Play off the glass.Padel is here at Boston College.
The Boston College Padel Club is for anyone who wants to learn, practice, and compete in one of the world's fastest-growing racket sports. New players and experienced players are equally welcome.
Tap the court to aim the next shot. After a bounce, the ball stays in play when it comes off the glass.
A racket sport built for long rallies
Padel mixes the strokes of tennis with the wall play of squash. It's played almost always in doubles, on a court smaller than a tennis court and enclosed by glass and mesh.
Because the walls keep the ball in play, points last longer and reward placement over power. That makes padel easy to pick up and hard to master: beginners can enjoy real games in their first session, while experienced players keep finding new angles.
The sport began in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, took off in Spain and Argentina, and is now spreading fast across Europe and the United States.
- Doubles
- Two players per side, nearly always.
- Underhand serve
- Bounce the ball, then hit it at or below the waist.
- Tennis scoring
- 15, 30, 40, game, then sets.
- Solid racket
- No strings, a perforated face, and a ball like a tennis ball.
Explore the court
Padel is not paddle
In New England, "paddle" usually means platform tennis, a winter sport played outside on a raised deck. The names sound alike, but the courts, balls, and rules are different.
| Feature | Padel | Paddle (platform tennis) |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Glass back walls with glass and metal mesh on the sides | Tight wire screens about 12 feet high |
| Court | 10 × 20 m (about 33 × 66 ft) turf court on the ground | 20 × 44 ft playing area on a raised aluminum deck |
| When and where | Year-round, often indoors | Outdoors, mostly in fall and winter, with a heated deck |
| Ball | Pressurized ball similar to a tennis ball | Spongy rubber ball with a flocked surface |
| Serve | Underhand after a bounce, with two attempts | Usually overhand, with one attempt |
| Origins | Acapulco, Mexico, 1969 | Scarsdale, New York, 1928 |
| Governing body | International Padel Federation (FIP) | American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) |
Can you tell them apart?
Six quick facts. Pick the sport each one describes.
How a point works
Five things to know before your first game. Scoring works just like tennis.
What the club does
We run regular practices and structured play so every member improves, and we build a community around the sport on campus.
Practices
Regular sessions on the fundamentals: grips, footwork, wall play, and doubles positioning. Experienced members work alongside newer players so everyone gets better together.
Structured play
Round robins, a skill-based ladder, and friendly matches give members of every level real games to play and a way to track their progress over the semester.
Community
Social events and group outings to courts in the Boston area help members meet partners, share the sport, and grow padel at Boston College.
Our mission is to introduce the Boston College community to padel, help members grow in a supportive environment, and build a lasting home for the sport on campus.
Find where to start
Answer three questions and we'll suggest the kind of session that fits you best. Everyone is welcome at every session, so treat this as a guide.
Questions
Do I need any experience?
No. Most people have never held a padel racket before they try it. Practices start with the basics, and tennis, squash, or pickleball players usually feel at home quickly.
Do I need my own racket?
You don't need one to try the sport. Get in touch before your first session and we'll let you know what to bring.
Where do we play?
Padel needs a dedicated glass court, so sessions take place at a padel facility rather than on campus tennis courts. See the location in the details below.
Is there a cost?
Court time costs money, so the club may collect dues to cover rentals and equipment. Any dues are shared with members before they commit.
Is padel hard to learn?
It's one of the easiest racket sports to start. The court is small, the serve is underhand, and the walls keep rallies going, so beginners get real games right away.
Who can join?
Any Boston College student, at any level. Come to learn, to compete, or just to play with friends. You can also find us alongside hundreds of other clubs in the BC student organizations directory on MyBC.
Join the club
Get in touch
Email us or send a message on Instagram so we can add you to the member list and updates.
Come to a session
Show up to a practice in athletic clothes and court shoes. We'll pair you with players at your level.
Keep playing
Join the ladder, sign up for round robins, and come to club socials as often as you like.