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Padel Pandemonium: Affluent Brits Revolt Against Noisy Racket Sport
25 Oct
Summary
- Padel, a fast-growing racket sport, causing noise complaints in UK neighborhoods
- Residents compare sound to "gunshots" and say they can't enjoy their gardens
- Proposed acoustic barriers seen as ineffective "Great Wall of China"
As of October 2025, the padel craze has swept across the UK, with the number of courts skyrocketing from just 15,000 in 2019 to over 400,000 today. While the sport has captivated celebrities and royals, it is also causing a major headache for many affluent residents living near these new padel facilities.
In several towns and suburbs, homeowners are up in arms over the constant noise and disruption from padel players. Residents near clubs in Winchester, Hampshire and Harrogate have compared the sound of the ball hitting the rackets to "gunshots" and "rifle shots", saying the noise starts early in the morning and continues well into the evening. Some say they can no longer enjoy their own gardens due to the "appalling" racket.
Attempts to mitigate the problem, such as building tall acoustic barriers, have been met with skepticism, with one resident likening it to constructing a "Great Wall of China." There are also concerns that the noise will negatively impact wildlife and new housing developments near the courts.
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Despite the backlash, padel's popularity continues to soar, with the Lawn Tennis Association investing over £6 million into the sport's growth across Britain. As the number of players exceeds 400,000, the battle between padel enthusiasts and disgruntled neighbors seems far from over.
