Parents in the U.S. start signing their kids up for soccer as early soon as they can kick a ball. Ted Lasso has garnered 25 billion viewing minutes since it was released in 2020.

But soccer was not always a widespread sport in the U.S. It’s now viewed as the world’s most popular sport.

Fast forward to the state of Padel today.

No, it’s not paddleball or paddle tennis. It’s a racquet sport that has its roots in Mexico in the 1960s and is making its way around the globe. It’s been featured in the The Washington Post and The New York Times. Like soccer in its early days, it has its global “rockstars” (pros) and specific media outlets and Instagram fans and influencers.

Like pickleball, it’s played with paddles and a net, but like racquetball, the court is surrounded by walls, accelerating gameplay and creativity of movement.

Miami is currently the epicenter of Padel in the U.S., but courts are being built throughout the country from coast to coast, including California, Texas, New York, and even Oklahoma. Technologies are emerging so that Padel players can find courts and other players from wherever they are. (You’ll see many of these apps at RacquetX.)

Three Padel courts fit into the footprint of one tennis court, which may facilitate its expansion, especially as construction costs come down along with the growth of the game. The International Padel Federation (FIP) aspires to have Padel included in the 2032 Summer Olympics.

But you don’t have to wait that long to learn about Padel or to play a demo match.

We’re building 4 courts inside the Miami Beach Convention Center so you can watch and play the game! Plus, our sponsors will showcase what’s new and next in the industry — technologies that help you find a court and improve your game, the latest in equipment, and fashion (including footwear), and tips from experienced padel players.

Plus, investors will be speaking about why they are putting their funds into the sport.

So, just as soccer ultimately took the sports world by storm, we at RacquetX expect padel to grow across the U.S. within the next five years.

And that’s echoed by Craig Thomson, CTO of Mindspring Sport:

“I have worked in soccer around the world from Chile to Canada to Kazakhstan, as well as being one of the founders of the now-famous European Champions League. On my travels, the new sport I see everywhere is Padel. It’s a sport everyone can play as it’s easy to learn, very social, and lots of fun. Many people say it is the fastest growing sport in the world, although, like soccer years ago, it is just emerging in the U.S. I believe Padel is going to grow very quickly in the U.S. now, like it seems to do everywhere it gets a foothold.”

You don’t need to be Padel curious any more. Join us in Miami and see for yourself!

Register now for RacquetX and you’ll automatically have viewing access to the National Padel League (NPL) X-Clubs Tournament, which features select Miami-based padel players competing against each other.