How much does padel cost? The full budget to get started
Padel has a reputation for being affordable, and that is true compared with other sports. But between court rental, gear and possible lessons, how much should you really budget to get started? Here is a detailed, honest breakdown, from the first try to the regular player, so you know what to expect.
The cost of a game: court rental
This is the main, recurring expense. In padel, you rent a court for four, which splits the bill.
- Court price: usually €24 to €44 for 90 minutes, depending on the club, time slot and indoor/outdoor.
- Per player: so expect €6 to €12 per person for 90 minutes of play.
- Off-peak slots (mornings, early afternoons) are often cheaper.
That is the real day-to-day cost of padel: a hobby under €10 a session at most clubs.
Starter gear
The racket
- Club rental: €3 to €5 to tide you over for the first few tries.
- First purchase: a good beginner racket costs €60 to €120. No need to aim higher at the start. See our guide on how to choose a padel racket.
The shoes
- A suitable pair costs €50 to €120. This is a piece not to overlook, to avoid ankle sprains. Our guide on how to choose padel shoes covers the criteria.
The balls
- A tube of 3 balls costs €6 to €9. Balls wear out: budget a tube every few games if you provide them.
The outfit
- Sports shorts and a t-shirt you already own will do. No mandatory spend here.
The budget to start (first time)
For a very first try, buying nothing:
- Court rental (share): ~€8
- Racket rental: ~€4
- Total: about €12 to discover padel.
It is one of the cheapest sports to try.
The full equipment budget
To kit yourself out properly from the start:
- Beginner racket: ~€90
- Shoes: ~€80
- Tube of balls: ~€7
- Total: about €180 of gear, reusable for one to two years.
A regular player's budget (per month)
For someone who plays once a week:
- 4 games / month ×
€8 = **€32 / month** in rental. - Balls: ~€7 / month if you provide them occasionally.
- Monthly budget: about €35 to €40, excluding amortised gear.
That is a complete sporting hobby for the price of a streaming subscription or two cinema tickets a month.
Lessons: an optional but useful cost
- Group lesson: €15 to €25 per session.
- Private lesson: €40 to €60 per hour.
A few lessons early on clearly speed up progress, but they are not mandatory. Many players learn by playing and varying partners.
How to reduce the cost of padel
- Play off-peak: cheaper courts.
- Always share for four: never book a court for two if you can avoid it.
- Find partners easily so you never cancel for lack of players, an app like Padeligo lets you complete a game in seconds.
- Buy suitable, affordable gear: a mid-range racket lasts for years.
FAQ
How much does a game of padel cost?
Between €6 and €12 per player for 90 minutes, since the court (€24 to €44) is shared for four. Off-peak slots are often cheaper.
Do I need to buy gear to start padel?
No. You can rent a racket at the club (€3 to €5) and play in sports shoes you already own. A first try costs about €12.
What monthly budget to play padel regularly?
About €35 to €40 per month for one game a week, with the court shared for four and balls included, once the gear is amortised.
Is padel an expensive sport?
No, it is one of the most accessible racket sports, because the court cost splits for four. Trying it costs about ten euros, and playing regularly comes to under €40 a month.
Conclusion
Padel is an economical sport as soon as you share the court for four: around ten euros a game, about €180 to equip yourself for the long term, and under €40 a month to play every week. The main barrier is not money, then, but finding available partners. Download Padeligo to complete your games in seconds and get value from every booking.