If you have been meaning to try padel but keep putting it off, you are in good company, and Manchester is a good place to finally do it. Women's padel here has grown quickly, with ladies-only sessions, beginner socials and mixed groups popping up across the city. You do not need any experience, any special kit or a partner lined up. You just need to turn up once.
Why padel is so welcoming for women
Padel has a reputation for being friendly, and it is deserved. A few reasons stand out.
First, it is genuinely easy to start. The court is small, the walls keep the ball in play, and the racket is short and forgiving. That means rallies happen in your very first session, not after months of lessons. Nothing puts people off a new sport faster than never hitting the ball, and padel rarely does that to you.
Second, it is always doubles, so it is sociable by design. You are on court with three other people, chatting between points, and it never feels like you are being scrutinised alone. The atmosphere at most sessions is relaxed and encouraging rather than competitive.
Third, padel does not reward raw power the way some racket sports do. Placement, teamwork and touch matter more than how hard you can hit. That levels the playing field and makes it a great sport to improve at through cleverness rather than brute strength.
Ladies sessions and socials
A lot of Manchester clubs run women-only sessions, and they are one of the easiest ways in. These usually fall into a few types. Beginner ladies sessions are pitched at people who have never picked up a racket, with a coach walking you through the basics in a low-pressure group. Ladies socials or mix-ins are for players who can already rally a bit and just want games sorted for them, so you rock up alone and get put into matches. And regular ladies club nights become the weekly fixture that a lot of women build their padel around.
Sessions come and go and clubs add new ones often, so the best move is to check our events page for what is running, and look at individual clubs on the venues page to see which ones have women's programmes. If you would rather learn with a bit of structure, several of the people on our coaches list run women's beginner blocks.
How to actually start
Keep it simple. You do not need to buy anything to begin. Most clubs hire out rackets for a few pounds, so borrow one for your first go and see if you enjoy it before spending. Wear normal sports kit and trainers with decent grip. When you are ready to get your own gear, our racket finder and shoe finder take the guesswork out of it, and what to wear and bring for your first game covers the practical bits.
Book onto a beginner session or a social rather than a private court for your first time. You will be with other people at your level and someone will show you what to do. If you are nervous about going alone, bring a friend, but honestly, plenty of women turn up solo to socials and leave with new playing partners.
Mixed play and finding a group
Ladies sessions are a lovely way in, but plenty of women play mixed too, and mixed games are some of the most fun you will have on a padel court. There is no reason to stay in women-only play once you feel comfortable, and mixing up who you play with is the fastest way to improve.
The thing that keeps most people playing is having a group. Once you have a few names in your phone who are up for a game, padel goes from a one-off to a habit. If you do not know anyone yet, that is exactly what find a partner is for, matching you with players near you and at your level. And if you are starting completely from scratch, the getting started guide walks you through everything.
The hardest part really is just booking the first session. Once you have laughed your way through ninety minutes of rallies and terrible smashes with three other people, you will understand why so many women in Manchester now build their week around it.
FAQ
Do I need a partner to join a ladies session?
No. Most ladies socials and beginner sessions are designed for people turning up alone, and games get organised for you. You will meet other players there.
I have never played any racket sport. Is padel too hard?
Not at all. Padel is one of the easiest racket sports to start because the walls keep the ball in play and rallies happen quickly. Beginner sessions assume you have never played.
What should I wear for my first session?
Normal sports kit and trainers with good grip are fine to start. You can borrow a racket from most clubs, so there is no need to buy anything yet.
Where do I find women's sessions in Manchester?
Check our events page for current sessions and the venues page for clubs that run women's programmes. Sessions change often, so it is worth looking regularly.