Pickleball and padel's fashion revolution A new frontier where style meets sport
In recent years, racquet sports have evolved into status symbols. Beyond tennis, two disciplines are carving out a leading role on the global stage—not just athletically, but culturally and fashion-wise. We’re talking about pickleball and padel, two sports poised not only to grow in numbers but to redefine how we think about sportswear. Top-loved brands are taking notice, stepping onto the court with dedicated lines, strategic partnerships, and collections designed to bring fashion to every corner of the game.
Pickleball: An Intergenerational Sport in the USA
In the U.S., pickleball is the ultimate intergenerational sport. Moms, dads, kids, and grandparents share the same net—and the same passion. This isn’t a trivial detail, because the culture that forms around a mass sport drives the market, and brands know it well. Globally, its expansion is rapid and unstoppable. In the States alone, it’s estimated that by 2030 over 40 million people will play pickleball—not just as a hobby, but as a daily passion.
At the heart of this revolution is a brand that experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in the US: Centerline Athletics. In a short time, Centerline has become the official partner of major Pickleball organizations, enjoying an impressive sales growth (+437% year over year). This isn’t just sportswear anymore; it’s a statement of style and belonging. Breathable fabrics that manage moisture, advanced ventilation to stay cool during long sessions, and technical zones that control sweat when you need it most. Garments designed to perform, crafted to become part of a new urban sports culture. And Centerline isn’t the only rising star.
Sporty Fashion: From Racquets to Sneakers
When a phenomenon goes mainstream, it's inevitable that major brands look into it. This is exactly what’s happening with pickleball: brands like Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Wilson, and Babolat are investing in lines, shoes, and apparel specifically designed for the sport. Nike, in particular, has expanded its offering with lightweight pickleball footwear engineered for the fast lateral movements typical of the game, while adidas has developed collections with sustainable fabrics, integrating its eco-friendly philosophy into the racket world.
Wilson, the iconic American brand, has complemented its classic tennis lines with sport-specific apparel, leveraging decades of expertise in athletic design. Babolat, meanwhile, has extended its already broad range of racquets and strings—once exclusively tennis and badminton—positioning itself as one of the traditional brands most ready to transition. The result? A fusion of performance and style that goes beyond the court: pickleball sneakers are no longer just sports shoes, but potential streetwear must-haves, while shirts, skorts, and jackets reflect a new sporty aesthetic, urban and intuitively chic.
Padel: Performance, Style, and Social Life
As pickleball explodes in the US and makes its way through Europe, padel continues to consolidate its position as a social and fashion-forward sport globally. Millions of players worldwide are fueling an increasingly sophisticated market for equipment and apparel. Brands like Quad bring an aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on quality or style, combining high performance with technical elegance—like sports couture. Not to mention other key players such as On or Lacoste, stepping onto the padel scene. This blending of fashion and sport is no accident. For padel, as for pickleball, where the social club environment matters as much as the match itself, apparel has become a way of expressing oneself. Elegant yet competitive, chic yet functional.
Fashion as the New Playing Field
What does all this mean? Pickleball and padel are no longer just emerging sports—they are cultural platforms. Not only as disciplines or competitions, but as living, vibrant aesthetics. The racquet becomes a coveted lifestyle accessory, technical tops are worn off the court, and dedicated sneakers emerge as a new style icon. While in the U.S. or India pickleball is evolving from curiosity to mass phenomenon, in Europe and Italy the sport is just starting to gain attention. But when it does, will you be ready with a Nike or adidas tracksuit? A Centerline polo? Counrt&Co., Joola, or an elegant padel skort that can be worn beyond the net? One thing is certain: the future of pickleball and padel will be wearable, shareable, and profoundly fashion-forward.
