories: A Buying Guide for India
- Monsoon Padel in India: Why the Rainy Season Is Indoor Court Season
Frequently asked questions
Is padel part of the Asian Games 2026?
Yes. Padel features on the programme at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which run from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
What padel racket should a beginner in India buy?
A round-shape, control-oriented racket with a low balance point. It has the largest and most central sweet spot, which is what a new player needs. Round rackets suitable for ranked club play start around ₹6,499 in India.
Can I use tennis shoes for padel?
You can, but padel is played on sand-dressed artificial turf where a clay-style or hybrid outsole grips better and allows a controlled slide. Running shoes are the worst choice, since their soles are built for straight-line motion.
