Padel has been one of the fastest-growing sports in the Czech Republic in recent years, and Prague is no exception, according to search data we monitor, it is one of the most sought-after racket sports in the city. If you have only heard about padel from friends or seen a video on social media and want to try it too, this is a brief guide on what you need to know before your first booking.
What is padel and why is it growing so fast
Padel is a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash. It is played almost exclusively in doubles, two against two, on a court largely enclosed by glass or mesh walls. The ball may rebound off the wall and remain in play, making padel a more dynamic yet accessible sport than classic tennis. The court is smaller, serves are underarm, and after just a few lessons you can manage a decent rally.
Why is one padel club after another opening in Prague? It is a sport that plays well in pairs or groups, does not require years of training to be enjoyable, and a four-player match is primarily a social affair. The courts are also usually covered, so play can take place year-round regardless of the weather.
Is padel suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons padel attracts people who otherwise play no racket sports. A smaller court means shorter sprints, an underhand serve is easier to learn than a tennis overhead serve, and the rebound off the wall gives you a second chance even where a tennis ball would end up out of play. The result is that complete beginners can play a meaningful rally after just a few hours and focus more on tactics than on basic stroke technique. Physically, padel is more demanding than it looks, but you largely control the pace of the game yourself, compared to squash or fast badminton, it is much gentler on a beginner's fitness.
What to bring to your first training session
For your first booking with friends, no special equipment is required:
- Sportswear as for tennis or squash: t-shirt, shorts or leggings.
- Hall shoes or trainers with non-marking soles, universal hard-court sports shoes are ideal; avoid running shoes with prominent treads.
- Padel racket, if you do not own one, many centres offer on-site rental. It is worth confirming this when booking so you are not left without equipment at the court.
- Water and towel: padel is more physically demanding than it first appears.
Approximate cost of padel in Prague
In the overview we maintain on sportovistepraha.cz, there are currently nine padel centres in Prague, with hourly court fees ranging approximately from 300 to 600 Kč. This is typically the price for the entire court, not per person, when split between four players, it works out significantly cheaper. For reference:
- Padel Unregulated (Prague 12 - Písnice) lists prices from 300 Kč/h and is among the more affordable options.
- Padel Club Spoje (Prague 3 - Žižkov) and SK Slavia Prague Padel (Prague 10 - Vršovice) rates fall in the mid-range, approximately 350-500 Kč/h.
- Padel Powers In Smíchov and Letňany, these are among the more expensive centres, with prices reaching around 600 Kč/h during peak hours.
Prices are taken from our own overview of padel courts in Prague, updated for 2025/2026, always verify the exact current price directly with the operator.
The price usually varies by time of day, morning and mid-morning slots tend to be cheaper than the evening peak between 17:00 and 21:00, when it is also hardest to find an available court.
How to book a court
Most padel centres in Prague operate via their own online booking systems on the club website, links to individual venue websites can be found in our overview of padel courts in Prague. As demand for padel is growing faster than new courts are being added, it pays to book in advance, especially if you wish to play in the evening or at weekends.
When making your first booking, it is worth checking two further things: cancellation terms (many clubs charge a fee if you cancel at the last minute) and whether payment is required online in advance or on site. For more popular courts, you may also encounter a waiting list, if your preferred time slot is fully booked, it is worthwhile asking the club to notify you should a slot become available.
If you are not sure whether padel is right for you, read our Comparison of padel, squash and badminton - helps you choose a sport based on physical demands and budget. If you are interested in how prices compare for other sports in Prague, check out the overview. How much does sports in Prague cost?.